Book Description
The great Indian epic rendered in modern prose
India's most beloved and enduring legend, the Ramayana is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's great literary masterpieces. Still an integral part of India's cultural and religious expression, the Ramayana was originally composed by the Sanskrit poet Valmiki around 300 b.c. The epic of Prince Rama's betrayal, exile, and struggle to rescue his faithful wife, Sita, from the clutches of a demon and to reclaim his throne has profoundly affected the literature, art, and culture of South and Southeast Asia-an influence most likely unparalleled in the history of world literature, except, possibly, for the Bible. Throughout the centuries, countless versions of the epic have been produced in numerous formats and languages. But previous English versions have been either too short to capture the magnitude of the original; too secular in presenting what is, in effect, scripture; or dry, line-by-line translations. Now novelist Ramesh Menon has rendered the tale in lyrical prose that conveys all the beauty and excitement of the original, while making this spiritual and literary classic accessible to a new generation of readers.
Customer Reviews:
Rama's Delight.......2007-10-05
I have not read the original multi-volume Ramayana, the great Indian religious epic describing the travels of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. The basic plotline is that Rama, the heir-apparent to the kingdom of Kosala centered in Ayodhya, is driven into exile in the forest, loses his beloved wife Sita to a kidnapping by the terrible demon Ravana and the rest of the story I will leave readers to discover. (Note that the Ramayana is considered Scripture in India, and not merely a story). I am not Indian: as a non-native I find this an incredibly accessible work, and a beautifully lyrical and inspired version. The creator of this version admits that he himself has read only translations of the work, however, there is definitely divine inspiration behind his efforts, as reading it feels like a thoroughly enjoyable spiritual practice. I look forward to continuing this practice regularly.
A great English translation of an Indian Classic.......2007-08-20
Gods, Demons and Heroes, locked in titanic battle in the mythical days of yore, and performing great feats of strength and/or self sacrifice ... what's not to love about that ?
The Ramayana is one of the great literary epics of Ancient India, retold in this version in full-length and easy-to-read English prose form. It's the story of the life and trials of Rama, a mortal incarnation (avatar) of the great Hindu God, Vishnu. However, it's more than just a simple mythological adventure story ... it's also a morality play. Rama is an archetypal example of a perfect man, dutiful son and pious husband; and likewise his wife Sita is an archetype of the perfect woman/wife. Together they are sent into exile by an act of betrayal, and by fate, and face a series of challenges that mercilessly test their quality and character ... encountering, in no particular order, wandering holymen/beggars, murderous rakshasas, diabolical demons, Gods, Devas, and creatures and spirits of the forest.
The thing that a lot of English & Western readers might otherwise overlook is that this epic is a revered part of Hindu literature, in much the same way that the adventures and trials of Jesus of Nazareth are told in the New Testament of the Bible.
The book is very enjoyable, and can be read on a number of different levels ... as both a simple mythological fantasy, as well as literary classic that indirectly underlies one of the world's major religions.
Some of the deeds and actions by the characters in the story might seem incomprehensible to some of us westerners, but that's just par for the course in grasping the deep seated psychological & religious differences between different cultures, with differing role models.
The author, thoughtfully, included a helpful appendix which defines some of the hindi words that appear in the story (ex: "moksha" loosely translates as "embodied enlightenment"), but it's by no means complete ... but it's enough for a western reader to get by without too much trouble.
In any case, it's a very enjoyable tale.
Indian Epic.......2007-08-11
In a way, The Ramayana reads like a "chick-flick". However, it is so much more than that. It teaches about Love, War, Prejudice, Loyalty, etc. It teaches about a peaceful way of being. Great, great book for people of all ages.
The most meaningful book I've ever read.......2007-06-23
After spending years reading and hearing portions of the Ramayana, this version finally opened many spiritual doors for me. My ability to read Hindustani is very poor but Ramesh Menon's lyrical style conveys all of the drama and meaning that I can only hope the original does. If anyone again ever asks me why I am a Hindu, I will ask that the person read this retelling of the Ramayana.
Simply beautiful.......2007-05-17
Menon's rendering of the Ramayana captures the essential lyricism of the epic. At last a volume that reads like prose but evokes the stirrings of poetry. This is the best English translation of the Ramayana that I have read. Your soul will be delighted!
