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वामन परत न आला
A very popular sci-fi story translated into different languages.
157 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
30 people are currently reading
583 people want to read
About the author
Jayant V. Narlikar
81 books129 followersJayant Vishnu Narlikar was an Indian astrophysicist and emeritus professor at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). His research was on alternative cosmology. Narlikar was also an author who wrote textbooks on cosmology, popular science books, and science fiction novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 27, 2013
Easily one of the best science-fiction novels to come out of India. Which is not saying much.
I read this in school (which was well over a decade back), and was really inspired to try my own hand at sci-fi. That did not work out well, but the story that inspired that endeavor has stayed with me since then. I didn't even know when I read the book who Naralikar was, but over the years as I have become more familiar with his work as one of India's best known astrophysicists, it has only added to the awesomeness of this book.
Even though I remember the story very clearly after all these years, the name of the book had escaped me, and so hadn't located the book on Goodreads so far. Was reading a Wikipedia article about one of those ancient civilizations, and it sparked this memory for some reason.
Unfortunately, can't locate this book at any of the sites offering books.
I read this in school (which was well over a decade back), and was really inspired to try my own hand at sci-fi. That did not work out well, but the story that inspired that endeavor has stayed with me since then. I didn't even know when I read the book who Naralikar was, but over the years as I have become more familiar with his work as one of India's best known astrophysicists, it has only added to the awesomeness of this book.
Even though I remember the story very clearly after all these years, the name of the book had escaped me, and so hadn't located the book on Goodreads so far. Was reading a Wikipedia article about one of those ancient civilizations, and it sparked this memory for some reason.
Unfortunately, can't locate this book at any of the sites offering books.
January 6, 2019
When I learnt that my childhood astrophysicist-hero Prof Narlikar had a wealth of science fiction stories in his scholarly repertoire, I couldn't wait to find a copy. After having read his more scientific textbooks, it's jarring to read The Return of Vaman. JVN makes his intention for the book clear at the beginning - sci-fi to him is a means of communicating scientific concepts to the layperson. If you're looking for a literary masterpiece or a space opera thriller, this is not for you. My edition also had a very interesting epilogue with JVN's thoughts on science communication.
That being said, I loved the little tidbits of science he packs into intelligible anecdotes and mythological parables. The plot is quite straightforward, yet suitably paced. The grounded Indian setting with its bureaucracy and government peons is a refreshing change to the sleek well-funded labs of Western sci-fi. My only complaint is the distinct lack of representation/stereotyping of women as delicate socialites who cannot wrap their minds around science. I'm not sure if it is misogyny on the author's part or a representation of social values of the time when this was written. Either way, this book certainly fills the void that is the genre of intelligent Indian science fiction.
That being said, I loved the little tidbits of science he packs into intelligible anecdotes and mythological parables. The plot is quite straightforward, yet suitably paced. The grounded Indian setting with its bureaucracy and government peons is a refreshing change to the sleek well-funded labs of Western sci-fi. My only complaint is the distinct lack of representation/stereotyping of women as delicate socialites who cannot wrap their minds around science. I'm not sure if it is misogyny on the author's part or a representation of social values of the time when this was written. Either way, this book certainly fills the void that is the genre of intelligent Indian science fiction.
April 30, 2021
Narlikar sets the tone of the book right in the first few pages (Preface).
The book does a very good job of introducing and explaining scientific theories (necessary to the plot) in an easier way for me (and keeping in mind that I am an Arts person through and through, I'd say that's pretty awesome). It does a very important job of discussing the concern of the scientific community and humanity as a whole surrounding Artificial Intelligence.
Considering the time that this book was written in- the setting, plot milestones, and themes, are well explored.
The pace of the book is neither constant nor intriguingly well-set. The final chapter of the book seems to be trying hard at making up for uneven narration that starts in the second part of the story. I liked reading the book knowing that it was written by a scientist, looking at science-fiction through the lens of a scientist has been fun for me.
I'd say that it is a one time read.
I think I would have loved reading this book more if I would have read it when I was a part of the 10-15 age group
You can find the translation of this book under the title- The Return of Waman.
The book does a very good job of introducing and explaining scientific theories (necessary to the plot) in an easier way for me (and keeping in mind that I am an Arts person through and through, I'd say that's pretty awesome). It does a very important job of discussing the concern of the scientific community and humanity as a whole surrounding Artificial Intelligence.
Considering the time that this book was written in- the setting, plot milestones, and themes, are well explored.
The pace of the book is neither constant nor intriguingly well-set. The final chapter of the book seems to be trying hard at making up for uneven narration that starts in the second part of the story. I liked reading the book knowing that it was written by a scientist, looking at science-fiction through the lens of a scientist has been fun for me.
I'd say that it is a one time read.
I think I would have loved reading this book more if I would have read it when I was a part of the 10-15 age group
You can find the translation of this book under the title- The Return of Waman.
October 20, 2022
DNFd around 80%
Like no. Please no. Maybe because I am a woman and all that but even beyond that the plot isn't impressive.
