A review by sujata
Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni

5.0

In the time leading up to Dusshera (when Lord Ram defeated Ravana) and Diwali (When Rama, Sita and Lakshman returned home), I finally read this book. As a young Hindu girl learning the Ramayana from my family, I was swept up in the adventure and thrill and triumph of good over evil, and have had a soft spot and connection to Hanuman ever since. But even back then, before I knew the word feminism, or patriarchy, I was angry and upset when we got to the end of the saga, and Sita was thrown out for being impure. And then again after being proven by the fire God to be pure, taken home, abandoned again, exiled by her husband and brother in law because of rumors of her pregnancy,and who the father was. It was appalling and something that stuck with me. This version is something that can be true to thousands of years of storytelling and faith but recognize that this was not fair, that war and death was levied all for men's desires and honor, at the cost of a woman who was blamed and for nothing. Great for adults and children,both those of the Hindu faith,who believe, but also who want better.