Average customer rating:
- the ultimate good versus evil
- Only for beginners
- Amazing
- Very enjoyable book
- If I was Rama, William Buck could be my press agent.
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Ramayana
William Buck
Manufacturer: University of California Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0520227034 |
Book Description
Few works in world literature have inspired so vast an audience, in nations with radically different languages and cultures, as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, two Sanskrit verse epics written some 2,000 years ago.
In Ramayana (written by a poet known to us as Valmiki), William Buck has retold the story of Prince Rama--with all its nobility of spirit, courtly intrigue, heroic renunciation, fierce battles, and triumph of good over evil--in a length and manner that will make the great Indian epics accessible to the contemporary reader.
The same is true for the Mahabharata--in its original Sanskrit, probably the longest Indian epic ever composed. It is the story of a dynastic struggle, between the Kurus and Pandavas, for land. In his introduction, Sanskritist B. A. van Nooten notes, "Apart from William Buck's rendition [no other English version has] been able to capture the blend of religion and martial spirit that pervades the original epic."
Presented accessibly for the general reader without compromising the spirit and lyricism of the originals, William Buck's Ramayana and Mahabharata capture the essence of the Indian cultural heritage.
Customer Reviews:
the ultimate good versus evil.......2007-01-02
This is an incredibly poetic and beautifully told story.
It is easy to forget the story is ancient because its themes are so human - love, loyalty, greed and jealousy - and insightful.
Also, an understanding of Indian culture or religion, even limited, is not necessary to enjoy it because it is wonderfully imaginative.
My favorite character is Ravana, the best bad guy I've come across yet - a devilishly handsome ten-headed demon who strokes his black moustaches.
I like to think fiction itself sprang from stories like these.
Only for beginners.......2006-05-28
On reading this book I was disappointed. The author has changed and omitted some fundamental parts of the Ramayana. For example, in the original text when Rama saves Sita from Ravana, Rama initially rejects her because he questions her fidelity, although this was all part of a divine scheme to ultimately show her greatness - but these important events are recounted rather differently in this book. Buck has not really understood Rama, in my opinion, and he certainly does not show him to be an incarnation of the Supreme Godhead, one of the main aims of the original text. He thus fails to convey the book's spiritual import and message. He also omits many other details which tends to make the narrative hard to follow. He seems to have gone more for poetic effect than clarity in many places. The language is simple and it reads more like a fairy tale than a great epic. Good for beginners, otherwise only average. Find another edition if you want the complete story presented in the mood of the original.
Amazing.......2005-12-13
I was enthralled with this story years ago and continue to be. This condensed translation I think is excellent because it allows those who don't want to read an exhaustively long original version to experience this masterpiece of mythology. As an influencial piece in Hindu culture, understanding this writing is crucial for understanding human nature.
But I am appalled by the writer from October 2003 who ignorantly trashes the Ramayana and in doing so the whole Hindu culture. Sure there are parts of the Hindu culture that are hard to understand--but must I point out the Christianity is not the easiest to understand? A culture that promotes peace and loving thy brother only if they are Christian--if not kill them--is not one I find any easier to understand than culture that promotes turning away from a raped woman.
Oh, and let's not forget the Crusades. Christianity is chock-full of war, rape, and killing--it is called the Old Testament.
Importantly, if some readers are constantly turning their mind to their own lives while reading a delicious piece of historical art such as the Ramayana, maybe they should open their minds, realize that these were tales told to teach and build morals (like don't rape women or bad things will happen), and try to learn from other cultures--not to criticize everything your close mind cannot comprehend.
So, pick up a copy of this classic for a cultural experience that you'll be thinking about long after you have finished it.
Very enjoyable book.......2005-07-26
Although the book is sufficiently detailed it is very easy to read. Humorous at times and marvelously poetic it is expertly adapted for a Western reader. The old epic of Rama's life explores one's imagination with vivid pictures af far as the reader is ready to go.
If I was Rama, William Buck could be my press agent........2004-06-22
William Buck brings out the metaphysical aspects of the epic tale. Rama and his brother must perform a journey that allows them to grow and understand nature and the world on the way. They must overcome many hurtles and meet with the good and bad.
Two of the creatures I found fascinating is Hanuman who claims he is only a monkey and does not know any better. He is admonished and reminded if he is aware of that then it is no excuse. The second character is Ravana who knows in a world where there is no black and white that he is supposed to be an evil antagonist. But his role is important to the story and the world.
