Budha.svamin tells the epic tale of the youthful exploits of prince Naravahanadatta. The reader is taken from royal palaces to flying sorcerers' mountain fastnesses via courtesans' bedrooms and merchant ships. A fast and witty narrative which provides a fascinating insight into ancient India.

Budha.svamin's The Emperor of the Sorcerers is a racy telling of the celebrated lost Indian narrative cycle The Long Story, framed by Nara.vahana.datta's magical adventures on his quest to become Emperor of the Sorcerers. It is indeed a great story, as its Sanskrit title declares. Epic in...