Far from the world of Bollywood’s unreal, commercial romances, Mansoor Khan travels through time and space to talk about ecological destruction and evolution in a philosophical yet contemporary manner. The master of storytelling remains true to his art—his unique approach to climate crisis, environmental degradation, ignorance, greed forces us to put on our thinking cap and question our extravagant and rampant use of natural resources.
One: The Story of the Ultimate Myth is a book within a book, a story within a story, layered with the many elements that make up our environment. Khan’s book takes us into the lives of two depressed and deranged people-Sonal and Abhay. Both are well educated and approach life differently from the normal perspective. Sonal was a sociology professor and activist; Abhay was a plant pathologist who engineered a new breed of rice, a genetically modified seed that would apparently have more nutrients. Along the passage of their work, their views changed and they saw the fatality of their path. Their sensitivity towards the environment is coupled with ethical and moral issues.
An award-winning film director, having wooed Indian audiences with four blockbuster movies, Mansoor Khan gave up the tinsel town life in 2003. He moved to Coonoor with his family and runs a farm where he makes cheese. His world is now soil and sky. His first book, The Third Curve (2013), focussed on world economy and the myths around economic growth.
It is through these two protagonists that we see the world where the borders between chaos and order have been demolished. As the story progresses, the voice of these protagonists is lost in the commercial bells. The story touches upon the complexity of the web of life and the beautiful cycle of Earth that has the power to rejuvenate itself. It reflects upon the loss of natural practices; it highlights the beauty of people who lived in sync with Nature.
The world is plagued by climate crisis. The United Nations has listed 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are supposed to be met by 2030, but the road is bleak. The human species with its different thoughts, three brains (reptilian, mammalian, neocortex) and other variations is meandering as it tries to change the course. For over half a century, the modern world has been running over the natural world, the ways of the tribes and the indigenous inhabitants. The result is chaos, separation, loss of habitat and haphazard lives in search of balance. They have broken the circle of life and Nature.
Khan has highlighted many issues in this book: mental wellbeing, the ability to listen to reason, the power of greed, the inability to see long-term, the viability of modern development, the inability to understand Nature and its ecosystem, the constant desire to add to your own needs and the imbalance that follows thereof. The need for collective action and how innovative thinking and practices are trodden upon, until the disastrous results reflect upon on a larger populace. Then the wheel of time moves again; the lost minds are lamented and their research delved into again.
The story reminds me of so many brilliant minds who did not see success in their lifetime, but their work has inspired others: artist Vincent Van Gogh, writer Ernest Hemingway, poet Mirza Ghalib. The list could go on, but eulogies and research have shown that somewhere, someone thought and tried to make a change, but failed. However, the cycle continued and someone else came and built the chain back. The evolution of the species and the galaxies is inevitable and only time is witness to this change.
The presentation style is unique, the characters sound familiar, the narrative sounds familiar, but the point is driven home hard. The book nails the crisis and makes us question our perceptions, learnings and the health of our home Earth.
Book Details
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Language: English
Hardcover:152 pages
Price: Rs 499
Famous movies directed by Mansoor Khan
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Josh (2000), Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Mansoor Khan is superstar Aamir Khan’s first cousin.
This review is part of the blogger outreach programme by Harper Collins India.The views expressed are my own.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Queen of Treasures 
The idea of a book within a book, with layered storytelling, is intriguing. It seems like a thought-provoking and engaging story. Will read it when I get a chance.
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Am sure you would enjoy the concept and the style.
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It’s remarkable how Khan weaves together themes of mental wellbeing, reason, greed, and the environment. A thought-provoking review indeed!
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I had no idea Mansoor Khan is a writer, that too an acclaimed one. He is Nasir Hussain’s son right? Lol… I’m talking like I know them personally… so much for bollywood gossip🤭. Anyway, lovely review Ambica. The content looks captivating, that aside I am curious to read this book also cuz of his filmy lineage…
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I was surprised too, this is his second book. It is a deep dive into ecology and creative style of doing that.
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hmmm…
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The book sounds so amazing and it addresses some of the important topics of our current society.
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I have read about Mansoor Khan’s cheese farm and organic lifestyle and we all have seen and appreciated his movies. The fact that this book has a challenging narration style and deals with ecological issues tells me that this book is surely worth a read.
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I didn’t know Mansoor Khan was an author too. The book sounds interesting. There are very few books talking about the environment. I will surely check it out. Thank you for sharing a detailed review.
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I was surprised as well to know that he wrote and such depth. 😊
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The plot of the book is inspired by the abuse of various natural resources by humans and the rampant environmental destruction that has resulted in the current ecological crisis. The story tries to make the readers take a break and think about the price that we and our children will be paying for breaking the circle of life and nature. The book is written in the form of a story within a story and despite this, the author has succeeded in keeping it extremely interesting and enlightening for the readers.The book is unique and a must-read for various reasons . It was a 5/5 read for me
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We seem to like the same books😊
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The book seems really interesting. Title caugt my attention for all. Will sure get my hands on it.
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Honestly, I have seen the book around but avoided picking it up due to a celebrity author. Reading your review, I am definitely going to check it out. It sounds intriguing.
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I was surprised as well. It turned out far better than what I expected.
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I was not aware that Mansoor Khan is a writer. I haven’t read any of his works so far. but now, after reading your review, I think I must pick this one up. Thank you.
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Mansoor Khan is writer too . Surprised to me. Because I know he is director. Your book review is captivating. It has so many layers, specially environment. I will going to read it.
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It was a surprise for me as well. And a deep writer too.
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Sounds an interesting read especially makes up understand what is our responsibility towards nature.
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Nature related how it is abused. Something that we all should be reading. Seems like a good read.
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Environment and climate change is something I feel is a big cause of concern and I feel many dont care about it. A book written by Mr. Khan was something I did not expect, will surely check it out.
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Most unexpected for me as well
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two people with similar interests and similar field and how life unfold and the fact that mansoor khan bring related to Amir khan and how he is related to films the way you wrote makes the post even more interesting.
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The book is interesting for sure
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I got to know something new from your blog. The book sounds interesting. There are very few books talking about the environment. I will surely check it out. Thank you for sharing a detailed review.
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Happy to.know that this was something different for you.
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Your book review of “One: The Story of the Ultimate Myth” is insightful and engaging. You’ve captured the essence of the book’s themes and provided a compelling overview. Your review makes me eager to read the book. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 📚👏🌟
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Oh that title! It captivates a reader’s mind and get one curious on what the book is all about. One thing’s for sure, it’s not what you’ll anticipate it would be. Great book review! – MommyWithAGoal
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I wonder how this book skipped my radar. Mansoor Khan writing such a socially commited post which is dedicated to preserving the ecosystem is a shocker in itself. Probably his life in Koonoor has influenced the change in hin stance. Thaanks for introducing the book to me.
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I had attended his Book Launch. It was amazing… Now reading this book
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I had no idea that Mansoor Khan had made such a major career pivot. The book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the detailed review.
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