The illustrations by Shirley Triest are simple line drawings with shading to give an added richness to the story with out distracting from the writing.
I made the mistake of reading "RAMA" by Jamake Higwater first. That was a bad move, as I did not understand the richness of the story until I read this version. Now that I have a few more versions under my belt, I must say that this is my best. In addition, I have the audio tape now it is time to start the Mahabharata.
Customer Reviews:
A fun read to include in your Indian cultural study.......2007-07-20
I'm an anglo-American who works at a U.S. company that includes thousands of Indian. Like everyone, I've found the more I know about a person's culture the better we work together. I think this stems both from better understanding values and thought tendencies, as well as good will from making the effort. While I've studied a lot about Japanese and European history and folklore, my knowledge of what an Indian child learns does not extend much past having watched the movie "Ghandi".
My 12-year-old son has been interested in Indian mythology and chose this book. I found it lying on the table one day, scanned the intro and got hooked. The fact that Ramayana is so pervasively known across the diverse states of India made it seem like an essential book for me.
As I enjoyed the adventures, romance and morality stories I kept wondering about what the original poem is like. Others reviewing here seem to agree that the while Narayan's adaptation is modern, accessible and abbreviated, it is faithful to the spirit of the original.
I plan to read it again, or perhaps another adaptation, in order to commit the character names to memory. It will be fun to discuss with my Indian friends -- especially if I remember it better than they do!
Interesting and fairly easy to understand.......2006-11-08
This book was required reading for one of my college classes. It proved to be interesting and not terribly difficult to read.
Narayan's Ramayana.......2002-06-09
As a fan of Narayan's work, I was fascinated to see how he would tackle the grand subject of the Ramayana, a work that runs through and certainly influences all of Narayan's stories. The result is one of his most delightful and beautifully written novels. I think it is important to approach this book not as "THE" Ramayana, but one storyteller's unique vision of the timeless epic--even as a variation on one of his Malgudi novels (the characters certainly bare a distinct resemblance). Narayan's writing is extremely sensitive, refined, yet full of humor and charm. Throughout he adopts the tone of a storyteller, openly acknowledging that he is only "retelling" a story by a much greater storyteller, and leaving out the juciest parts at that. His little asides where he explains, "And here the poet described the scene so touchingly..." are at once reverent and amusing, as Narayan wisely omits anything too excessive or poetic that might derail his narrative. But the story itself is wonderful, a colorful, full-blooded telling of the Ramayana, sparse, fast-moving, but with all the hallmarks of Narayan's style. This book is a must for any fan of Narayan's fiction, Indian writing, or mythology. Narayan effectively conveys the epic's timelessness, with characters and situations that echo throughout literature and film, full of profound human emotions. And this is always one of Narayan's chief strengths, to create believable, complex human characters. In his treatment, even Rama and Sita emerge as sympathetic individuals, not the cardboard cut-outs all too common given their extraordinary powers. In short, this is a magical and engaging work that I know I will read again and again in the years to come. I invite you to do the same!
A Gripping Story out of a Great Epic........2002-04-09
The story of Ramayana is in the blood stream of everyone from India. The original epic was written in the 4th century BC in Sanskrit, by Valmiki. Poets in every Indian language have retold this story. This present book relying on the Tamil Kamban version, presents before the reader the essential story of Ramayana. R.K Narayan, with the command of the English language and love for fast story movement, narrates the kernel of the epic poem in an engaging manner, for the sake of the English reader not familiar with the original version. Naturally, some of the elaborate details had to be left out and some narratives had to be condensed. This made the enormous epic into an enjoyably gripping story, in less than 200 pages.
Dissapointing Version of a Great Epic.......2000-09-05
Given the extensive length and painstaking detail of the original Ramayana, I welcomed the idea of a shortened prose version. Unfortunately, Narayan's version is poorly executed. First, he never quite manages to settle into a specific way of telling the story. Sometimes he writes as though he intended this to be a text book relating the events and variations of the original story. At other times, he writes as though he is a story teller himself. This uncomfortable juxtaposition detracts from the flow of the book. Also, while I realize that this is intended as a shortened version, I think Narayan goes too far. 171 pages is not nearly sufficient to adequately convey the stories and their intricacies. Narayan skips between detailed passages and quick, choppy narratives which ends up being distracting and interupts the book's continuity. Finally, I was appalled by the frequent gramatic errors in the book. Most noticeable were the dangling prepositions scattered throughout the text, which prove very distracting. All of these problems combine to make this book an unrewarding read as well as a shoddy version of a wonderful epic.