The plot seems right out of a movie script with all the tropes. It about a group of men and their different roles in building a robot Vaman from a technology they discovered.
We have like one female character and her only job is to pine for her husband and do everything for him like a dutiful wife without any dreams of her own. In the end she's used for a damsel in distress cliche and that's what made me stop immediately.
If things I mentioned above doesn't other you then the story might be for you.
Like no. Please no. Maybe because I am a woman and all that but even beyond that the plot isn't impressive.
The plot seems right out of a movie script with all the tropes. It about a group of men and their different roles in building a robot Vaman from a technology they discovered.
We have like one female character and her only job is to pine for her husband and do everything for him like a dutiful wife without any dreams of her own. In the end she's used for a damsel in distress cliche and that's what made me stop immediately.
If things I mentioned above doesn't other you then the story might be for you.
December 16, 2023
Marathi sci-fi as a sub-genre deserves more attention especially if the work is penned by one of the greatest scientific minds from Maharashtra. Enjoyed the plot and the characters. Writing is lucid as the author has tried to explain complicated mathematical and scientific concepts to the lay reader. Would've given a better rating if not for the slightly incoherent ending.
But this surely has spurred my interest enough to add other books of his to my list.
But this surely has spurred my interest enough to add other books of his to my list.
August 13, 2024
#bookreview
पुस्तकाचे नाव - वामन परत न आला
पुस्तक प्रकार - विज्ञानविषयक कादंबरी
लेखक - जयंत नारळीकर
प्रकाशन - मौज प्रकाशन गृह
मूल्य - १७५
पृष्ठ संख्या - १३३
डॉ. जयंत विष्णू नारळीकर. जागतिक विज्ञान क्षेत्रातील एक आघाडीचे आणि नावाजलेले नाव. नारळीकरांचे वैज्ञानिक क्षेत्रातील योगदान आपण सर्व जाणतोच पण त्यांच्या मराठी साहित्यातील योगदानाकडे आपल्याला कानाडोळा करता येणार नाही. मराठी साहित्यात अनेक प्रकार खूप मजबूतपणे हाताळले गेले आहेत त्यात विज्ञानविषयक लिखाण जरी कमी असले तरी ती कमी नारळीकरांनी आपल्या मुक्त आणि विशिष्ट अशा शैलीने भरून काढली आहे अस म्हणता येईल.
आधुनिक विज्ञानाच्या आधारावर भविष्यवेधी कल्पकतेने रचलेल्या मानवी जीवनातील संभाव्य घडामोडी डॉ. नारळीकर यांच्या कथा, कादंबऱ्यांमध्ये व्यक्त होतात. अशाचप्रकारे नारळीकरांच्या प्रतिभाविलासातून फुललेली, विज्ञानाच्या वस्तुनिष्ठ व भक्कम पायावर उभी असलेली, कल्पक कथासूत्रांमध्ये गुंफलेली, वरवर चकव्यासारखी वाटणारी पण तर्कशुद्ध विचारांचा चकित करणारा वेध घेणारी कादंबरी म्हणजे 'वामन परत न आला'
एकंदर बदलत्या कृत्रिम जगात वावरत असतानाची ही गोष्ट आहे. मानव जातीच्या वाढत्या अशा अपेक्षा आणि कृत्रिम रोबोट यांची ही गोष्ट. या रोबोट सोबत पुढे जाणारी ही कहाणी अनेक वळणं घेत पुस्तकाचे रहस्य उलगडते. नारळीकरांनी पुस्तकात हाताळलेल्या पात्रांवर मानवांच्या स्वभावाचा असर तर आहेच पण विज्ञान युगात घडू शकेल अशा विविध घटनांचा नकळत आणि अनपेक्षित असा प्रभावही आहे.वाढत्या कृत्रिमतेचा भाव,आभाव,परिणाम,दुष्परिणाम या साऱ्यांनी तयार केलेले कोतवाल पुस्तकात नक्कीच गुंतवून ठेवते पण हे सर्व असताना पुस्तकातील विनोदवादी विरंगुळा कायम राहतो त्यामुळे पुस्तक वाचकाला शेवटपर्यंत खिळवून ठेवते.
नारळीकरांच्या कल्पकतेच्या रसायनाने विज्ञानाच्या क्षेत्रातील माणसांचे भावविश्व, त्यातील नाट्यपूर्ण संघर्ष, त्यातील गूढ रहस्यमयता आणि मानवाच्या हिताची अंतिम मूल्यदृष्टी या सर्वांचे एकत्रित दर्शन देणारी ही कादंबरी आपण सर्वांनी वाचावी हेच आत्मनिवेदन.
