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A review by crazygoangirl
The Missing Queen by Samhita Arni
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!