Ladies of the Lores

by Prabir Kumar Dash

Three ladies of mythology - three villainesses. Are they? The author paints extraordinary pictures of their lives and comes to a completely different conclusion.

216 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2024

Reviews

[Om Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished *Ladies of the Lores* by Prabir Kumar Dash, and it’s a captivating, fresh take on mythology that left me rethinking stories I thought I knew. This book dives into the lives of three mythological women often labeled as villainesses, but Dash challenges that narrative with a bold, nuanced perspective. Instead of accepting their infamy at face value, he paints vivid, deeply human portraits that reveal their complexities, motivations, and struggles.

What I loved most is how Dash reimagines these women. Each story feels like a window into their souls, blending rich mythological detail with emotional depth. The writing is engaging and accessible, making ancient tales feel alive and relevant. Whether it’s exploring their choices, their pain, or the societies that shaped their “villainy,” Dash crafts a narrative that’s both thought-provoking and immersive. You start to question: were they truly villains, or were they misunderstood?

The book’s strength lies in its ability to balance storytelling with insight. Each woman’s tale is distinct, yet they connect through themes of power, agency, and defiance. Dash’s research shines through, but it never overwhelms the storytelling—it’s like listening to a wise friend unravel myths with a modern lens. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the conclusions he draws are surprising yet convincing, urging you to see these women in a new light.

*Ladies of the Lores* is a must-read for mythology fans and anyone who loves stories that challenge stereotypes. It’s a short but powerful journey that leaves you questioning narratives and celebrating the strength of these remarkable women. Dash has created something truly special that lingers long after the final page.

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of Lore compassionately rewrites the way we look at some of the most misjudged women characters in Hindu epics- Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka. These women who have long been reduced to identities like rakshasi, demoness, or antagonist are, in this book, allowed something rare and deeply human: their own voice.

The author does not attempt to turn them into heroines here, nor does narratives asks us to disregard their action in the epics, but shows us another side of these characters, to pause and look again through the lens of emotion rather than judgment.

Putana is not only the woman who came with poison but also a mother shaped by longing. Hidimba is more than a outcast wife in Bhima’s life she is love, sacrifice, and quiet abandonment. Tadaka emerges not as a symbol of chaos, but as a woman carrying the weight of rejection, loss, and solitude.

What makes Ladies of Lore deeply moving is its the narrative is crafted simply, clear, and reflective. There is no dramatic retelling, no attempt to shock or make it controversial. The author here brings out those emotions of these female characters which are inherent in women like love, pain, motherhood, loneliness, and the silent strength of women who lived for others.

This book is a retelling of mythology but it also shows us that stories told through generations often silence women not because they lacked depth, but because no one paused long enough to hear them.

Ladies of Lore is a tender, thoughtful read asking us to meet these women not as villains, but as beings shaped by love and loss, just like us.

[Udoti Mohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Book Review: Ladies of the Lores by Prabir Kumar Dash

“Good and evil aren’t as simple as myths say“

Ladies of the Lores is not mythology rewritten for spectacle it is mythology reframed with compassion. Prabir Kumar Dash turns his gaze toward three women from the epics—Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka figures long dismissed as villains or footnotes, and restores to them what history denied: voice, dignity, and humanity.

Dash does not attempt to glorify these women or absolve them of flaws. Instead, he presents them as real individuals shaped by fear, love, motherhood, rejection, and survival. This honesty is the book’s greatest strength. By stripping away centuries of stigma and judgment, each chapter gently peels back the labels of “demoness” to reveal complex, emotionally resonant lives beneath.

The prose is simple, clear, and deeply reflective. There is no melodrama, no grand retelling of epics only a quiet, respectful narration that feels intimate, almost like listening to a wise elder recount forgotten truths. What emerges is not just storytelling but a cultural correction, compelling readers to rethink rigid ideas of good and evil in mythological narratives.

What makes the book linger is its universality. These women’s struggles feel timeless and human, reminding us that myths are ultimately about people and about whose stories get remembered. Short yet impactful, Ladies of the Lores is a rare, empathetic reimagining that humbles and enlightens in equal measure.

