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A review by baibhabi
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Valmiki asks Sita to read the epic poem he has composed for it is her story and it is her who deserves to read it first. However, she is not happy with the one-sided narrative, which will go on to be a timeless epic loved by people for many centuries.
She writes in her book 'Sitayan' the version of her life that will never be sang by the bards and the story of the lives of women who never got space in the classic narrative dominated by men. "Write our story" they said to her– Sunaina, her wise mother; Mandodari, the wife and trusted counsellor of Ravan; Urmila, her long-suffering sister; Ahalya, punished for a mistake not of her own; Kaikeyi; who's moves in the royal game weren't in her favour.
The book equally gives space to men, to Ram whom I have hated all my life, whose ethics and priorities I have questioned and have been prejudiced towards. I cannot blame him now, for he is human too, his priorities lying in being an ideal king morally correct and truthful to his people. In a way, this book changes my perception towards many characters.
Some have pointed out that Divakaruni's Sita was much 'self-absorbed' and 'fickle'. But I believe no matter how we see her as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, we have to admit that she was a mortal on Earth. And don't we too love ourselves the most? It should be the same for her as well.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand it is incredibly written, capturing all aspects it could. On the other hand it lacks the portrayal I expected from it. I feel that Sita's bond with each of the character she speaks of lacked warmth. I feel her bond with Lakshman –who treated her like his own mother– and other characters, lacks conversations that could potentially portray the depth of their relationship.
Apart from that, Divakaruni does justice to her Sita. The Forest of Enchantments is a tale of love, sorrow, kindness, grace, hope and bravery. It is the book that is to be passed on to our daughters and bless them to be like Sita: uncompromising, earnest and courageous. It is even eagerly to be passed on to our sons so they read about women so brilliant and learn treat them with the respect they deserve.
She writes in her book 'Sitayan' the version of her life that will never be sang by the bards and the story of the lives of women who never got space in the classic narrative dominated by men. "Write our story" they said to her– Sunaina, her wise mother; Mandodari, the wife and trusted counsellor of Ravan; Urmila, her long-suffering sister; Ahalya, punished for a mistake not of her own; Kaikeyi; who's moves in the royal game weren't in her favour.
The book equally gives space to men, to Ram whom I have hated all my life, whose ethics and priorities I have questioned and have been prejudiced towards. I cannot blame him now, for he is human too, his priorities lying in being an ideal king morally correct and truthful to his people. In a way, this book changes my perception towards many characters.
Some have pointed out that Divakaruni's Sita was much 'self-absorbed' and 'fickle'. But I believe no matter how we see her as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, we have to admit that she was a mortal on Earth. And don't we too love ourselves the most? It should be the same for her as well.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand it is incredibly written, capturing all aspects it could. On the other hand it lacks the portrayal I expected from it. I feel that Sita's bond with each of the character she speaks of lacked warmth. I feel her bond with Lakshman –who treated her like his own mother– and other characters, lacks conversations that could potentially portray the depth of their relationship.
Apart from that, Divakaruni does justice to her Sita. The Forest of Enchantments is a tale of love, sorrow, kindness, grace, hope and bravery. It is the book that is to be passed on to our daughters and bless them to be like Sita: uncompromising, earnest and courageous. It is even eagerly to be passed on to our sons so they read about women so brilliant and learn treat them with the respect they deserve.