A review by serendipitysbooks
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 
Female-centred retellings and spin-offs from classic myths still seems to be a hot publishing trend and I’m pleased to see it is not confined to Greek mythology. I recently read Kaikeyi, a female-centred story which spins off from The Rāmāyana, one of the most important Hindu legends. Kaikeyi is infamous for arranging the fourteen year long exile of her stepson, the prince Rama, who was due to succeed his father to the throne. In this book she gets a chance to tell her story and explain the rationale for that decision.

I always love a strong but flawed protagonist and Kaikeyi was certainly that. Her growth from tomboy princess who, with only brothers and whose mother left when she was young, was more interested in mastering sword play and chariot riding than needlework, through to a queen who carved out a sphere of influence and used it it to expand the roles permitted to women and to otherwise better their lives was believable and inspirational. The conflict between her and a reactionary misogynistic religious leader particularly stood out, and gave the book a modern day resonance. Kaikeyi could be shrewd and calculating, made full use of the magic she discovered via the Binding Plane but also got along well with her husband’s other two wives, was respected and listened to by him, and cared for all four princes, not just her biological son. Even her decision to have Rama banished was not as cruel and selfish as it has been portrayed. But also perhaps not as altruistic as Kaikeyi wanted to believe.

My knowledge of Indian mythology is sparse and basic. Yet I had no trouble getting to grips with this story. It was fully self-contained and engrossing. Kaikeyi was both admirable and foolhardy, the author of her successes and her failures. if you’ve enjoyed any of the recent Greek feminist retellings I  recommend giving this book a try.  
Expand filter menu Content Warnings