Hello everyone. I am back after a long time with another book review. This time it is Kavita Kane's novel, Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen.
This book took me a pretty long time because I was swamped with other things so couldn't finish it quickly. But, whatever time I could muster in between, I made sure to read at least two chapters of this wonderful novel.
This one is a mythological read and told from Uruvi's point of view. If you're a fan of mythology and love to read about The Mahabharat, then you will definitely find more interesting details in this novel.
The story starts with Uruvi's life at Pukeya and her dreams of Karna when she first saw him in the archery contest at Hastinapur. She instantly falls in love with this golden man and wishes to become his wife.
She then makes her parents, King Vahusha and Queen Shubhra understand her deep love for Karna and how she will only marry him or remain unmarried throughout her life. Her parents finally give in, although they know what doom this will bring in their daughter's life.
Uruvi is happily married to Karna but soon realizes the harsh reality in which her husband lives. She has to share him with Vrushali, his first wife. She is also disowned by everyone like her husband and she loses her loved ones for a time being.
The rest of the story is about The Mahabharat and all the ploys and vicious politics that the Kauravas plan against the Pandavas to make sure they get wiped out forever.
The novel also describes the eighteen-day war in short but vivid detail as if you yourself are in the moment and seeing the warring cousins, thirsting for each other's blood. Families, relatives, teachers, soldiers all die in this wretched war. Only the Pandavas remain and rule Hastinapur once again from scratch.
The novel also witnesses the undying friendship of Duryodhana and Karna that no one, not even Uruvi is capable of breaking free. She constantly pleads with Karna to leave Duryodhana as it will only spell doom for him and his family's life, but Karna is steadfast and refuses her pleas.
Even Lord Krishna and Kunti try to explain to him the disadvantages of his friendship with Duryodhana. But, Karna refuses both of them as well.
Karna is fully aware of his situation and tells Uruvi that he is a doomed man, destined to die. He has been cursed multiple times by various people. But, he craves the social recognition as a Kshatriya that is denied to him time and again by Kunti as she fears that everyone will not accept her firstborn as one.
Uruvi is fully supportive of her husband and also steels herself for Karna's impending death. She knows that her husband is the very epitome of righteousness and a man of his word.
Karna is also robbed of his kavach and kundals by Lord Indra, he is robbed of his righteousness by Lord Krishna, his guru, Parshurama curses him that he will forget the knowledge of Brahmastra when he would need it the most. Kunti breaks his resolve and determination by telling him the truth about his birth and not killing either of her sons in the war.
Uruvi has the qualities of healing and tends to wounded soldiers in the war camps after battles. Her healing powers help many soldiers to get healthy once again.
There are many more of such instances and things that you will come to know as you read the novel. This was my second reading of this novel. I actually had never even seen this novel before, it was a birthday gift to me from my mother. I liked it the first time but didn't grow so emotional as I did after the second reading.
The end of the novel is really tear-jerking. I had to control myself while reading the last two chapters of the novel. I am a mythology fan and love reading about The Mahabharat and The Ramayana. I buy any book that is connected to the two epics.
I can read this book a third time too. I can pore hours and hours over a mythological book. It never fails to amaze and interest me. A serial titled, Karnsangini was also made on this novel and aired on Star Plus. But, in my opinion, the book is more interesting and insightful than the serial as the dramatized version has been made a bit extra.
So, I hope you will like this novel too. Mythological fan or not, do give this book and author a try. I am sure you will not be disappointed. You might even like to buy the author's other books too.
Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen by Kavita Kane (Link for international readers)
Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen by Kavita Kane (Link for Indian readers)
