The Ramayana is an epic poem by the Hindu sage Valmiki, written in ancient Sanskrit sometime after 300 BC. It is an allegorical story that conta... read full description
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Jan 07, 2012
Barbara
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This graphic novel version of the Hindu legend Ramayana--the original tale was written in 300 B.C.--is told from the point of view of Sita, a queen and wife of Rama. Trouble comes in the form of Surpanaka whose desire for Rama's brother is not returned, and ends in Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana being banished from their lands. When King Ravana sees her beauty and wants her for his own, he ends up imprisoning her while assuring her that her husband will not come for her. Things go from bad to worse w
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Jan 07, 2012
Jayaprakash
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Excellent art in a traditional Bengali style underpins this retelling of the Ramayana, one of India's two great epics, from the perspective of Sita, wife of the hero of the story. The narrative is often very good, raising questions about the moral implications of characters who tend to be venerated as gods in this country. But despite some stunning moments, the narrative doesn't go as deep into the issues and perspectives it touches on as it could have. Perhaps part of the problem was that the a
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Dec 27, 2011
Aurina
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I would give the artwork 5 stars; the book is truly stunning visually. Sadly the writing doesn't match up. I wish the book would've concentrated more on Sita's exile rather than the traditional Rama vs Ravana story. It does, to its credit, look at the war from Sita's perspective: Instead of the monolithic good vs. evil story that we've been raised to believe, Sita despairs over the massive waste of life and limb caused by the battle. Worse, we find out Rama undertakes the mission not to save his
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Dec 18, 2011
Penelope
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This is a beautiful book and a well-written retelling of the Ramayana. I hadn't heard of this story before reading this book, and haven't read any other versions. After reading this one, however, it struck me as the Indian equivalent of the "Helen of Troy" story in a lot of ways. It's interesting how stories with similar themes pop up in different cultures. Of course, the details of the story are quite different, but I felt there were many similar messages.
There is a ve More...
There is a ve More...
Feb 17, 2012
Frances
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This is a beautiful book and a different perspective on the classic epic. It reminded me of Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad, which tells the story of Homer's Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus's long-suffering wife, waiting at home for the wayward hero whose resolve to get home is tested by various nymphs and goddess-seductresses who try to divert him from his objective. Let's just say he seems a bit too willing to be diverted. In Sita's Ramayana, Sita's impatience with the whole ma
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Oct 16, 2011
Rachel
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For a story where the main theme is the triumph of good over evil, Sita definitely got the short end of the stick. But I guess that's what happens when you hear the story from the woman's point of view. In other versions Rama always comes off looking squeaky clean, so this version certainly adds some perspective to the tale.
Found the adaptation of a traditional art form, Patua scroll paintings, to the graphic novel format intriguing. Wish there had been more info on the artist/traditi More...
Found the adaptation of a traditional art form, Patua scroll paintings, to the graphic novel format intriguing. Wish there had been more info on the artist/traditi More...
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Oct 01, 2011
Mary Lee
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This is, first and foremost, a visually stunning book. Wow.
And even though I don't know any other versions if the story, it still seemed a bit radical to hear the story from the woman's point if view.
The ending -- wow.
It was hard to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and the story line is strange...but I suppose not any more strange than the familiar strangeness of Greek mythology. Will I put this on the shelf in my fourth grade classroom? Maybe I'll ha More...
And even though I don't know any other versions if the story, it still seemed a bit radical to hear the story from the woman's point if view.
The ending -- wow.
It was hard to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and the story line is strange...but I suppose not any more strange than the familiar strangeness of Greek mythology. Will I put this on the shelf in my fourth grade classroom? Maybe I'll ha More...
Feb 01, 2012
Dani
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I'm biased, because I'm friends with the author. I wish I knew more about the Ramayana so I could contextualize this interpretation. Even with the scantest of knowledge about Hindu mythology, this was a very enjoyable read and the writing and pictures are gorgeous and complement each other wonderfully. This is a spectacular graphic novel.
Nov 15, 2011
Hayley
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I like the idea of this more than I liked the actual book. Using images from a Patua scroll painter, and telling the story from the perspective of Sita, Rama's wife, this is a twist on the Hindu epic poem. But I found some of the pictures confusing, and the editing down of the story makes it choppy and leaves some things unexplained.
Nov 11, 2011
Danie
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A beautiful rendition of Ramayana with Sita as the main character. The illustrations may upstage the story, reader beware.
Feb 20, 2012
Morgan
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The images were beautiful. I'm not used to reading graphic novels and on occasion found it confusing.
Oct 27, 2011
Elizabeth
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Interesting graphic novel version of the Ramayana, from Sita's and other women characters viewpoints.
Jan 30, 2012
Mirele
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I couldn't get through the first few pages--too many characters! It's confusing.
Sep 29, 2011
Ed
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A stunning graphic novel version of the Ramayana from Hindu mythology.
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Oct 12, 2011
Radhika
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Really enjoyed the book. It is simply and honestly told. The Patua art is fabulous.
Feb 09, 2012
Kerry
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I'd never heard of the Patua scroll-painting tradition. Moyna Chitrakar sings her Ramayana scroll.
Jan 08, 2012
Kathyred
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The Ramayana is a traditional epic poem in India about Rama and his relationship w/ his wife Sita, involving kidnapping, wars, warriors, gods, demons, super monkeys, super weapons, honor, ideal behavior, etc. This is a graphic novel treatment of the story, and told from Sita's POV instead of the traditional POV of Rama. It was a good introduction for me as someone who knows practically nothing about the story, because there's no way I would plow through the 7 books of the original
Jan 01, 2012
Aimee
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It was interesting to read in the afterword that the art in this book predates the writing; it is certainly the stronger component. I wish I knew what all the characters' gestures and postures mean. Still, I enjoyed seeing Ramayana from Sita's perspective, sad though it is.
For a similar though more irreverent version of Sita's story, check out Sita Sings the Blues. The artist has made it available for free online.
For a similar though more irreverent version of Sita's story, check out Sita Sings the Blues. The artist has made it available for free online.
Jan 23, 2012
Sowmya
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I am disappointed because it does not do enough justice to the title. The pictures are literally like watching them on a canvas, though!!
Jan 23, 2012
Bjoy
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Interesting---as long as you don't get too hung up on the names of all the Gods and Goddesses.
Great traditional art.
Great traditional art.
Feb 14, 2012
Odette
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Very lovely art and a good re-telling of the Ramayana, mainly because it focuses on the women who, in my opinion, are the most interesting characters in the whole thing. Especially Trijata. Really, if you re-tell the Ramayana and Trijata is important, I will like your book.
Feb 01, 2012
Geetanjali Tara
rated it:
I hate doing this to myself, the more I read the sadder I get...lets rewrite/reread the cannon..
Feb 22, 2012
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