Book Description
A sweeping tale of abduction, battle, and courtship played out in a universe of deities and demons, The Ramayana is familiar to virtually every Indian. Although the Sanskrit original was composed by Valmiki around the fourth century BC, poets have produced countless versions in different languages. Here, drawing on the work of an eleventh-century poet called Kamban, Narayan employs the skills of a master novelist to re-create the excitement he found in the original. A luminous saga made accessible to new generations of readers, The Ramayana can be enjoyed for its spiritual wisdom, or as a thrilling tale of ancient conflict.
Customer Reviews:
An Accessible Version for the Beginner.......2007-09-01
I should say immediately that I have no background of any kind in Indian culture, myth or religion. So in reading this small volume I was a complete outsider and a complete beginner in the Ramayana epic. For me, this retelling (in prose) was an excellent first step into unknown territory. I was able to follow the thread of the story and at the same time get a good sense of the epic grandeur behind the myth. I learned about the inviolability and power of a promise, no matter how whimsical or ill-conceived it appears when given; the sacredness of all life, even that which appears lowly; the presence of gods among us in a great variety of forms; and at least one idealized view of the relationship between a man and a woman.
Oh, and it was a whopping good story, much deeper and more packed with meaning than the Greek and Roman myths I was raised on as a child. As I think back, I can recall the Greco/Roman mythology only as a collection of pleasant stories of gods who behaved like children, made decisions for petty reasons and who liked to interfere in the lives of men simply to cause trouble, fulfill sexual desire or seek revenge. I remember wondering when I read Greco/Roman myths how anyone could have "believed in" such gods or even taken them seriously in the way religion is taken seriously today.
The Ramayana conveys a completely difference sense of the divine which, although very ancient, is still significant in the modern world. In the Ramayana gods and humans are always seeking spiritual enlightenment, to do good in all the worlds and to honor each other. The Ramayana is inspiring in the best sense of word.
I also found the introduction by Pankaj Mishra very helpful in understanding the history of the epic and its continuing importance to Indians. There is also a useful Cast of Characters with name pronunciations and a small Glossary at the end explaining some important terminology that appears in the book. If you're new to the Ramayana, as I am, I highly recommend this book.
Book Description
The original Ramayana—a classic tale of war between absolute Good and Evil—was written 3,000 years ago by Valmiki, a reformed thief-turned-sage. Now, with breathtaking imagination, Indian novelist Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere. For 13 years, Rama and his companions in exile have defended themselves against the brutal incursions of the rakshasas. Finally, in the bitter battle of Janasthana, he achieves the long-sought victory, retiring to the sunny glades of Panchvati to wait out the last months of exile. But unknown to Rama, the demoness Surpanakha has survived and escaped—back to the hellish island kingdom of Lanka. There, she provides the key to resurrect her stricken cousin Ravana, lord of the rakshasas. And the resurrected Ravana seeks only one thing—vengeance against Rama.
Customer Reviews:
PLEASE READ THE INDIAN EDITIONS INSTEAD.......2007-07-10
If you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.
The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!
Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.
Ashok K. Banker
www.ashokbanker.com
Not as good as its predecessors, but still amazing!.......2006-05-30
This book wasn't as good as I expected it to be, and by Banker's standards, it was definitely below his usual talent. I especially didn't like the description of Hanuman as a scrawny, small vanar without any confidence. I also expected a mace fight between the exiled vanar king Sugriva and the evil usurper Vali. But no, instead, Sugriva never encounters Vali in a one-on-one, and the usurper is killed in a different fashion (how I will not tell you). However, that is not to say that the book is bad. In fact, if you did not have as high of expectations as I did, you will really enjoy it. The book starts off with the riveting conclusion to the Battle of Janasthana (which goes on for seven, awesome chapters). The abduction of Sita is superbly written, and I could read that part over and over again and still get chills. All in all, this book is highly recommended, but keep in mind (for those Ramayana fans) that this book does have its flaws.