[Bhartiya Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores by Prabir Kumar Dash offers a quietly powerful reading experience that stays with you long after the final page. Instead of retelling mythology in a dramatic or heroic tone, the author chooses a reflective and compassionate approach. By revisiting the stories of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka, Dash asks readers to pause and reconsider why these women were remembered only as adversaries in epic narratives.
What makes this book stand out is its restraint. The writing is clear and unembellished, allowing emotions and ideas to surface naturally. These women are not portrayed as saints, nor are their actions excused. They are shown as individuals shaped by fear, love, rejection, and survival. This balance makes the stories feel honest and deeply human.
Each chapter feels like peeling away layers of judgment that have existed for centuries. The book subtly challenges the reader to think about who gets to tell stories and how easily labels of good and evil are accepted without question. Though the book is concise, its impact is lasting, leaving you reflective rather than overwhelmed.
Ladies of the Lores is ideal for readers who appreciate mythology with depth, empathy, and thoughtfulness. It is less about rewriting epics and more about restoring dignity to voices that were never truly heard.

[Preetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on three major villainesses from mythological Puranas and presents their other side their inner feelings and emotional perspectives. The three main characters we read about in this book are Putana, Hidimba and Tadaka respectively.

Instead of emphasizing their evil nature the book explores their deeper emotions such as their motherly side, emotional wounds, love, sacrifice and the anger that led them to act the way they did, etc. Though the book expresses their emotions deeply it does not justify their evil deeds or actions and that is what I really loved about it.

In simple words this book feels as if we are asking these women why they did what they did and they are finally given a chance to answer. That is how this book felt to me and also not to forget a special mention of the gorgeous cover image which beautifully reflects the content of the stories.

The narration felt a little dense and could have been simpler and easier to follow. Also, since these are well known villainesses from mythology the author could have provided a more detailed introduction to each character which might have made it easier for readers to recall their stories from the Puranas instantly upon reading. Other than this I felt everything mentioned in the book was unique and innovative and I truly enjoyed reading it.

[Sneha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores feels like opening a quiet door to stories we were never encouraged to pause over. Instead of retelling mythology as we already know it, Prabir Kumar Dash gently turns the lens toward women who were long branded as villains and left behind in the margins of epic tales. Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka are not rewritten as heroes, nor are their actions defended blindly. What Dash offers is something rarer: understanding.
The strength of the book lies in its restraint. The writing is simple, calm, and thoughtful, allowing emotions to surface naturally without dramatic exaggeration. Each chapter reads like a reflective conversation, inviting readers to sit with discomfort and question inherited judgments. You begin to see how fear, survival, love, and rejection shape these women, and how easily history reduces complexity into labels.
What makes the book memorable is how human it feels. These stories do not lecture or moralize. They quietly remind us that mythology is also about perspective and power, about who gets remembered with sympathy and who does not. Short yet impactful, Ladies of the Lores leaves you thoughtful rather than overwhelmed. It is an empathetic and necessary read for anyone interested in mythology that listens as much as it tells.

[Booklover_rimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ladies of the Lores" by Prabir Kumar Dash is a refreshing take on three Indian mythological villainesses. The author, through his exceptional storytelling method, gives us a different intake about the lives of these villainesses and puts these characters in more stable, inspiring figures.

Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka are the three villainesses the author presents in this book. Even though these are some of the most unlikable mythological characters, after reading about them in this book, you would like them a lot. The author presents them totally opposite to their stereotypical characters and instead makes them more human, with complex emotional depth, and shows how their demise is solely because of circumstances.

While reading the book, you would never feel bored or think you are reading some retellings, because of the way the author presents their journeys. These stories are going to run through your head even after finishing the book and make you ask questions and think about “what ifs.”

Overall, the book is an engaging, fast-paced read and absolutely an interesting treat for any mythological retelling lovers.

