Anand Neelakantan is known for bringing fresh, often controversial perspectives to Indian mythology, and Many Ramayanas, Many Stories is no different. This book is not a retelling of the Ramayana in the traditional sense but an exploration of how the epic has been interpreted, adapted, and transformed across cultures, communities, and timelines.
What the Book Offers
Neelakantan presents multiple versions of the Ramayana, ranging from Valmiki’s original to Jain, Buddhist, Tamil, and Southeast Asian retellings. He highlights how each version reflects the values, beliefs, and political realities of the society that told it. This is one of the book’s biggest strengths—it challenges the notion that there is only “one” Ramayana and instead shows how the epic has evolved over the centuries.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is how it portrays characters differently in various versions. For instance, in some interpretations, Ravana is not the straightforward villain but a scholar and tragic hero. Sita, too, is depicted in multiple ways—sometimes as a silent sufferer, other times as an independent woman making her own choices. The book encourages readers to think about how history, religion, and culture shape the way we perceive these characters.
Writing Style
True to his style, Neelakantan presents these stories in an engaging, almost conversational manner. He avoids making the book a dry academic discussion and instead brings these different versions to life with his storytelling. While his writing is accessible, some readers may find his interpretations challenging, especially if they are deeply attached to a singular version of the Ramayana.
Who Should Read It?
This book is perfect for those who love reading Hindu mythology and those interested in comparative literature. However, if you prefer a single, structured narrative rather than an anthology of interpretations, this might not be the right fit for you. Also, those who view the Ramayana strictly from a religious standpoint may find some of the perspectives unsettling.
Final Thoughts
Many Ramayanas, Many Stories is a thought-provoking read that encourages discussions about how epics are shaped by the societies that tell them. It reinforces the idea that mythology is fluid, constantly changing, and open to interpretation. While some of the versions presented may not align with popular beliefs, they offer valuable insights into the diversity of storytelling traditions.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 — A compelling and well-researched book that challenges conventional narratives and expands our understanding of the Ramayana.
दिल्ली वर्ल्ड बुक फेयर में दिव्य प्रकाश दुबे जी से मिलना मेरे लिए किसी पुराने दोस्त से मिलने जैसा था। उनकी किताबें पढ़ते हुए जो एहसास होता है, वही एहसास उस मुलाकात में भी था—कुछ अपना-सा, कुछ छू जाने वाला। अब तक उनकी तीन किताबें पढ़ चुकी हूँ, और चौथी पढ़ने वाली हूँ। हर बार उनकी कहानियों में खुद को खोजने की कोशिश करती हूँ, और हर बार कुछ नया महसूस करती हूँ—एक हलचल, एक बदलाव, जिसे शब्दों में पिरोना आसान नहीं है।
जब दिव्य प्रकाश जी से मिली, तो उन्होंने मुझसे पूछा, “आप कहां की रहने वाली हैं?” मैंने तुरंत जवाब दिया, “जयपुर से,” और फिर आगे जोड़ दिया कि कुछ सालों से मैं गुरुग्राम में रह रही हूँ। लेकिन जब फेयर से वापस लौट रही थी, तो रास्ते भर यही सवाल मेरे दिमाग में घूमता रहा—”मैं आखिर कहां की रहने वाली हूँ?”
पिछले कुछ दिनों में कई लोगों से मुलाकात हुई—कुछ पुराने, कुछ नए। जो मुझे पहले से जानते थे, उन्हें मेरी पूरी कहानी मालूम थी, लेकिन जो नए थे, उन्होंने भी यही सवाल पूछा—”आप कहां से हैं?”
अगर सच कहूँ, तो मुझे खुद भी नहीं पता। क्या मैं उस जगह से हूँ जहाँ मेरा जन्म हुआ? या फिर जयपुर से, जहाँ मैंने अपनी ज़िंदगी के 22 साल बिताए? या फिर गुरुग्राम की, जहाँ पिछले ढाई सालों से खुद को समझने और अकेले जीने की कोशिश कर रही हूँ?