Onward to Lanka !!!!.......2006-04-08
Armies of Hanuman, the fourth book in the Ramayana series by Ashok Banker, retains all the qualities which have made the first three books so popular -- gripping storyline, believable characters, a strong philosophical background rooted in the Vedic way of life, and a fresh treatment of the epic.
The story begins with the last battle between Rama and the Rakshasas of Dandakaranya. From the first page itself, it is clear that this is yet another un-puttable book from Mr Banker :). the action is taut and original, providing ample glimpses of the author's uncanny ability to create images from words. every scene in this battle, and the rest of the story, jumps out of the pages. The reader cannot help but swing from tree to tree, with the beloved hanuman, watching the bloodbath unfold. After a exhausting battle, he pauses to catch his breath -- only to realize that there are at least 300 more pages to go !! such is the tapestry woven with words that every strand resonates with clarity of thought!
Mr Banker does exploit artistic liberty, especially for a retelling, in the episode of Vali vs Rama, where he portrays Vali as a vanar who has crossed over to the dark side, and hence needs to be eliminated. It is a very original (am I using this word too much in this review? Hmm . wonder why ??? :) ) take on a traditionally controversial topic, and gives some food for thought.
This book introduces two new social systems into the "Rama-verse" (Ramayana's Universe) -- Lanka and Kishkindha, the cities of the Rakshasas and the Vanars. We have certainly been to lanka before, but it is in this book that we are intimately introduced to characters other than Ravana himself and Jatayu, his erstwhile hench-vulture -- Mandodari, Vibhishana, Ravana's sons, and of course - Surpanakha, who plays an important role in the story. The vanar city is beautifully rendered, with detailed descriptions of the various species and sub-species of Vanars.
what sets this retelling aside from all other retellings is the strength of sita's character. Sita exudes confidence befitting an Arya princess, even in the wilderness. She is not shy to pick up a sword to fend off Ravana's advances, and at the same time, displays "stree-sulabh bhav" , yearning for motherhood and a simple life with her husband.
I am eagerly waiting the release of the next book !!
Ashok's Ramayana. By far the Best........2006-02-04
I have read all the five parts of the Ramayana and here's my review:
It all started with my reading the Prince of Ayodhya. I picked it up from the bookstores as I wanted to plunge into the epics of India and chose a rather unknown author for taking forward this quest of mine.
The first chapter on the 15-year old Rama being tormented by Ravana in a nightmare was captivating. But when I proceeded further on Ashok's descriptions about Dasaratha and his amorous tastes for wine and women, I was wondering whether this is a fantasized version of the great epic. I put down the book for a few days (for no fault of the book or its author, I now realize!) and then picked it up again to read on. I could, thereafter, never stop reading. The entire book was interesting because it was fresh, it was a modern way of retelling, the characters were live.
I quickly purchased all the parts and read them without much of breaks.
I realized that Ashok is a gifted storyteller; he has done enormous research of the epics to be so much in control over this complex subject; his mix of the religious philosophy with fiction and drama is perfect. It's over a month since I read the last part viz. Bridge of Rama and I'll capture here my memories of the epic tale from this master storyteller:
1. Rama's pristine purity is amazing. While being a very strong and brave person that he naturally is, his being humble in the presence of his parents, brothers, countrymen is a lesson every reader would love to emulate. Rama is portrayed in full colour epic hero that he really was and is.
2. When Rama shares the sorrow of his father's demise with Guha, the description of the scenario makes you weep for Rama and Lakshman.
3. Sita's depiction as a brave, bold lady ever ready to challenge an opponent, is refreshing.
4. Ravana making a proposal to Sita that he can give a royal pardon if she were to only admit to the Lankan public that the seed of the child she was bearing was that of Ravana's, was well portrayed.
5. The battlefield scenes were rather gory and I felt so much detailing could have been avoided. Despite this the suspense at the battlefield were thrilling at times. One example is: Rama finding a way at last to defeat the Beserkers in the battlefield, which lifted me off my feet.
6. Rama negotiating peace with the demon cousins of Supanaka where in one breath he apologizes for the error of Lakshman slicing of rakshasi's nose and ears while at the same time pardons her illicit advances towards him was glorious.
7. Rama motivating a humble vanar into a mighty Hanuman was amazing. After reading those parts I visited the Nanganallur Anjaneya Temple in Chennai where people worship a 32 feet mighty Hanuman statue. Prostrating before that mighty but humble statue gave me a new meaning of Maruti. And the surname 'Whiteleaf' was again refreshing.
8. The characters: Bearface Ratnakar (who is sure to turn Valmiki), scheming Mantara, boisterous Guha, angry young vanar Angad, mischievous vanar Sakra, terrible Supanaka, cowardly Mareech, more terrible Ravana, ever-obedient and angry Lakshman, sagely Vishwamitra, lustful Kaikeyi... are all very well portrayed by the author. So much so that the characters jump off the book and play the tale before you.
The depiction is like a large canvas painting where the master painter has ensured that he paints even the characters and objects in the far background in vivid detail an colour.
Overall, all parts blend well to make it a great epic. The storyline is consistent and actually improves with each part.
My Teenager Finally Reads Ramayana.......2006-02-01
I am a teacher at the local Indian Sunday School who's faces the challenge of making Ramayana and other epics more interesting and palatble to NRI teens. Ashok has finaly done that. For that I am eternally grateful. The first such book of this genre that I had read was Elaine Aaron's Samraat, many years ago and more recently KM Munshi's Krishnavatara. This retelling of the epic is complete, engaging and is the winner of the ultimate compliment: My teenager wants to read all of the novels after reading the first one. I of course have finished reading all of them, some of which I had to order from Amazon UK since they were not yet available in the US. Thank you Ashok
Average customer rating:
- A REQUEST FROM THE AUTHOR
- A great read!
- What a huge let down in climax!
- Gripping through all four thousand+ pages...
- Brilliant!
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King of Ayodhya (Ramayana series)
Ashok K. Banker
Manufacturer: Orbit Books
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1841493317 |
Book Description
The original Ramayana—a classic tale of war between absolute Good and Evil—was written 3,000 years ago by Valmiki, a reformed thief-turned-sage. Now, with breathtaking imagination, Indian novelist Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere. Rama, king-in-waiting, has crossed the ocean, and the great war has begun. Ravana, lord of demons, unleashes terrible sorcery to deal a crushing blow to Rama’s forces. Before they can recover, he sends forth a legion of warbred rakshasas more terrible than any seen before, and the soil of Lanka runs red with the blood of Rama’s warriors. Still, the brave vanars and bears rally and fight on, despite the formidable odds. The war descends into a brutal maelstrom as champions die and heroes sacrifice their lives for Rama’s cause. And then Ravana commits the most dreaded act of all: rather than surrender Sita, he executes her before Rama’s eyes. On this darkest day, it hardly seems to matter that Rama’s exile is ended, and that he is now free to return to his homeland to claim his rightful place—as King of Ayodhya.
Customer Reviews:
A REQUEST FROM THE AUTHOR.......2007-07-10
If you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.
The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!
Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.
[...]
A great read!.......2007-05-19
A nice series. Does deviate from the original in places. The last volume is a bit gorey, maybe Mr. Banker spent too many years as a horror writer.
What a huge let down in climax!.......2007-02-24
***Warning: Some plot spoilers ahead***
After going through five brilliant page turners in less than a month, I could not wait to get to the final one, the one with the great battle between Rama and Ravana but Hey Ram, what a huge let down.
Apart from the fact that so many stories from the Ramayana have been changed (like Indrajit's arrow had injured only Lakshmana and not both Rama and Lakshmana and he was revived by the Sanjeevani Bootee not by the king of birds Garuda). But that is not even my main issue with this book, Mr. Banker after all is free to interpret stories his own way.
The real letdown is in the last 100 pages or so. The war with Ravana almost ends with a whimper. No reason is provided for why Ravana chose to wait almost until the end to enter the fray personally, no explanation is provided on what cause Ravana's behavior to change after being revived by Suparnakha, no explanation is provided on what was his grandiose plan that prompted him to kidnap Sita. Almost overnight, Ravana turns into this fatalistic person who surrenders to his fate that he will die at the hands of Rama but nothing is said about the reason for this transformation.
Mr. Banker owes me an explanation and a rewrite of the book six.
Gripping through all four thousand+ pages..........2006-09-30
This is book 6 in the six-part series Ramayana written by Ashok Banker. It's phenomenal.
