The meat of the epic comes from Rama’s travels through the forest during his exile at the hand of his stepmother, Kaikeyi, and his subsequent battle against the evil demon king Ravana who kidnapped Rama’s wife, Sita. Written by the poet Valmiki in Sanskrit over 2,300 years ago and containing 24,000 verses, “The Ramayana” is the story of prince Rama, the son of King Dasharath and an avatar of the god Vishnu.
As one of the great Hindu epics, its influence cannot be understated. "A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanity’s most foundational stories.When I was growing up, my father regaled me with stories from “ The Ramayana” for years.
"Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate." ―Roshani Chokshi, author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride "A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace." ―Ava Reid, author of The Wolf and the Woodsman "Brave, compassionate and powerful." ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne "Utterly captivating from start to finish." ―Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart "Easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline Miller’s Circe." – Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A powerful, feminist retelling of the epic.Patel resets the balance of power, creating an unforgettable heroine who understands that it isn’t necessarily kings or gods who change history." – Washington Post Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak-and what legacy she intends to leave behind. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.īut as the evil from her childhood tales threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.ĭesperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on legends of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions-much good it did me. “With a graceful, measured elegance” ( New York Times), this lyrical novel reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana, giving voice to an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.
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