Book Review

Book Review
The Forest of Enchanments
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Pages: 358

Genre: Mythology Retelling
Publisher : Harper Collins
The Forest of Enchantments is a retelling of the Indian epic Ramayana from Sita’s point of view which the author also calls ‘Sitayan’
I have heard praise for the author from her book Palace of Illusions which Mahabharata told from Draupadi’s perspective so when The Forest of Enchantments came out…I was really excited to read it.
The hardcover of this book is absolutely stunning
Ramayana is a story we all know and this retelling is beautifully expressed.
The author has changed Sita’s image from a meek woman to a woman who is a feminist and an epitome of courage,power and self respect.
Ram-Sita’s love story has been shown beautifully so is her journey in the forest or the days of her childhood
Other female characters in the book has been depicted wonderfully – Sunaina,Sita’s mother also a wise and able leader,Urmila – a happy and cheerful person and a dutiful sister who suffered loneliness,Kaikeyi – a character who was seen as evil most of the times get her recognition that she was a wise and witty woman
Mandodari – Ravan’s wife who watched her kingdom fall into ruins and was against war all the time, Ahalya who suffered for a crime she did not do. This book should be read by everyone because it teaches how women should be treated.
Male characters have been also written with equal thought and have been given recognition.
The narration is strong and gives a good base to the story though there were some parts where I felt that the author should have shown more aspects of Sita and Urmila’s relationship or Urmila or Lakshman’s relationship
The ending is firm and astonishing. ‘I forgave you a long time ago,’ I say to Ram.’Though I didn’t know it until now. Because this is the most important aspect of love,whose other face is compassion: It isn’t doled out,drop by drop. It doesn’t measure who is worthy and who isn’t. It is like the ocean. Unfathomable.Astonishing.Measureless.’
– The ending from The Forests of Enchantments
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5