If this book ... with a familiar theme

[Volcano1985]

If this book ___with a familiar theme--the Indian experience of the last 120 years-- then the writer____to it great power and deep understanding.

A) begun / has brought
B) has begun / brought
C) will begin / brings
D) were to bring/ had brought
E) begins/ brings

Could you explain me why the correct answer is E?

[Mister Micawber]

A is bad grammar.
B has inconsistent tenses
C is bad grammar
D has inconsistent tenses

In addition, all except E offer very odd viewpoints of a published book.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's