The focal point of this paper is to critically analyze the novel by Deepak Chopra named ‘The return of Merlin: a novel’ published by Harmony Books in 1995. This text is a story set in modern-day Somerset, England, and tells the tale of relations between two constables, Katy Kilbride and Arthur Callum, and their approach towards a murder mystery that directs towards Arthurian lore. Here the story of King Arthur, Merlin, and the evil Mordred takes shape with a mystery linked in the distant past.
Chopra is an Indian Ayurvedic holistic guru who has written several best sellers. Here too, he is seen engaging medicinal details within the parameters of the story with rather complex grafting techniques. The approach is helped by the legends of Arthur and the royal knights like Lancelot and Guinevere. Alongside the author incorporates several popular mysteries like spells, dreams, Excalibur- Arthur’s sword, Holy Grail, stone circles and sacrilege, Tarot cards, magic, and dragons. The book is a journey of murder and mystery to spirituality and hope at the end. However, the flavor of the book is more suited for corporate self-help text rather than pure literary patronage.
The plot is set in the format of good and evil and simple black and white characters. These characters go into battle to behold the ultimate victory of the good. However, all these affairs are well-knitted with splinters of wit and garnishing of insights leading to spiritual elaborations. It speaks of trust, hope, and other humane qualities that draw parables of simple notations like light touch and daylights. This is the journey of the human soul through ignorance and hate through fear and darkness that ultimately reaches the zenith of awareness, empathy, love, and trust. All these elements are present in the text but a rather simplistic manner. The entire concept appears to be a made easy formula of human dignity and the journey towards spirituality. It should be mentioned that the author’s perception of the storytelling is brilliant and bold and consist of new interpretations of the Arthurian lore. However, it is particularly dependent on eastern philosophy juxtaposed with the quantum physics-related perception of the universe that is fundamentally temporally interconnected. It should be stated that is a completely new modern-day idea that is well blended with the ancient mythology of King Arthur.
It should be mentioned that whatever it is to the critics or the ardent followers, on a personal level and in the general sense it would be very safe to mention that though this is criticized apparently from various territories in the ultimate sense it is a well-written book which has been a great success in the context selling and making business worldwide. To me, the context where the book, ‘The return of Merlin: a novel’, could be best applicable is when one corporate house is going through a complete change or reconstruction and there is an immediate need for a morale boosting tool. This book serves the purpose and not only that this book serves the purpose with “a spoon full of sugar” to get the needed “medicine go down” and yes- it is “in the most delightful way”. Sure, I would recommend such a book to all my friends, known and semi-known persons.
Bibliography
Chopra, Deepak. The return of Merlin: a novel. New York: Harmony Books, 1995.