Scan barcode
sarahhbeth_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I thought The Missing Queen was a fantastic novel and highly recommend it to essentially anyone looking for a good book. I read the Mahabharata last year and wish that it was fresher in my mind when reading this book. I now want to go read the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and this book all over again. The Missing Queen is a quick read (only 180 pages), but is nonetheless a thoroughly imaginative, relevant and compelling book. The author not only presents the classic Indian story retold in a modern setting, but also analyzes the original work and explores the idea that history is written by the victors. In addition, I appreciated that the book features willful, indomitable, and ever-curious female leads. I loved this book; you will not regret reading it!
damned_kat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readysetpooja's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mohan_vee's review against another edition
4.0
The "Missing Queen" by Samhita Arni is a modern examination of the themes and characters found in the Ramayana. Although a fairly short book the author narrates a complex and confusing tale set 10 years after the final events of the Ramayana. As a warning this novel will not be accessible or make much sense to anyone who is not familiar with some version of the original epic.
Set in the contemporary world Arni's tale uses the mythical events of the Ramayan as a backdrop to an exploration of modern day political and social dysfunctions in India and Sri Lanka. While focusing on the forgotten and unseen victims of global conflicts she also elegantly surfaces the violence inherent in the original tale.
Set in the contemporary world Arni's tale uses the mythical events of the Ramayan as a backdrop to an exploration of modern day political and social dysfunctions in India and Sri Lanka. While focusing on the forgotten and unseen victims of global conflicts she also elegantly surfaces the violence inherent in the original tale.
raingirl's review against another edition
1.0
I had really high hopes from this. Considering that I had already read the authors another book 'Sita's Ramayana', I had thought this would be just as good.
It had started on a good note. I liked how it had a lot of modern sub plots, bringing in political and cultural references. But it was too much, and not explained enough. Its great to see someone putting in a womans perspective. Still I wish the author had put in just as much effort in giving some meat to the mens characters.
It had started on a good note. I liked how it had a lot of modern sub plots, bringing in political and cultural references. But it was too much, and not explained enough. Its great to see someone putting in a womans perspective. Still I wish the author had put in just as much effort in giving some meat to the mens characters.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
4.0
I've always had a love-hate relationship with the Ramayana. As a child I found it boring as compared to the Mahabharata which seemed colourful and intriguing in contrast with its huge cast of characters and fast pace. As a teenager, the boredom turned to disdain - for Ram, whom I found weak, for Sita who irritated me with her devotion to said weak husband, for Lakshman, who thought nothing of abandoning his blameless wife in favour of said weak brother...you get the picture! I was young and rebellious and the virtues of patience and sacrifice and the consequences of choice were lost on me.
Over the years, I confess I did little to improve my understanding of the myth and till today the Mahabharata remains my favourite epic, but with age and life experience, has come a semblance of understanding for the nuanced story that is the Ramayana. Ashok Banker's vividly reimagined interpretation helped the process, although by Volume 4, the repetitive style had begun to irritate. Still, the concept was original and I enjoyed having the god-like Ram of my childhood presented as a human, a prince and an extraordinary human no doubt, but still believable. He was flawed and I understood that.
Now, here comes another interpretation, although perhaps perspective is a better word, from Samhita Arni. Unsurprisingly focusing on the women in the epic, it tells the story of a nameless journalist in search of Sita. Such a clever piece of writing Sam! The essential skeleton of the epic remains but is reimagined in a more contemporary and relatable setting. Ayoydhya could be any city, Ram - every man, Sita - every woman. The story explores the consequences of war and power and how one man's truth is another man's falsehood. It struck me as particularly relevant given the times we live in!
I love that Sam turns everything on its head and yet leaves us free to interpret, asking us only to question, to delve and to seek our own truths. As I read, I recognised the familiar characters but saw them in a new light. I became the narrator, searching for the truth as I saw it and yet what is the truth but perspective?
I'm lucky enough to have met Sam several times and as I read the book I heard her voice! This would be a great Book Club pick too. An enjoyable read and a quick one too! Finished it in an afternoon ☺️ If you like the Ramayana and even if you don't - Read it!