यह तस्वीर इंटरनेट से ली गई हैं।
गुरुग्राम में रहते हुए कभी-कभी लगता है कि मैं यहां बसती जा रही हूँ, लेकिन फिर जयपुर की गलियां याद आती हैं और लगता है कि असली घर वहीं है। लेकिन क्या घर सिर्फ़ एक जगह होता है? या वो लोग, वो रिश्ते, वो यादें होती हैं जो किसी जगह को ‘अपना’ बना देती हैं? जयपुर की गलियों में मेरी हंसी बसी है, लेकिन गुरुग्राम में मेरी खामोशियों ने भी ठिकाना ढूंढ लिया है। जब मैं कहती हूँ कि मैं जयपुर की हूँ, तो क्या मैं सिर्फ़ अपनी जड़ों की बात कर रही हूँ, या फिर उस शहर की, जिसने मुझे सबसे ज़्यादा बदला?
यह तस्वीर इंटरनेट से ली गई हैं।
अब जब दिमाग में यह सवाल आया, तो इसके साथ याद आई ज़ाकिर खान की इसी से जुड़ी हुई एक बात। किसी इंटरव्यू में उन्होंने कहा था—”जब आप अपना घर छोड़कर किसी और शहर जाते हैं, तो वह घर फिर वहां होता ही नहीं है। क्योंकि घर यादों में बसता है, एक सुरक्षा का एहसास होता है, एक कम्फर्ट, एक गर्माहट। एक उम्र के बाद आपका घर कहीं नहीं होता, आपको घर बनना पड़ता है। जहां भी रहो, वहीं अपना घर बना लो, क्योंकि अब घर कोई जगह नहीं, बल्कि लोग हैं। जब आप किसी और का घर बनोगे, तभी आपको भी अपना घर मिलेगा।”
उनकी यह बात दिल को छू गई। शायद यही वजह है कि मुझे अब भी थोड़ा सा सूनापन लगता है, क्योंकि मुझे मेरा घर अब तक नहीं मिला। और ना ही मैं किसी का घर बनी हूँ। मैं अब भी ढूंढ रही हूँ वो इंसान, जिसे मैं अपना घर कह सकूं, जिसका मैं घर बन सकूं, जिसके पास जाकर दिल को सुकून मिले, जिसको मेरे पास आके चैन मिले, जिससे घंटों बातें कर सकूं, जिसकी बातें मैं घंटों तक सुन सकूं। जिसके साथ कभी हंस लूं, तो कभी रूठ जाऊं। जिससे वो बातें कर सकूं, जो अब तक किसी से नहीं कही, जिसके साथ वक्त थम जाए और उसकी कोई गिनती ही न हो।
यह तस्वीर इंटरनेट से ली गई हैं।
ढूंढ रही हूँ ऐसा ही कोई एक इंसान। पता नहीं कब और कहां मिलेगा। शायद किसी मोड़ पर, किसी अनजान मुलाकात में, या फिर यूं ही चलते-चलते जिंदगी में आ जाएगा और मेरा घर बन जाएगा और मैं उसका।
देखो, बातों को कहां से कहां ले आई मैं! बातों का यही तो कमाल है—शुरुआत कहां से होती है और खत्म कहां पर, कभी पता ही नहीं चलता। लेकिन अब वापस मुद्दे पर लौटती हूँ, उसी सवाल पर, जिससे यह सब शुरू हुआ था—”मैं आखिर कहां की रहने वाली हूँ?”
यह तस्वीर इंटरनेट से ली गई हैं।
शायद इस सवाल का कोई तय जवाब नहीं होता। शायद हम सिर्फ़ एक जगह से नहीं, कई जगहों से जुड़े होते हैं। शायद हम सिर्फ़ उन्हीं शहरों के नहीं होते, जहाँ हमने वक़्त बिताया है, बल्कि उन रिश्तों के होते हैं, जिन्होंने हमें थाम लिया, जो हमारी कहानी का हिस्सा बने। अगर आपके पास इस सवाल का कोई जवाब हो, तो मुझे ज़रूर बताइए।
वैसे आप कहां के रहने वाले हैं?
This post is a part of Embrace The Native Blog Hop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai under #EmbaracetheNativeBlogHop & #EveryConversationMatters
Where am I from?
Meeting Divya Prakash Dubey at the New Delhi World Book Fair felt like reconnecting with an old friend. The warmth I’ve always found in his books was present in that conversation too—something familiar, something deeply moving. I’ve read three of his books so far and am about to start my fourth. Every time I read his stories, I find myself searching for pieces of me within them, and every time I walk away with a different feeling—an unsettling shift, a quiet transformation That is hard to put into words.
