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The Curse of Muziris



Book Review

Title: The Curse of Muziris

Author: Hamish Morjaria

Publisher: Pan, New Delhi, 2024

Pages: 444

 

As the blurb claims, this book is a “historical thriller.” It keeps us on tenterhooks till the end.

There was regular trade taking place between the Roman Empire and ancient India. The ancient port of Muziris, today’s Kodungalllur in Kerala, was a major trading centre between India, Rome, Egypt, and West Asia, especially from 1st century BCE to 5th century CE. It is believed that Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, landed in Kerala along with the Roman traders in 52 AD. Hamish Marjoria’s debut novel weaves a gripping suspense thriller with ancient Muziris and some modern researchers. The Vatican’s secret police, Santa Alleanza, is involved adding much spice to the plot, in addition to all the spice that was transported from Kerala to Rome.

Jayesh is the richest businessman in Muziris of 1st century CE. He has personal connections with the Roman traders. Even the Emperor is forced to take interest in Jayesh who becomes the virtual king of Muziris. The Romans are portrayed as brutal killers in the novel. Jayesh’s life is under threat many times, particularly because Rome owes him much money. In the end, the sum owed becomes so much that Rome decides not to pay it. Jayesh strikes a deal with Emperor Vespasian: the debt will be waived in exchange for the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object of ancient Israel’s worship. It was believed to be the earthly throne or dwelling place of God. It contained the two stone tablets that Yahweh gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, along with Aaron’s rod and a pot of manna. It was placed in the Holy of Holies inside the Tabernacle until it was shifted to Solomon’s Temple. Only the High Priest could ever approach it, and that too only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

No one knows what happened to the Ark when the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s Temple in 586 BCE. This Ark becomes the Holy Grail in Morjaria’s novel. Harveen Gill, young archaeologist is on its quest, perilously so because it carries a curse with it. First of all, it is not supposed to be carried outside Jerusalem. Secondly, none other than the Jewish High Priest can go anywhere near it once a year.

How did Jayesh manage to get it to Muziris? What happened to it then? Thomas the Disciple plays a big role in this part of the novel. Santa Alleanza of the Vatican is involved murderously because the very foundation of Papacy can be shaken if the Ark is located elsewhere and also certain truths about Thomas are revealed to the faithful.

Amish Tripathi’s statement, given on the blurb, that this is the best historical thriller after Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code may be bit of an exaggeration. Brown’s narrative devices were credible. His plot was perfect. Morjaria’s plot has a deus ex machina appearing too many times. The role of Santa Alleanza isn’t convincing at all. The climax leaves us with much disenchantment.

The book is a page-turner, undoubtedly. An ideal read if you love suspense, historical thrillers, and mystery. Good for passing time during a long journey.

If I give ten-on-ten rating to The Da Vinci Code, Muziris will get five-on-ten. Both the plot and the characterisation leave much room for improvement. But Morjaria is an excellent storyteller. This is his debut work. He promises to give us a lot more better works.

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Comments

  1. Liz A.October 22, 2025 at 5:09 AM

    It's told in an era that you don't often see in modern fiction, so that's a plus, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalOctober 22, 2025 at 8:35 AM

      That's true. In fact, Muziris itself may be new to a lot of people.

      Delete
  2. Jose D. MaliekalOctober 22, 2025 at 5:24 AM

    I got up seeing the cover page of the book, eager to read about a geographical curse on Kodungallur, which turned it into a non-port. But as your review unfolded and even before you gave it a lackadaisical 5, I, emotionally distanced myself from the book... Because the a-historicality of the book gripped me. After Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, I have vowed myself not to watch any so called historical cinemas, say, like Bahubali - II and other mushrooming historical films and historical novels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalOctober 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM

      Whatever history is here, it's almost the author's fantasy with a few real characters coming in and going out expediently. Brown had deep knowledge about his subject matter. And vivid imagination too.

      Delete
  3. Yamini MacLeanOctober 22, 2025 at 12:21 PM

    Hari Om
    Hmmmmmm... I began reading a series set in the same time frame, with the protagonist being Marcus Didius Falco (1st in series: The Silver Pigs, author Lindsey Davis). One had to suspend accepted knowledge to provide room for the invention. As you say entertaining and time-passing, but not earth-shifting! I never finised the series, as the tales grew increasingly daft. YAM xx

    ReplyDelete

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