Over the years, I confess I did little to improve my understanding of the myth and till today the Mahabharata remains my favourite epic, but with age and life experience, has come a semblance of understanding for the nuanced story that is the Ramayana. Ashok Banker's vividly reimagined interpretation helped the process, although by Volume 4, the repetitive style had begun to irritate. Still, the concept was original and I enjoyed having the god-like Ram of my childhood presented as a human, a prince and an extraordinary human no doubt, but still believable. He was flawed and I understood that.
Now, here comes another interpretation, although perhaps perspective is a better word, from Samhita Arni. Unsurprisingly focusing on the women in the epic, it tells the story of a nameless journalist in search of Sita. Such a clever piece of writing Sam! The essential skeleton of the epic remains but is reimagined in a more contemporary and relatable setting. Ayoydhya could be any city, Ram - every man, Sita - every woman. The story explores the consequences of war and power and how one man's truth is another man's falsehood. It struck me as particularly relevant given the times we live in!
I love that Sam turns everything on its head and yet leaves us free to interpret, asking us only to question, to delve and to seek our own truths. As I read, I recognised the familiar characters but saw them in a new light. I became the narrator, searching for the truth as I saw it and yet what is the truth but perspective?
I'm lucky enough to have met Sam several times and as I read the book I heard her voice! This would be a great Book Club pick too. An enjoyable read and a quick one too! Finished it in an afternoon ☺️ If you like the Ramayana and even if you don't - Read it!
khepiari's review against another edition
5.0
A nameless TV journalist, dares to do the impossible, on national television she asks 'Where is Sita?' From then on the cat and mouse game of seeking the truth begins. Set in the city-state where Ram is the beloved king who is trying to bring Democracy. Ayodhya is an ever growing kingdom that ate up Lanka's resources after defeating Ravan. In it's omnivorous quest to be the shining example of development, many have been trampled.
Our journalist keeps discovering secrets and ends up connecting dots to the other side of the story. From queen to princess she meets them all in her search for Sita.
The book begins with Kaikeyi, within first three pages I was glued. But I resisted, I savoured this book for almost two months, I read it super slow because I didn't want it to end.
Every queen and princess has something to say; Surpanakha, Urmila, Trijatha. I badly wanted Mandodari to get her say too. I loved the history behind Black Shirts and LLF, because they resonate so much with conditions and histories of North East India, and Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh
I have a soft spot for Samhita Arni, her Sita's Ramayana and Mahabharata: A Child's View were intriguing and I love rereading them. The Missing Queen surpassed her previous storytelling in matter of language and political urgency. The book is definitely a retelling of Ramayana, but it's so much more! The book is so small and well written but also so well edited, the use of em dashes made me so happy. This is iceberg style at its finest, so many things are implied but never forced fed to the readers. Any reader young or old would understand what the author is trying to make us see through this story.
The book is a feminist story and a suspense novel that brings out the horror of mass denial and self induced cultural amnesia. It is also is an environmental story, as it keeps asking it's readers what is the price of development that we crave so badly?
Our journalist keeps discovering secrets and ends up connecting dots to the other side of the story. From queen to princess she meets them all in her search for Sita.
The book begins with Kaikeyi, within first three pages I was glued. But I resisted, I savoured this book for almost two months, I read it super slow because I didn't want it to end.
Every queen and princess has something to say; Surpanakha, Urmila, Trijatha. I badly wanted Mandodari to get her say too. I loved the history behind Black Shirts and LLF, because they resonate so much with conditions and histories of North East India, and Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh
I have a soft spot for Samhita Arni, her Sita's Ramayana and Mahabharata: A Child's View were intriguing and I love rereading them. The Missing Queen surpassed her previous storytelling in matter of language and political urgency. The book is definitely a retelling of Ramayana, but it's so much more! The book is so small and well written but also so well edited, the use of em dashes made me so happy. This is iceberg style at its finest, so many things are implied but never forced fed to the readers. Any reader young or old would understand what the author is trying to make us see through this story.
The book is a feminist story and a suspense novel that brings out the horror of mass denial and self induced cultural amnesia. It is also is an environmental story, as it keeps asking it's readers what is the price of development that we crave so badly?
poojapillai's review
3.0
Arni's idea of transposing the Ramayana onto modern times is not new, but she does it well, especially since she focuses on the question of why Sita left. However, the book could have done with more meat - most of the characters remain sketchy, we only have the faintest idea of the geography that Arni is operating in, and some very very important questions remain not just unanswered, but unasked.
More...