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The Forest of Enchantments
Review By: Garima Agrawal
Pace: Medium to Fast
Level: Beginner
Genre: Fiction, Mythological/Religious fiction
Overview:
Review:
Books like this remind me why I choose to read.
"The Forest of Enchantments," written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is a retelling of the epic Ramayana from Sita's perspective, presenting a Sitayan. It strives to voice the untold story of Sita, offering its own interpretations of the tale. The narrative portrays not only Sita's anguish but also that of other women and their hidden stories.
After reading "The Palace of Illusions," another of Chitra's books, I often wondered how her retelling of Sita would unfold. Unlike Draupadi, Sita has traditionally been portrayed as the 'ideal woman' in our society, and the relationship between Ram and Sita is often idealized for newlyweds. It's interesting how Sita has been used as a symbol for women, suggesting they should endure rather than retaliate, with phrases like, "Remember Sita, who was sent into the forest." This portrayal has always baffled me; did Sita not feel anger, sadness, or frustration when facing her hardships? Did she not deserve a life of dignity? Why must women constantly have to prove their worth? "The Forest of Enchantments" attempts to answer these questions and successfully conveys a wide range of emotions..
Name: The Forest of Enchantments
However, I must admit I was somewhat disappointed by the writing, which may sound controversial. In the initial chapters, I found myself hoping I wouldn't fall into a reading slump. Some moments made me cringe, and others where I wished different emotions had been represented. Fortunately, the writing improves as the book progresses. Chitra’s delicate yet impactful prose shines through, making it a treat to read. I ended up pulling an all-nighter to finish it. While I appreciate the book for its efforts, my expectations were high, particularly in terms of character portrayal. I had anticipated a different representation with distinct characteristics, especially regarding Lakshman, who is one of my favourite characters in the Ramayana. I hoped for a more nurturing instinct from Sita towards him, but that was lacking. Perhaps if my expectations hadn’t been so high, I might have enjoyed the book more.
What I did enjoy was how the novel humanized the characters, revealing their flaws. It illustrated that even the divine beings manifesting on Earth in human form are imperfect and are learning through their experiences. The narrative explores the good within the bad and the bad within the good. It delves into the multifaceted aspects of love and how it can feel like being pulled in different directions. It shows how fulfilling one duty can sometimes mean sacrificing another love.
A disclaimer to the readers though, the book has stripped these godly deities of their aura. It makes them merely human, which I've seen not sit well with many. Read this book at your own discretion.
Despite my familiarity with various retellings of the Ramayana, I still felt something was missing in this one. When I completed the book, I just kept looking for more, which I never found.
One significant takeaway from the book was the curiosity it instilled in me. It made me eager to learn more about other characters from the Ramayana and similar epic tales. What about Urmila, Ahilya, Hidimba, Mandodari, Menaka, and all those mothers and daughters who have faced anguish and unhappiness in their stories? I find myself motivated to uncover these untold stories from our mythology, seeking narratives that have yet to find a voice. I want to explore the lessons intertwined in those tales, experiencing the rage, love, fear, and happiness that still await me. I feel urged to read more retellings of characters that have been overlooked, providing different perspectives and fostering empathy for all involved.
This book reminded me of the concept of 'sonder,' the feeling that everyone around us, including strangers, has a life as complex as our own, often unrealized. We sometimes become so engrossed in a single narrative that we forget to consider what others might be feeling, what they desire, and what they need.
I will conclude by saying that I am grateful for the new understanding I have gained of Sita and for the empathy and curiosity that this book has sparked within me.
Favourite characters: Sita, Hanuman, and Urmila
One-Line Review: A book that leaves you feeling empathetic.
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