The only Hindu mythology I knew was from reading Amar Chitra Katha comics. But this is like reading Lord of the Rings mixed with Harry Potter. It's easy reading and has just the right mix of action and description. It's definitely a more 'adult' retelling of the epic both for its gore and bloodshed, as well as for the way in which Ravana, the antagonist, is given a chance to explain himself (though maybe not quite enough).
Ashok Banker very deliberately portrays Rama as a righteous falliable mortal, rather than as a demi god - which I feel appeals much more to todays generation.
I gave it four stars only because, by the sixth book, Mr Banker's style had become a little too predictable. That said, changing his style too much may not have resulted in a cohesive series so I may be penalizing him unfairly.
I've now started telling my mum stories from the Ramayana! :)
Brilliant!.......2006-09-05
This is the 6th and last book in the modern retelling of the Ramayana. It was sorry when it ended. The Ramayana is one of the most famous epics in Indian history, making it a very hard act to follow - everyone and their grandparents (literally) have either read the Ramayana or have heard its stories and would be very sensitive to a retelling that misses something. The Ramayana series has succeeded beyond my expectations. I would recommend that you try reading the books without preconcieved notions about how the story should be told. It retells a timeless tale in a contemporary way.
Average customer rating:
- Simple But Powerfully Evocative and Imaginative
- A nice adaptation with gorgeous art work!
- Amazing
- Beautiful, exciting artwork and a bold tale
- Vivid art, inspiring story
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Hanuman
Erik Jendresen , and
Joshua M. Greene
Manufacturer: Tricycle Press
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 1582461252 |
Book Description
This retelling of one of India's most sacred texts, the Ramayana, recounts how the great monkey army helped save Princess Sita from a demon king.
Customer Reviews:
Simple But Powerfully Evocative and Imaginative.......2007-04-08
I had ordered this for a gift for a young nephew, but think I may just read it to him and keep it for myself until he's old enough to appreciate the beautiful paintings that illustrate this ancient tale. It's a wonderful introduction to Hanuman, the most devoted of servants. Text and illustrations mesh perfectly, and there is so much life and movement, not to mention gorgeous color! High praise to everyone involved.
A nice adaptation with gorgeous art work!.......2006-01-15
This is a children's rendition of the later portion of the Ramayana, pertaining specifically to Hanuman's role in freeing Sita from Ravana, her abductor. It has great moral lessons while still being an adventure. There is some violence that a very small child might find scary (we see soneone with a spear through him) and it's definitely a military motif, but given that Rama's identity is as a warrior that is appropriate. A great adventure with attractive illustrations!
Amazing.......2003-03-18
This book has an amazing story and amazing pictures. It's great~
Beautiful, exciting artwork and a bold tale.......2002-11-22
This telling of the Hanuman myth is fascinating for kids and adults alike. The tale of a monkey who battles the ultimate evil is vividly illustrated, and unlike many children's versions of myths, doesn't pull any punches. My 4-year-old son absolutely loves it, and I enjoy reading it to him. The pictures are dramatic and colorful, in kind of a Frank Frazzeta kinda way, and they fit the story perfectly. Highly recommended.
Vivid art, inspiring story.......2002-02-09
My kids (5 and 9) and I love this book. The artwork is vivid with wonderful details. They respond to the humor, the magic, the characters--both frightening and heroic, the great adventures and the selfless actions in this great story. I've seen one other illustrated version of this story in a collection and found the pictures to be weak and unimaginative. These paintings are gorgeous. This was the first book I reached for to read to my children after the WTC attacks. The children were reassured by this tale of good triumphing over evil.
Book Description
The original Ramayana—a classic tale of war between absolute Good and Evil—was written 3,000 years ago by Valmiki, a reformed thief-turned-sage. Now, with breathtaking imagination, Indian novelist Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere. The invasion has begun, and the bestial demon hordes roar towards Ayodhya. If Ayodhya falls, then all mortals fall. Rama must go to Mithila—a city lying directly in the path of destruction. There, a small band of heroes plan a valiant stand against the advancing armies of darkness. But Lanka's forces are nearly boundless and have swept all before them. For at the head of the demon tide rides Rama's nemesis, a terrible slayer of souls—the demonlord Ravana.