[Meera Gopalakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prabir Kumar Dash’s Ladies of the Lores shines a much-needed light on the forgotten women of epics, particularly those dismissed as “villains.” Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka emerge from these pages not as one-dimensional demonesses but as women with fears, desires, and dignity. The author writes with tenderness, avoiding melodrama or exaggeration. His choice to keep the prose straightforward makes the stories feel intimate and relatable. Each chapter feels like peeling away centuries of stigma and judgment, revealing the humanity hidden beneath. What impressed me most is that Dash doesn’t attempt to turn these women into glorified saints either—he presents them as real, flawed, and relatable. It is this honesty that makes the book resonate. By the end, one feels both enlightened and humbled, reminded that myths are more about people than we care to admit.

[Deblina Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores is a short but impactful book that reimagines three maligned mythological women with rare sensitivity. Prabir Kumar Dash moves away from the conventional portrayal of these characters as monsters and instead presents them as layered individuals caught in circumstances beyond their control. The writing is simple, clear, and deeply reflective. Each woman’s story is told with respect, allowing their voices to come through centuries of misinterpretation. What I loved most was how the book makes you rethink the very concept of good and evil in myth. Rather than retelling the epics in grandiose fashion, Dash focuses on the emotions and humanity of his subjects. This is not just storytelling—it is a cultural correction, asking readers to unlearn biases they have carried unknowingly. It is a quiet revolution in mythological literature.

[Anubhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prabir Kumar Dash’s Ladies of the Lores stands out for its understated brilliance. It does not attempt to dazzle with grand storytelling but instead chooses to whisper truths that feel louder than any dramatization. The stories of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka are narrated in a way that encourages reflection rather than passive reading. I often found myself pausing to reconsider how easily we accept labels like “evil” in mythology without question. The strength of the book lies in its restraint—it neither glorifies nor demonizes but simply humanizes. The author’s tone is intimate and sincere, making the reading experience deeply personal. By the end, it feels less like you have read a mythological retelling and more like you have listened to forgotten voices speak their truth. It is a book that lingers long after.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prabir Kumar Dash’s Ladies of the Lores is a deeply humane attempt to restore dignity to three mythological women who rarely get fair treatment in epic narratives. The stories of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka are retold not with pity, but with empathy. The author’s style is conversational, almost like listening to a wise elder narrating stories by a fireside. The prose is unpretentious, making the book easy to read while still emotionally rich. What struck me was the absence of judgment; Dash lets readers arrive at their own conclusions. I especially admired how each chapter highlighted the universal struggles of love, sacrifice, and survival within these women’s lives. It is not an academic exercise but a heartfelt one. For anyone interested in mythology with a fresh, compassionate lens, this book is a quiet yet powerful gem.

[Abinaya Annadurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Ladies of the Lores is like listening to history from the other side. For too long, mythological women like Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka have been defined only by how they opposed heroes. Dash changes that by giving them their own voices, their own dignity. The narrative tone is respectful and compassionate, steering clear of melodrama. What struck me most is how universal these women’s struggles feel—love, rejection, motherhood, survival. These are not just “demonesses” but complex human beings caught in harsh circumstances. The book is written in simple language, which makes its impact all the more powerful. It doesn’t overwhelm the reader with philosophy but instead nudges them gently toward reflection. This is mythology retold with empathy, and it leaves you with a new way of seeing old stories.

[Sumit RK · Rating 4 out of 5]

What sets Ladies of the Lores apart from most mythological retellings is its tone of compassion. Dash doesn’t just retell stories—he re-feels them. The lives of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka are handled with a gentleness that gives them back the humanity denied to them for centuries. The writing is stripped of ornamentation, which makes the emotional weight stand out even more. Reading this book is like listening to a friend who wants you to see an old story differently. I particularly admired how the author balances cultural reverence with critical insight, respecting tradition while also questioning it. The book is slim, yet its impact is far-reaching. It makes readers reflect on how society labels women and how narratives are shaped by power. A must-read for anyone who loves mythology told with sincerity and heart.

[Read With Her · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores is a refreshing and empathetic exploration of mythological women who have long been vilified in our stories. Prabir Kumar Dash takes figures like Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka and gently peels away the labels of “demoness” or “villainess” to reveal their humanity. His writing is simple yet evocative, which makes the book accessible to all kinds of readers. What I appreciated most was that the narrative doesn’t glorify these women into saints; it allows them to remain flawed, complex, and human. Each chapter feels like a meditation, offering readers a chance to pause and reflect on how easily history demonizes the misunderstood. By the time I finished, I realized I was not just reading mythology but rethinking the way stories are told and inherited. It is a book that lingers in your mind long after the last page.