When I met Divya Prakash Ji, he casually asked, “Where are you from?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Jaipur.” Then I added, “But I’ve been living in Gurugram for the past few years.” It was just a simple question, a common introduction. But as I made my way back from the fair, that question kept echoing in my mind— Where do I truly belong?
Over the past few days, I met so many people—some familiar, some new. Those who already knew me had my story. But the new ones, they all asked the same thing— “Where are you from?”
Honestly, I don’t know the answer myself. Am I from the place where I was born? Or from Jaipur, where I spent twenty-two years of my life? Or am I now from Gurugram, where I’ve been trying to understand myself and navigate solitude for the last two and a half years?
Living in Gurugram, I sometimes feel like I’m beginning to settle in, like this place is becoming mine. But then, Jaipur’s streets come rushing back in my memories, and I wonder if that’s where my true home is. But is home just a place? Or is it the people, the relationships, the memories that make a place feel like home? My laughter still echoes in Jaipur’s streets, but my silences have also found a resting place in Gurugram. When I say I’m from Jaipur, am I talking about my roots? Or the city that shaped me the most?
This question reminded me of something Zakir Khan once said in an interview: “When you leave your home and move to a new city, that home ceases to exist in the same way. Because home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling of safety, comfort, and warmth. At some point, your home is no longer a physical space; you have to become a home. Wherever you are, create your own home. Because home is no longer a place, it’s people. When you become someone’s home, that’s when you’ll truly find your own.”
That thought struck me deeply. Maybe that’s why I still feel a little lost. Because I haven’t found my home yet. And maybe, I haven’t become a home for someone else either. I’m still searching for that one person—the one I can call home, the one who feels at peace with me, the one I can talk to for hours, whose words I can listen to endlessly. Someone I can laugh with, argue with, share the unspoken thoughts I’ve never voiced before with. Someone with whom time ceases to exist.
I don’t know where or when I’ll find that person. Maybe at an unexpected turn, in an unforeseen meeting, or just along the way, as life unfolds. Maybe one day, they’ll walk into my life, and just like that, they’ll become my home—and I, theirs.
See where this conversation has taken me? That’s the beauty of words—you never know where they’ll lead you. But let’s circle back to the question that started it all— Where do I truly belong?
Perhaps there’s no definite answer. Maybe we don’t belong to just one place, but to many. Maybe home isn’t just the cities we’ve lived in but the people who’ve held us close, the ones who’ve become a part of our story.
BOOK- Every Second a Sentence: Letters from Heart AUTHOR- Gayathri GENRE- Non-Fiction REVIEW- Every Second a Sentence by Gayathri is a heartfelt and reflective book that invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Through its simple yet profound writing, the book offers wisdom, comfort, and perspective for those navigating life’s complexities and seeking deeper connections with themselves.
The beauty of this book lies in its conversational tone, which makes it feel like a personal letter addressed to the reader. Gayathri’s writing is empathetic and warm, offering encouragement and practical advice without sounding preachy. She addresses a variety of themes, including self-love, emotional well-being, freedom, and personal growth, making the book relatable to a wide audience.
One of the most striking aspects of Every Second a Sentence is its simplicity. The language is accessible, yet the thoughts and ideas presented are thought-provoking and deeply resonant. Gayathri has a way of articulating emotions and experiences that feel universal, yet deeply personal. Her words encourage readers to pause, reflect, and reassess their lives, providing a gentle nudge toward self-awareness and mindfulness.
This is not a book that merely talks about abstract ideas; it encourages action. Gayathri provides practical insights and steps to help readers implement the wisdom she shares. From understanding the importance of self-care to navigating emotional challenges, the book is filled with tools and strategies that can be applied to everyday life.
The writing is filled with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the struggles of feeling lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected. It serves as a reminder that it’s okay to pause and take care of ourselves, that growth often comes from within, and that even small steps toward self-awareness can make a significant difference.
The universal appeal of this book makes it a perfect companion for readers at any stage of their lives. Whether you’re looking for guidance during a challenging time or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of yourself, Every Second a Sentence provides a thoughtful and comforting perspective.
Gayathri’s ability to weave together reflections and practical advice makes this book a standout. It’s not just about reading and understanding the ideas presented; it’s about integrating them into your life. The book encourages readers to embrace imperfection, prioritize self-love, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, Every Second a Sentence serves as a gentle reminder to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters. It’s a book that can be revisited time and again, offering new insights with each reading.
If you’re seeking a book that combines wisdom, comfort, and actionable advice, Every Second a Sentence is a must-read. It’s a heartfelt guide that encourages readers to approach life with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.
BOOK- Kum Jiyoung, Born 1982 AUTHOR- Cho Nam-Joo PUBLISHER- Simon & Schuster GENRE- Literary Fiction RATING- 5 ⭐ REVIEW- A woman’s life often seems to follow a similar pattern across different countries: we compromise, adjust, and sacrifice for a multitude of reasons, yet society judges us harshly. If we aspire to excel in our careers, we may have to sacrifice our family life. If we choose to prioritize our family, we often have to give up our career and dreams. If we attempt to juggle both, society labels us as selfish. Achieving a promotion at work might lead to accusations of having engaged in sexual favors. A simple smile towards a male colleague can be misinterpreted and labeled as an invitation for inappropriate behavior. No matter what we do, we are scrutinized by a patriarchal society, and unfortunately, we often judge and label each other as well.
These thoughts have lingered in my mind, but after reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, they came to the forefront.
The book narrates the life of Kim Jiyoung from birth to middle age. Kim Jiyoung lives in South Korea, where women face significant challenges. They are often regarded as less valuable than their male siblings and are expected to sacrifice their own needs for their brothers, who are treated as revered. Women frequently encounter obstacles such as inadequate education and sexual harassment, even when they manage to pursue their goals. Despite these struggles, women like Kim Jiyoung achieve their dreams, such as having a fulfilling career. However, once they marry, societal pressures push them towards family planning, and after having a child, their careers often come to a halt because they are expected to prioritize their family over work.
Sacrificing a hard-earned career is akin to relinquishing one’s identity. We do this to provide a better life for our children, yet this patriarchal society continues to judge us, branding us as lazy or opportunistic for choosing to stay at home and care for our family.
After giving birth to a daughter, Kim Jiyoung begins to exhibit unusual behavior. When her condition worsens, her loving and caring husband takes her to see a psychiatrist.
Cho Nam-Joo’s writing is poignant and accessible, making the complex issues of gender inequality relatable to a broad audience. The novel effectively voices the everyday struggles of women, broadening the discussion on gender issues beyond theoretical discourse.
Through Kim Jiyoung’s story, Cho Nam-Joo powerfully depicts the pervasive gender discrimination and societal expectations that shape the lives of many women. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a crucial and thought-provoking read that challenges readers to confront the realities of gender inequality. Cho Nam-Joo’s insightful portrayal of Kim Jiyoung’s life offers a compelling critique of societal norms and serves as a call to action for greater gender equity. The novel’s blend of personal narrative and broader social commentary makes it a significant contribution to conversations about women’s rights and social justice.
BOOK: What you are looking for is in the library AUTHOR: Michiko Aoyama TRANSLATOR: Alison Wats PUBLISHERS: Penguin GENRE: Fiction (Japanese literature) RATING: 5 ⭐ REVIEW: Imagine, you are lost and don’t have any idea what to do in life and one fine day you stumbled upon your locality’s library and there a strange-looking librarian gives you a book recommendation that has no relation with your life yet that book and the felt toy given by the librarian as a bonus gift change your life.
Well, that’s the story of “What you are looking for is in the library”.
The Book is divided into 5 chapters where each chapter carries a story of an individual who either is not happy with her current job or wants to start his own business or wants her pre-motherhood career back or wants a job that gives him satisfaction or doesn’t know what to do after retirement.
What’s common in all five individuals is that they all somehow landed up in their community’s library where the librarian Sayuri Komachi recommended each of them not only the books they were looking for but also a personal recommendation along with a felt toy made by the librarian herself as a bonus gift that helped each of them to come out of their state of despair.
After reading this book I realized why it is said that some books don’t share stories rather they create magic and this is one such book. Though this is a translated version and the original book was written in Japanese, yet the narration in English is smooth and flowy, it feels like instead of words, butter has been rubbed on the paper to share the stories of the five Japanese.
The story is set in Japan, showcasing its unique culture yet someone who is sitting miles away from the place, can easily feel the emotions of the characters, even some of you might relate with the protagonists of the book and feel their sorrow and worries.
This book profoundly depicts how each book can be interpreted differently by different people and how each book can have a different impact on different people and it’s all about the situation or zone you are in while you pick that book.
In the beginning, I thought all five stories were independent and the only common thing between them was the library and the librarian. However, as you read each story and give it proper attention, you will see the connection between each one of them.
This book will bring a sense of calmness to your chaotic life and will provide you with the same level of comfort and warmth that you feel while talking to your best friends.
The book’s length is not too much, it can be finished in one or two sitting. However, after reading the first chapter I was sure that I didn’t want this book to end fast, therefore, I took all the time in the world to finish it and I am happy that I didn’t rush to finish this one and focused on savoring each word.
If you are someone looking for a soul-hugging and a comfort read then you should definitely read this beauty.
Thank you @penguineindia for giving this book in exchange for an honest review.
Book: The Mars Conspiracy Author: Razi Publishers: Tree Shade Books Genre: Science Fiction
Review: Do you really think humans will one day live on another planet? Are our scientists working towards making this possible?
I’m unsure if we’ll witness this in our lifetime, but Dr. Noel Minj dedicates his life to making his dream of colonizing Mars a reality.
The Mars conspiracy began with a breach in the Space-Tech research and development facility located in Simdega, Jharkhand, India. In the next chapter, three YouTubers are filming a new video where they discover a crop circle and a strange object. They take multiple shots of the crop circle and bring them to the local police station, where it is discovered that similar crop circles were seen earlier. However, on investigation, it was found out that circles were made by some local boys. Hence the incharge didn’t pay much attention to them and gave the investigation to a cop who was not in a great shape because of his drinking habits.
The story moves ahead, and we witness the trio’s efforts to unravel the mystery of the crop circle and the strange object.
Simultaneously the story takes you to 1300 BC, ancient Egypt where you get to see why Egyptians believed in otherworldly people.
But the question remains: how are ancient Egyptians and modern-day scientists connected? How will the Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty help Dr. Noel and his Space-Tech team accomplish the dream of colonizing Mars?
This book is not only a treat for the science fiction lovers but readers who are not fan of this genre will also see themselves enjoying it profusely.
The author through his book will definitely make you believe that humans can one day live on Mars and he will also make you believe in the existence of aliens.
The story keeps jumping between two time zones and multiple characters are being involved to make the story intriguing, which could have backfired if the narration was not clean.
For some, the book might become lengthy and they may feel the description too much stressed out but those who like to know everything in detail will find the same description a major part of the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this science fiction novel and appreciated the way the author has built the suspense, which kept me engaged until the end.
The mass conspiracy can be picked by science fiction lovers as well as by those who have never read this genre before but want to give it a try.
BOOK – Arjuna AUTHOR – Dhanika Sharma PUBLISHER – Notion Press GENRE – Fiction (Mythological) PAGES – 204 REVIEW – I guess by now you all must be aware of my love for Indian mythological fiction. I read anything and everything but it’s mythological fiction that soothes my soul and for this reason only I picked up Arjuna by Dhanika Sharma. As the name suggests, the book shares the story of one of the most important people of the Mahabharat i.e. Arjuna. The story begins at the end of the great Indian epic, where you witness Arjuna all alone in hell. Just like the reader, Arjuna too is shocked, and while navigating his way out he recollects the memories of his entire life, the decision he took, the relationships he had, and the war.
The author by taking the full liberty of presenting the Mahabharata in a modern way has done a commendable job. With a touch of her imagination, the author beautifully recreated the entire epic.
As the story is narrated from the perspective of Arjuna, all of the characters are portrayed from his pov. You will get to see the characters of Mahabharata from a different angle. There are chances that a character you adore is the least likable person by the Arjuna of this book and this is what makes this book more interesting.
The author has narrated the whole story in a very unusual manner, by not narrating the story in any particular sequence. This might sound confusing but it isn’t. As the language of the book is simple and the length is short it’s easy for anyone to keep track of the events described in the book.
One thing I genuinely liked about the book is the inclusion of all the important events that shaped Arjuna’s life, be it his marriage with other wives or the killing of Bhishma.
Although the book is well written, intriguing and illustrations after every few chapters kept me engaged yet I felt the author could have shown more chemistry between Arjuna and Draupadi. As per me, their relationship was not given enough attention.