Customer Reviews:
Charming, but............2007-09-24
Mr. Banker is an exceptional story-teller, an artist with words and has wonderful imagination. But, he takes liberties with the original Ramayana as written by Valmiki. It makes for a good read; I liked Banker's Sita and her spunk much more than the traditional one. She comes across as a strong minded girl-woman who tried to take her Destiny in her own hands. Some of the words he uses to convey regional/ ethnic flavor were jarring as the words have Urdu/Hindi base and not Sankrit. So the effect that the saga is from aeons ago is destroyed!
I loved seeing Kaikeyi in a completely different light; however I'm puzzled why he needed to make her completely wanton- consorting with strangers? with the palace guards?
Manthara and her witchcraft and spellbinding. As also her power over Kaikeyi.
A good book overall. With new thoughts and interpretations of the original.
Full of action, intrigue, and fascinating characters.......2007-09-01
The only possible flaw in this book is not a problem with the book itself, or the writer. The problem is that characters who are perfect are inherently boring. (My mind leaps to those movies with Jesus gazing piously into heaven, benevolently healing everyone, gently smoothing away discord among the disciples -- never frowning, never raising his voice, never doing anything INTERESTING, dammit!)
Rama, the hero of this epic, is always pious, always obedient to his guru, and fulfills the dharma of his caste flawlessly and without hesitation, with no thought for self. He doesn't even feel the stirrings of more-than-brotherly feeling toward Sita his bride until AFTER he's won her hand.
But it's not really as bad as it sounds; Banker does a good job creating moments of questioning and decision, where Rama must test himself. Of course, most of those moments are undone a bit, when the sage Vishwamitra casually mentions, "Of course, I knew before the test began that the outcome was inevitable." Still, Rama is much more interesting in this book than he was in the first one. He has personality and character. And his brother Lakshman becomes more than a mere follower, but an individual in his own right.
I really liked the first book (Prince of Ayodhya), but enjoyed Siege of Mithila even more. There was a lot of action, and by now we know all the major players so well that we care about them a great deal. Can Third Queen Sumitra possibly get out of her predicament? Is Captain Bejoo making his last stand, riding out against the Asura army before the gates of Mithila? Did Rama, with his final act, truly do the horrible and devastating thing to his own people that it sounds like he did, and how can he possibly justify it??
I am really, really looking forward to getting my hands on Demons of Chitrakut, to find out what happens next!
PLEASE READ THE INDIAN EDITIONS INSTEAD.......2007-07-10
If you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.
The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!
Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.
Ashok K. Banker
[..]
actually 3.5 stars.......2007-05-31
I have been looking for an English version of the Ramayana with lot of intricate detail. This series by Ashok Banker certainly provides a fair amount of detail.
However, to me it was not a 5 star work or even 4 star. The books are written in pulp style and while the books are page turners they did not have an impact on how I think about the Ramayana.
I think Rama's portrayal as a flesh and blood human was one of the strengths of this version. In addition, I really liked Sita's character in this book (much more than the more traditional versions of the Ramayana that I have read).
To me the biggest flaw in this version was that not enough justice was done to Ravana's character and that he comes off looking a little too much like Voldemort from Harry Potter (I wonder when Banker started writing these books). In the original Ramayana, Ravana's character really captures one's imagination. That said, these books are a lot more engaging than the Harry Potter series (and also the Lord of the Rings).
I was also a little annoyed by the use of some Urdu words through the text (e.g. Wafadar). In the context of the Ramayana, these words make no sense and it would have been far more powerful to have actually used Sanskrit equivalents.
On the whole though, this is an engaging book (and series) with some notable flaws but is surely worth a read for Ramayana fans.
Excellent follow-up to Prince of Ayodhya!.......2006-05-24
This book was awesome! I have never read anything like it! Banker's Ramayana is by far the most entertaining adaptation that I have read of the epic series. Everything is on a grand, gargantuan scale. The characters are rich and vivid in description. This book is so great, words fail to capture its greatness! Get this book,open to the first page, and prepare to be immersed in one of the best religious/fantasy books I have ever read!
Books:
- The Ramona Collection, Vol. 1: Ramona the Brave / Ramona and Her Father/Ramona the Pest/Beezus and Ramona
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo: A Novel
- The Swiss Family Robinson (Unabridged Classics)
- The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- The Three Musketeers (Barnes & Noble Classics)
- The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Fiction (Bantam Classics)
- The Unvanquished
- The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About
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