[Vivek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entering this book, you expect familiar myths, yet reading feels like listening anew. As pages turn, compassion replaces judgment, inviting you to slow down and reconsider stories you thought settled long ago.

With Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka, your reading experience becomes intimate. You sense fear, love, and survival shaping choices, and you begin questioning why these women were reduced to villains for centuries unquestioned.

The prose never lectures you; instead, it gently walks beside you. Each chapter feels reflective, allowing space to absorb emotions and notice how easily labels collapse under empathy while reading quietly onward.

Closing the book, you feel changed rather than instructed. The stories linger, prompting reflection about good, evil, and memory, and leaving you grateful for a brief, humane reimagining that stays with you.

[Oishani Sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores is written by Prabir Kumar Dash and it is a book which gives us retelling or reinterpretation of three villainesses. This book revisits Indian mythology to give spotlight and questions the rigid moral labels given by patriarchy. Author explores their circumstances, conflicts and emotions rather than presenting them as antagonists.

The storytelling is quite empathetic and humane, it reveals how injustice, fear and societal pressure shaped their actions. Nothing is dramatized here just pure and core reflection on how history and mythology silences voices of women while uplifting men and glorifying them. Stories resonate well and leaves a lasting impact.

Narration is great, content is engaging and ideal for people who loves reading reinterpretation of mythological stories. Overall a great thought provoking book. Loved it and recommended!

[Ananya Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores is not mythology rewritten for entertainment—it is mythology reframed for understanding.
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Prabir Kumar Dash makes a compelling case for compassion through the stories of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka. His narrative style is unpretentious yet deeply moving. I was struck by how effortlessly he dismantles stereotypes that have persisted for centuries. Instead of villains, we find mothers, lovers, and warriors who deserve to be remembered for more than their conflicts with heroes.
....
The book asks readers to reflect on how society constructs “good” and “evil” and whose voices get left out of the narrative. It is not a long read, but it is one that stays with you. For anyone who enjoys mythology with depth and humanity, this book is an absolute recommendation.

[Rohan Jethloja · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Ladies of the Lores is that it doesn’t try to give us answers, it gives us questions. Prabir Kumar Dash takes three women from myth who have been vilified for centuries and asks us to reconsider their stories. His prose is gentle, respectful, and never didactic. The beauty of the book lies in its ability to provoke thought without forcing conclusions. Each chapter is short but rich in meaning, encouraging readers to stop and reflect. I found myself journaling after certain passages, simply to process the ideas. This isn’t mythology retold in the usual sense, it is mythology reclaimed. By refusing to oversimplify these women into heroes or villains, Dash restores their humanity. The result is a quiet, contemplative work that challenges tradition while honoring it.

[Pingyolla Mondal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies of the Lores felt less like mythology and more like therapy for forgotten souls. Dash writes with the sensitivity of someone who truly wants to heal the wounds left by centuries of misrepresentation. Each of the three women—Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka—is given space to breathe, her story told with dignity and care. The book does not attempt to erase their flaws but instead frames those flaws as deeply human, not monstrous. I was moved by how the author turns our childhood notions of “villains” upside down, inviting us to see them anew. His prose is crisp and emotionally charged, yet never heavy-handed. This is not a dramatic re-imagining but a gentle unveiling. It is one of those rare books that make you pause, reflect, and carry its lessons quietly into your own life.

[Misty Pramanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Book review : Ladies of the Lores is a short and meaningful book. It tells the stories of Putana, Hidimba, and Tadaka — women who are usually called evil in our myths. But this book shows that they were also human. They had feelings, fears, and reasons for what they did.
The writing is easy to understand. There is no big drama or confusing details. Each chapter makes you think again about who is good and who is bad. I liked how the author treats these women with respect and kindness.
This book teaches us that every story has two sides. It stays in your mind even after you finish reading it. I really liked it and I think many people will enjoy it too.

A quiet, powerful retelling that deserves attention