Lanka’s Princess by Kavita Kane | Book Review
Blurb:
Surpanakha, Ravan’s famous sister. Ugly and untamed, brutal and brazen—this is often how she is commonly perceived. One whose nose was sliced off by an angry Lakshman and the one who started a war. But was she really just a perpetrator of war? Or was she a victim? Was she ‘Lanka’s princess’? Or was she the reason behind its destruction?
Surpanakha, which means the woman ‘as hard as nails’, was born as Meenakshi—the one with beautiful, fish-shaped eyes. She is often the most misunderstood character in the Ramayana. Growing up in the shadows of her brothers, who were destined to win wars, fame and prestige, she, instead, charted out a path filled with misery and revenge.
Accused of manipulating events between Ram and Ravan, which culminated into a bloody war and annihilation of her family, Kavita Kané’s Lanka’s Princess makes us see the familiar events unfold from the eyes of a woman more hated than hateful...
Review:
Lanka's Princess is a book
by Kavita Kane who has penned many bestsellers based on mythological characters
in the past. I have read Karna’s Wife written by her and have loved it.
Lanka’s Princess is the story
of Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, who is often held responsible to instigate
Ravan to abduct Sita, and sparked war between Ram and Ravana. She is a grey
shaded character who has always been portrayed as an antagonist in the Ramayana.
Surpanakha which means the woman as hard as nails was born as Meenakshi. She is
one of the misunderstood characters of Ramayana. An unwanted child and
described as ugly and dark by her own mother, Meenakshi suffers a lot. It was
interesting to read her story and the author has also done a marvellous job in
bringing her into life in the pages of the book.
She even as a young girl,
was constantly at the receiving end of her mother’s hatred. Both the parents
take sides: with the mother siding with Ravana and the father taking side of
Vibhishana. Meenakshi aka Surpanakhaa’s birth was a disappointment for them that
she could never really get over. She was mostly disregarded and always bore the
wrath of her mother’s ire until one day Kuber shows up at her place threatening
to abduct her. It is at this point that she shows her mother what she is made
of and she is finally accepted by her mother into the family (although it is
short lived).
Often we tend to love or hate a particular character, be it in a fiction or real life. But what we usually forget are the circumstances that construct the character into what it is currently. After reading the book, we come across the life of this infamous character of Ramayana which compels us to think more about her.
Often we tend to love or hate a particular character, be it in a fiction or real life. But what we usually forget are the circumstances that construct the character into what it is currently. After reading the book, we come across the life of this infamous character of Ramayana which compels us to think more about her.
From the very
beginning, I was hooked to the book which is highly intriguing. I loved the way
the author has narrated the story and depicted various characters from
Surpanakha’s eyes. The book is a sure page turner and a must read for all who
are interested in mythological fiction.
I received a free copy from Writersmelon in lieu of an honest review.
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