Book Review : Prince of Ayodhya, Book One of the Ramayana
By Ashok K. Banker
Rewriting a classic epic three thousand years after it was originally written takes guts. Especially when the epic is Ramayana and its chief protagonist is considered a God by the majority of the Indian population. The author attempts to make the Ramayana more available to modern readers. He gives the bare details flesh and covers the bones of the story with characters that are as believable as they are lovable. The distant Lords and Sages suddenly become no more than humans who are trying to fight to preserve their way of life. Something that people today can identify with very well indeed.
I was quite interested in the treatment that he would give the ancient story seeped in mythology. I was not disappointed at all with the way he has written the book. In fact I am looking forward to the next novel in the series. Yes, I call it a novel because he has bridged the difference. Despite knowing the story I am interested in knowing the little details that he is embroidering into the tale. If you are interested in learning how to make a well loved and known tale into a new discovery this book is a must read.
