Book Title: The Buddha of The Brothel
Author: Kris Advaya
Total Number of Pages: 336
Publisher: Fingerprint Publishers
Publication Date: 20 Sep 2017
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Non-fiction / Biography
BLURB
When Kris made a trip to India to study Ayurvedic massage, he never thought he would find love, adventure, and heartbreak. Traumatised by the loss of his friend and army abuses, Kris came to India practicing meditation and chastity, but both efforts were turned head over heels when he caught sight of Radha, a sex worker in Pune’s notorious red-light district.
Before he knew it, Kris was wrapped up in the world of pimps and crime lords, losing his hold on the life he had been pursuing and all the dreams of stability he had once built in his head. To be with the woman who had stolen his heart away, a life-altering decision awaited.
A true story, The Buddha of the Brothel is a poignant look into the world of godmen, spiritual seekers, and the men and women whose lives are ruled by the sex market and its overlords. Advaya’s account, written in refreshingly sparkling prose, is by turns anguished, humorous, hopeful, and bewildered, as he wades through a world he had never expected to encounter.
Sure to appeal to readers of Gregory Roberts’s Shantaram with its less than glittering setting, this is a literary memoir that opens readers’ eyes and minds and will not let go easily of their imaginations.
REVIEWED BY SOHINEE DEY
Since this book is categorised under Non-fiction, when I first came across this book, I thought that it would constitute of the lives of sex workers, how they are trapped into this business and how the whole red light area thing works. I thought that book would have that expository style where the author informs us about their lives with facts and figures. What I didn’t think was it would be a combination of fiction and the author’s own experience.
Though this book is not completely a personal account of the author, he does include some true to life events which he had come across during his trip to India. Kris Advaya who takes a break from his regular life visits India to study Ayurvedic Massage. What he didn’t saw coming was falling for Radha who worked in the red light district of Pune. We all know the issues related to sex market. It’s not a safe business neither is a healthy one. Soon, Kris Advaya finds himself crossing paths with the lecherous underground people associated with drug dealings, murders and other such merciless crimes.
The languid flow of the narrative made the book all the more enjoyable. The author hadn’t tried to paint India with dark colours. Yes, he was tormented and even baffled at the situations these women have to live through every day but moreover he questioned his findings. He has opted for a writing style which isn’t heavy and complaining instead he uses humour, amazement, befuddlement and also at times he expresses his anguish. But, as he explores through India, he presents his thoughts with honesty and not in a controversial manner.
The relationship between Kris and Radha warmed my heart. The emotions were really strong. The language is simple but the presentation of the characters is what makes the book stand out in the non-fiction category.
I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking to explore India in a new light with a true gripping story to keep you company.
POESY IN CHRYSALIS RATING : 🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kris Advaya emerged from the void in Yugoslavia in the spring of 1976. After crawling his way through a stint in the military, and already multilingual, he spent five years studying French, Russian, and literature at the University of Ljubljana. Always artistic, he spent most of these years writing songs and abusing an electric guitar while playing with his alternative rock band. Soon afterwards, life took him to India and its enticing ways, and he’s been trying to cure himself of nomadism ever since.
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Sohinee Reads & Reviews 
Something about that title, this looks like a lot of fun excellent review
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Yes, it was a non-fiction read yet it didn’t feel as if I was reading a non-fiction. You can definitely give this a go 🙂
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