- ©®गायत्री😇
पुस्तकाचे नाव - वामन परत न आला
पुस्तक प्रकार - विज्ञानविषयक कादंबरी
लेखक - जयंत नारळीकर
प्रकाशन - मौज प्रकाशन गृह
मूल्य - १७५
पृष्ठ संख्या - १३३
डॉ. जयंत विष्णू नारळीकर. जागतिक विज्ञान क्षेत्रातील एक आघाडीचे आणि नावाजलेले नाव. नारळीकरांचे वैज्ञानिक क्षेत्रातील योगदान आपण सर्व जाणतोच पण त्यांच्या मराठी साहित्यातील योगदानाकडे आपल्याला कानाडोळा करता येणार नाही. मराठी साहित्यात अनेक प्रकार खूप मजबूतपणे हाताळले गेले आहेत त्यात विज्ञानविषयक लिखाण जरी कमी असले तरी ती कमी नारळीकरांनी आपल्या मुक्त आणि विशिष्ट अशा शैलीने भरून काढली आहे अस म्हणता येईल.
आधुनिक विज्ञानाच्या आधारावर भविष्यवेधी कल्पकतेने रचलेल्या मानवी जीवनातील संभाव्य घडामोडी डॉ. नारळीकर यांच्या कथा, कादंबऱ्यांमध्ये व्यक्त होतात. अशाचप्रकारे नारळीकरांच्या प्रतिभाविलासातून फुललेली, विज्ञानाच्या वस्तुनिष्ठ व भक्कम पायावर उभी असलेली, कल्पक कथासूत्रांमध्ये गुंफलेली, वरवर चकव्यासारखी वाटणारी पण तर्कशुद्ध विचारांचा चकित करणारा वेध घेणारी कादंबरी म्हणजे 'वामन परत न आला'
एकंदर बदलत्या कृत्रिम जगात वावरत असतानाची ही गोष्ट आहे. मानव जातीच्या वाढत्या अशा अपेक्षा आणि कृत्रिम रोबोट यांची ही गोष्ट. या रोबोट सोबत पुढे जाणारी ही कहाणी अनेक वळणं घेत पुस्तकाचे रहस्य उलगडते. नारळीकरांनी पुस्तकात हाताळलेल्या पात्रांवर मानवांच्या स्वभावाचा असर तर आहेच पण विज्ञान युगात घडू शकेल अशा विविध घटनांचा नकळत आणि अनपेक्षित असा प्रभावही आहे.वाढत्या कृत्रिमतेचा भाव,आभाव,परिणाम,दुष्परिणाम या साऱ्यांनी तयार केलेले कोतवाल पुस्तकात नक्कीच गुंतवून ठेवते पण हे सर्व असताना पुस्तकातील विनोदवादी विरंगुळा कायम राहतो त्यामुळे पुस्तक वाचकाला शेवटपर्यंत खिळवून ठेवते.
नारळीकरांच्या कल्पकतेच्या रसायनाने विज्ञानाच्या क्षेत्रातील माणसांचे भावविश्व, त्यातील नाट्यपूर्ण संघर्ष, त्यातील गूढ रहस्यमयता आणि मानवाच्या हिताची अंतिम मूल्यदृष्टी या सर्वांचे एकत्रित दर्शन देणारी ही कादंबरी आपण सर्वांनी वाचावी हेच आत्मनिवेदन.
- ©®गायत्री😇
July 11, 2021
The story starts quite interesting with the discovery of an ancient civilization, 20000 years before our own. It becomes less credible that this civilization has accomplished a superior level of science and technology than our own. Extraterrestrials would have been more credible. Finally, the story dissolves in a badly told criminal story about a super-achieving mini-robot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
3.0*/5
This book was written in 1995!
The good-
It has a good concept and execution for newcomers to sci fi.
Short read.
The bad-
It has many characters so can make things tedious.
This book was written in 1995!
The good-
It has a good concept and execution for newcomers to sci fi.
Short read.
The bad-
It has many characters so can make things tedious.
December 29, 2025
Good one! The story is definitely rather simplistic, but told with an enthusiastic zeal. The twists are not very novel either, and the ending is kinda rushed. Overall, though, I kind of enjoyed it. It's not a great book or anything, but it's definitely a neat read.
February 8, 2018
One of my favourite Jayant Narlikar novels. A good story. It could have been longer, but is a great fast paced read nevertheless.
May 29, 2012
This book discusses a serious scientific concern about Artificial Intelligence. Though the plot was good, the narrative style was not so brilliant.
Want to read
January 15, 2015nice
August 22, 2025
One time read, first few pages captures ur attention, but after page 60, u feel a bit down, climax looks like a plot in the hindi movie
August 3, 2015
Nice book with nice concepts.
Just one thing the Title of book will tell u all the content of book...
But still writer give u all the thrill experience with sci fi concept
Just one thing the Title of book will tell u all the content of book...
But still writer give u all the thrill experience with sci fi concept
January 1, 2023
खतरनाक कादंबरी!!!
संपुर्ण कथानक वाचकाला पुढे काय होईल? याची आतुरता लावुन ठेवते.
यातील सर्वच पात्रे खरोखरची वाटतात.
संपुर्ण कथानक वाचकाला पुढे काय होईल? याची आतुरता लावुन ठेवते.
यातील सर्वच पात्रे खरोखरची वाटतात.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews