Truth to be told, I am fascinated by mythology and everything related it. And not only Indian mythology, but mythology of every corner of the world. But, I was not comfortable about anything Ramayan. But when Amish Tripathi who is dubbed as the Popstar of Indian Literature and known to break and modify mythology to the optimum level offers you Ramayana, you are bound to be interested.
When I first read Immortals of Meluha by him, I was awestruck by his writing style. Though a bit disappointed at the abrupt end of that particular series, I was eagerly waiting for his next book. And, here I am with a review of it.
First, let me tell you one thing that Amish has again blurred that fine line which makes us believe that every word told about Rama is perfect. To be frank, I have never sympathetic to Rama in spite of his suffering. The Maryada Puroshottam is something I have never digested. No man can be free of guilt. It is in their nature. The way how he was idolized as a person who have done everything right was not acceptable for me.
And this where Amish has won my heart. His Ram is a common person with whom you can identify yourself. He is struck by love, he is enraged at sometimes and there are times when his stubbornness created problem. His habit of sticking to law makes him vulnerable to others who bind him through the loopholes in it. To sum up, he is every bit human as me as you are.
The story of Rama is often described as something extra ordinary which is too good to my taste. But in Amish's book, all the characters are sewn with human emotion. Unlike the pampered and loved Ram of Valmiki, who was adored by all, Amish's Ram is a neglected and loathed son who rises to fame through his work. Dasaratha, Koushalya, Kaikeyi, Manthara, Lakshman...all characters are as human as I am. There is no extravaganza, no over loyalty or over kindness in the character. Ram himself, as I have told, is portrayed with proper emotion yet gracefully.
One thing I like most of Amish's writing is the portrayal of his heroines. Scion of Ishvaku is no exception and here you get a Sita devoid of her ever lasting sorrows and despair. Here, Amish's Sita is loyal to her husband but as a same time, fierce, warrior and diplomatic. Unlike Valmiki's Sita or Tulsi Das's Sita, who does not anything but her husband, Amish's Sita is the prime minister of Mithila and very much versed in court affairs which earn her admiration and RESPECT from Ram. I think I love the portrayal of Sita very much.
Description of an India from the past long forgotten was not easy but Amish has done a splendid job here. The book itself is a proof of a well researched author. Amish summed up the country and its inhabitants in the following lines which is very much true in today's
context also.
We're a nation of rebels. We argue and fight about anything. We can only succeed by walking down the path of feminity of freedom.
It did look like that the author has spotted the very similar fact that has defined India for millennia. Didn't it? Though the book is very fluid in its narration, the philosophical talks sometimes became monotonous. I mean too much of everything is not good for taste. Otherwise, the book is a delight to read.
The cover was revealed part by part in a contest held by Amazon, in which the readers were encouraged to find clues in his other books. It is amazing portraying Rama holding a dhanush and aiming to the Pushpak Viman delivering the essence of the book.
Overall, the book is a fine reading and I enjoyed it till the last page.
Name of the Book: Scion of Ishvaku
Name of the author: Amish Tripathi
Publisher: Westland
Pages: 376
Price: 350
Buy the book here.
The second book of the series is scheduled to release soon. Pre order the book now!
When I first read Immortals of Meluha by him, I was awestruck by his writing style. Though a bit disappointed at the abrupt end of that particular series, I was eagerly waiting for his next book. And, here I am with a review of it.
First, let me tell you one thing that Amish has again blurred that fine line which makes us believe that every word told about Rama is perfect. To be frank, I have never sympathetic to Rama in spite of his suffering. The Maryada Puroshottam is something I have never digested. No man can be free of guilt. It is in their nature. The way how he was idolized as a person who have done everything right was not acceptable for me.
And this where Amish has won my heart. His Ram is a common person with whom you can identify yourself. He is struck by love, he is enraged at sometimes and there are times when his stubbornness created problem. His habit of sticking to law makes him vulnerable to others who bind him through the loopholes in it. To sum up, he is every bit human as me as you are.
The story of Rama is often described as something extra ordinary which is too good to my taste. But in Amish's book, all the characters are sewn with human emotion. Unlike the pampered and loved Ram of Valmiki, who was adored by all, Amish's Ram is a neglected and loathed son who rises to fame through his work. Dasaratha, Koushalya, Kaikeyi, Manthara, Lakshman...all characters are as human as I am. There is no extravaganza, no over loyalty or over kindness in the character. Ram himself, as I have told, is portrayed with proper emotion yet gracefully.
One thing I like most of Amish's writing is the portrayal of his heroines. Scion of Ishvaku is no exception and here you get a Sita devoid of her ever lasting sorrows and despair. Here, Amish's Sita is loyal to her husband but as a same time, fierce, warrior and diplomatic. Unlike Valmiki's Sita or Tulsi Das's Sita, who does not anything but her husband, Amish's Sita is the prime minister of Mithila and very much versed in court affairs which earn her admiration and RESPECT from Ram. I think I love the portrayal of Sita very much.
Description of an India from the past long forgotten was not easy but Amish has done a splendid job here. The book itself is a proof of a well researched author. Amish summed up the country and its inhabitants in the following lines which is very much true in today's
context also.
We're a nation of rebels. We argue and fight about anything. We can only succeed by walking down the path of feminity of freedom.
It did look like that the author has spotted the very similar fact that has defined India for millennia. Didn't it? Though the book is very fluid in its narration, the philosophical talks sometimes became monotonous. I mean too much of everything is not good for taste. Otherwise, the book is a delight to read.
The cover was revealed part by part in a contest held by Amazon, in which the readers were encouraged to find clues in his other books. It is amazing portraying Rama holding a dhanush and aiming to the Pushpak Viman delivering the essence of the book.
Overall, the book is a fine reading and I enjoyed it till the last page.
Name of the Book: Scion of Ishvaku
Name of the author: Amish Tripathi
Publisher: Westland
Pages: 376
Price: 350
Buy the book here.
The second book of the series is scheduled to release soon. Pre order the book now!
Great Review Puspanjalee. How can we contact you to get our books reviewed?
ReplyDeletePlease send me an email at contact@mywritingmyworld.com
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