The Forest of Enchantments

The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni retells the Ramayana from Sita''s perspective, highlighting the struggles of women like Kaikeyi and Surpanakha. It explores themes of duty, betrayal, and women''s autonomy, posing questions about women''s treatment in relationships and the need for empowerment. The Ramayana, one of the world''s greatest epics, is also a tragic love story. In this brilliant retelling, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni places Sita at the centre of the novel: this is Sita''s version. The Forest of Enchantments is also a very human story of some of the other women in the epic, often misunderstood and relegated to the margins: Kaikeyi, Surpanakha, Mandodari. A powerful comment on duty, betrayal, infidelity and honour, it is also about women''s struggle to retain autonomy in a world that privileges men, as Chitra transforms an ancient story into a gripping, contemporary battle of wills. While the Ramayana resonates even today, she makes it more relevant than ever, in the underlying questions in the novel: How should women be treated by their loved ones? What are their rights in a relationship? When does a woman need to stand up and say, ''Enough!''

• | Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
• | Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
• | Publication Date: Oct 31, 2019
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9789353573577
• | ISBN-10: 9353573572