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Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree

Simi K. Rao (Goodreads Author)

4.21 · Rating details · 14 ratings · 12 reviews

Life is not about achieving perfection, it's about reconciling with your imperfections.

Poems are fragments of life. In Simi K. Raos unique poetry collection for women, there are blissful moments; deep, invisible wounds; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. The poems and prose pieces compiling the collection are fragments of life ...more

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Paperback, 144 pages

Published September 30th 2019 by Written Dreams Publishing

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Feb 03, 2020 Merril Anil rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-purchase, author-s-handdown, book-tour, e-book

First of all a huge thanks to the author and the team for allowing me to experience a beautiful and unique piece of work. Under the shade of the Banyan tree was a mixed bag for me. You can't exactly call it a work of poetry or a collection of Short stories because it is both. This fact actually surprised me, Intrigued me and at the same time kind of irritated me. So I am going to deal with the review in two halves as to what worked and what didn't in the book for me. Let's begin with the First of all a huge thanks to the author and the team for allowing me to experience a beautiful and unique piece of work. Under the shade of the Banyan tree was a mixed bag for me. You can't exactly call it a work of poetry or a collection of Short stories because it is both. This fact actually surprised me, Intrigued me and at the same time kind of irritated me. So I am going to deal with the review in two halves as to what worked and what didn't in the book for me. Let's begin with the negative aspects as I really want to end the review on a positive note, as overall the book is a surprise bag and nice too.

Under the shade of the banyan tree, as I said, is a mixed bag. It is like what Tom Hank's mother said to him in the Forrest Gump. Its a box of chocolate, where you never know what you will end up with. I kept bombarded with a poem then abruptly a short incident, and then out of nowhere a short story and almost half of what could have been a full-fledged novel in its own, hitting you when you least expected it. So perhaps I have given you somewhat an idea of what happened to me, while reading the book. So this up and down, left and right, kind of jostled me a bit to be able to keep track and understand how to take this book on.

What I wished was, for the book, was to have some kind of tangible or subtle pattern. If the book had it already, then it clearly missed its mark. In reality, you could see this book as somebody's travel notes. A literary and beautiful collection of words and emotions on everything the poetess/authoress saw in her journey, which in this case could very well be a journey of life. So like anybody's personal diary, it is spread all over yet has the finest and sharpest picture to what is being said and shown.

Ok now that I have ruined everybody's mood, let's perk up a bit. So while reading the book, I may have looked like somebody caught in a hurricane, Hair standing and pointing in all four directions, clothes strewn and screaming for rescue, the book is a gem in an individual capacity.

I would recommend this book for the sheer weave of words by the authoress/poetess. Out of her collection, Loneliness, Tyrant, woman, Red are some of the poems that were a lightning bolt for me. It zapped me and left me trembling because of its intensity. This intensity is two-fold. One for the theme and second for the words and how they were so powerfully put together. There was a couple of line like
"We must repent for the sins of our master" that was simply outstanding when you match it with the context in which it was said. The poem Loneliness scared me for being how true and apt it was. It was like a mirror for me ( shudder )

In conclusion, I would say that I have no idea how to conclude on how exactly the book was. On one end, I tried making sense of the pattern of the book, so that it could ease me in. So everything was coming at me like an express train and with powerful blows. Some of the poems, especially the tyrant, could not have been apter for our current times.

So many beautiful lines and words, that no doubt the authoress/poetess is a connoisseur with her words but at the same time, it definitely made me feel that something was lacking. Like eating french fries without sauce. Though you might love and enjoy french fries individually, with the sauce it would have been something else. So that is kind of how I am feeling about the book..... confused? well me too

But don't miss the book at all... Some of the poems are worth engraving and there was a story towards the end that I had wished would have been a full-fledged novel.

...more

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Feb 08, 2020 Agapi Gregoriou Loreley rated it really liked it

"A beautiful maiden, a nasty dream, a sensitive bitch, a stoic queen..."

I am a survivor. I'm a proud feminist. Its only natural to read these amazing words and genuinely smile! These words speak to me so, so loudly on such a deep level...