If you are someone who’s looking to read Mahabharata’s important events from a different perspective then this book is definitely for you.
BOOK – Only for you, My Love AUTHOR – Debjyoti Das GENRE – Poetry PAGES – 69 REVIEW – Love, the most beautiful emotion, it’s something we all desire, it’s something we all need. I have read so much on love, be it fiction or someone’s real-life story but what truly touches my heart are poems describing love in lyrical phrases.
And recently I got a chance to read a poetic composition on the theme i.e., ‘Only for you, My Love’ by Debjyoti Das, which is a collection of 54 poems. All these poems seem like letters written by a lover to his beloved. In a few poems, the lover praises the eternal beauty of his beloved while in some he tells his beloved how much she means to him, how much he loves and cares for her. All these poems are written in such a satisfying way that as soon as you complete one you will find yourself reading another Though the author has described love in the most appropriate way however the language used is a bit hard which might create a problem for a few.
I don’t read poetry more often as at times I failed to connect with them, so I try that whenever I read poems, it is something that just touches my heart, and ‘One for you, My Love’ is one such collection of poems with which I was able to relate. There were a few poems that will remain forever in my heart, some of them are – Hi-tech Love, Penned love, and Happy Soul. If you are a poetry lover then you must check out this book.
BOOK: War of Lanka AUTHOR: Amish Tripathi PUBLISHER: Harper Collins PAGES: 475 REVIEW: The first mythological fiction I read was Immortals of Meluha. In fact, it was this series that only introduced me to the world of mythological fiction and instantly I realised that mythological fiction is my genre. I became a fan of Amish’s writing after reading the first part of the Shiva trilogy and was excited to read his Ramchandra series. I read Ram, the first part in the series in 2020 and after that picked Sita and Ravan but while reading Sita somewhere I found something missing, it was like the book is written by someone else but then Ravan was a hit for me and recently when the fourth book in the series was released I immediately picked it up but unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations.
For me the length of the book was overwhelming (475 pages). And I was not expecting to read words like ‘bro’ and “memes” in the book! As if this was not enough, Amish kept repeating that Vibhisan is a smart sneaky weasel which was a major turn off for me.
There’s no doubt that the Ramchandra series gives a different perspective to Indian mythology Ramayana and if you are someone who’s open to reading it’s different versions then you can pick this series but only at your own risk.
I would have liked this book if the author had added some new elements to the story.
“How did I, the fire-born, receive and return such love for a son of the god who brought water? ‘Opposites attract, Krishnaa.’
‘But reverses can repel.”
‘Not with you two. Forces in friction sometimes fall into an inseparable bond. Rules apply as much as they don’t. Neither fire, nor water spares what comes their way. They purify all. They burn or drown if besieged. No one is judged. You both are aligned by your values.”
BOOK – Draupadi AUTHOR – Koral Dasgupta PUBLISHER – Pan Macmillan PAGES – 236
REVIEW – Mahabharata, the great Indian epic is one such theme which has been written over and over again by numerous authors. So many POVs have been shared, and so many retellings have been composed. I too have read multiple fiction tales from different viewpoints but it’s always Draupadi’s character that captivates me.
As a sucker for Indian mythology and a fan of Koral’s writing, I was bound to read Draupadi as soon as possible. Koral is set on a mission to explore the characters of Pancha Kanyas which are scarcely talked about.
In her latest book, Koral explores the character of Draupadi and shares her journey, desires, and relationships with her five husbands, mother-in-law, Granduncle Bhishma and Krishna. And among all the relationships shared, I like the one with Kunti. In almost every retelling, you will find the relationship between the two ladies daunting, they never go parallel with each other but in Koral’s retelling, the relationship between the two was harmonious and it was Kunti who provided strength to Draupadi in her hard time.
No matter how many times, I read Mahabharata’s retelling, the scene where Draupadi was ripped off in front of the entire court always makes me cry and left me wondering why this world is this cruel, why it’s always a woman who has to pay for the wrongdoings of a man?
If I have to talk about the writing style or narration then I’ll only say that Koral’s lyrical narration left me mesmerized and I love this book more than the previous two.
If you too are a mythological fiction fan and want to read Draupadi’s story from a different angle then do give this book a read.
The Book Critiques 