Hello to all my lovely Blogger readers. I am back after a very long time on the platform so apologies for that. I have recently been very busy as I am managing 2 internships which are now going to be converted into jobs next month *smiles and feeling happy*. Thus, I could not devote time to my book reading schedule and lagged very much behind in my reading.
Now, let's not dilly-dally. I promise myself every time that I will read and finish a book quickly so I can give you my awesome reviews of the same. But somehow the plan backfires and I remain stuck at work all day.
So, today the book that I am going to review is The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It is the author's take on Ramayana but from the point of view of Sita.
The book starts with a prologue in which Sage Valmiki hands Sita his 2 year work on the Ramayana that he composes in his ashram.
He then gives Sita some leaves and an inkpot filled with red color with which she has to write her own story.
It is here then that the Sitayana starts.
Through the eyes of Sita, we encounter scenes and incidents which eventually triggered the whole Ramayana to take place.
She firstly recounts her life in Mithila where she was brought up with much care and attention by King Janak and Queen Sunaina along with her sister Urmila. and loves her life in the palace.
Sita is a great healer and lover of nature in the novel and she helps patients heal just with her simple touch.
Then her life takes a turn when Ram and Lakshman come to visit King Janak along with Sage Vishwamitra.
Ram stays with them a few days and is invited to try his luck at stringing Lord Shiva's bow. King Janak places this condition so as to marry Sita to a proper suitor. Several princes and kings have already tried to string the bow but they weren't even able to lift it.
In this incident, Sita says that Ravan himself comes to her father's palace to try and win her hand but is unsuccessful in doing so.
Ram successfully strings the bow but in the process he breaks it which makes Sita very sad as she was very close to the bow.
Sita then goes on to describe her marriage to Ram, her farewell from Mithila and her journey to Ayodhya as a young bride along with her 3 sisters Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutakirti who also get married along with Ram's three brothers.
The readers get a glimpse of Ayodhya in Sita's words and also get a close introduction of all the characters such as Dashrath, Kaushalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi etc.
After spending ten blissful and happy years in Ayodhya, Ram is suddenly banished by Dashrath on Kaikeyi's asking to make Bharat the heir to the throne. Dashrath becomes submissive before Kaikeyi and has to grant her her two boons as promised.
Sita then begs Ram to take her to the forest as well so that she can always be by his side to which Ram at first rejects then eventually accepts.
Sita then starts narrating the actual Ramayana and all the incidents that people have known through generations. But Divakaruni has presented them in a new light in the novel and readers will get to know what all transpires in the Ramayana in an actual way.
Sita also mentions Ram's elder sister Shanta about whom many readers didn't even know previously.
This novel will surely excite all readers to read it not once but twice like I have done.
The novel was my guide and helpmate when I was recently down in the dumps and didn't know where to go or who to share my thoughts and feelings with.
This novel gave me great lessons such as to always be truthful and rightful in my actions, to always balance love and truth, never to believe gossipmongers until I get to know the truth myself.
It has also taught me to respect my elders which I have done all through my life and am still doing.
I have gained a lot after reading The Forest of Enchantments and I am sure you will too once you read it fully and thoroughly.
I recommend this novel for all mythology lovers and even for those who are feeling stressed or depressed in their lives.
This book will surely help you take your sorrows away while you will also get to know some interesting things about Ramayana.
This novel gives you a lot of solace and peace as you keep reading the chapters one by one.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an exceptional author when it comes to mythology. Her vision to recreate our revered epics into brand new novels that too from the perspective of women characters makes for a very fascinating read.
So, do buy this novel if you want to learn something new in mythology.
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (For International Readers)
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (For Indian Readers)