A massive 'Thank you' to the author, Simi K. Rao and to Kelsey Butts for letting me experience this unique reading journey.

This book is a collection of intense short stories. It is also a collection of heart-wrenching poetry. If you want to read about a ...more

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Mar 19, 2020 Krisha Bayer rated it really liked it

Me Is All I Can Be

I tried my best
to talk the talk, walk the walk
But fail miserably
Who am I trying to be?

I strive to be
the best of the best
I fall, lie bruised and battered
When will I be free?

I paint myself
like a rainbow
But end up
like a fool

I work hard
to be what I can never be
So, to save me some trouble
I better just be me.

Isn't it amazing how poems touch your very soul and just reflect in it?
That's how I felt on some of her writings and poems. Powerful. Deep.
I didn't even realize I was almost ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Melina Lobo rated it really liked it

There are some who await
the call of the moon
Who stalk amongst us
reckless and brazen
Beware of the beast.
🦄🦄🦄
Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree is a collection of poems and prose by Simi K. Rao.
While reading the book I was trying to figureout what direction this book was trying to take, but everything seems random.
The poems are a mix of various topics with the short stories thrown in.
Lone Cloud was definitely one of my favourite poems, just because I could relate to it.
I preferred reading the ...more

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Feb 21, 2020 Pamela Scott rated it really liked it

Shelves: simi-k-rao, review-copy, first-read, poetry

https://thebookloversboudoir.wordpres...

Id never heard of the author before so had zero expectations for this collection of poetry and short stories, though mostly poetry with less than half a dozen pieces of prose. Sometimes its better that way and you can be pleasantly surprised as I was reading this. What threw me a little is there seems no real link between the pieces. Id be enjoying some beautifully crafted poems then out of nowhere would appear a story several pages long which was ...more

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Mar 01, 2020 Kelsey Fagan rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed Rao's style and flow and how she put together her collection. The assortment is a mix of her own life experiences and of those of her friends and family which makes it far more realistic and enjoyable. Life isn't always easy to write about and even harder to share with others. For Rao, the emotion comes out in each poem clearly. You can tell she took her time in writing and arranging the poems and short stories to best convey certain emotions.

Read my entire review here: ...more

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Oct 20, 2019 Priyasree rated it it was amazing

I have read all the novels/books by Simi K Rao. This collection of poems and short stories is different from her previous books but it is yet another a marvellous work by her.
Let me begin with the cover of the book first, which deserves to be mentioned. The cover consisting the picture of banyan tree, is nostalgia to me, it takes me back to my childhood days. I have fallen in love with it.
Now coming to the poems, they are simple yet have a profound meaning. Each of the poems tells a story of ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Sudha Mahadevan added it

Simi K Rao has the gift. She is on familiar grounds, while spinning a yarn or while giving a poetic touch. I can relate to the nosegay of experiences. She just needs to describe and the story evolves. Never once does she sink into the pedantic. Awaiting her next release.

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Oct 06, 2019 Sonali rated it it was amazing

Another masterpiece by Simi k Rao ! You cant help but see the world in a different light ...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Mahathi Ramya rated it really liked it

This collection of short and sweet poems featured by Simi is like the mirror of life's moments. These poems are some subtle moments expressing the feelings or reminiscing some lovely memories.

I usually don't enjoy poetry, so I don't pick poetry books to read. But, this poetry is simple to understand and clearly written from the heart.

I loved some poems like - War, Me is all I can be, Life an ugly cousin.

The Stranger really reminded me of someone that I know. The poem 'Woman' is heart touching. ...more

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Dec 11, 2019 Surabhi Kaushik rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 14, 2019 Sudha rated it it was amazing

Wonderful poems on wonder women, author. You have penned down their 'Silent screams' with empathy and emphatically too in this book. I could truly connect with the genuine emotions.
Interesting short stories.
I am not fond of Chai but your 'A Cup of Chai' is my favorite, author. Loved it.
Thanks for writing this awe-inspiring masterpiece.

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About Simi K. Rao

Simi K. Rao

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Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years.

The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary ...more