The Forest of Enchantments

By: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Narrated by: Deepti Gupta

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

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 center 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 honor, 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!"?

©2019 Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Loved this book

The author has done a wonderful job of sitayana and the importance of balance between love and duty.

Well done but went on way too long

I loved it but struggled to finish because it was so long a story.
Important points were made that have been buried by custom repeatedly. How many times does the message of respecting women have to be learned?

Wow

I love that the story was written from a woman’s perspective. It really at times made my heart swell with gratitude for love . It has a lot of wisdom within its pages . Beautiful narration - quirky - absolute . Beautiful story . Highly recommend for anyone looking into the Ramayana as it is not monotone the story has life

Ramayana from Sita’s perspective

This is really good story. I like the say story was told from Sita’s perspective.

Phenomenal!

I loved this story so much. Full of surprise and wisdom. I don’t read books twice. For this I will make an exception. I love how the spiritual references ties into a story form - the hidden jewels. Amazing. Well done!

Beautifully & Poetically Moving

The imagery, the magic, the imperfection of humanity and its divinity — this tale tore down the veil that often separates cultures. The emotions I had while listening — how it reminded me of my own journeys of self-discovery and the pangs and triumphs of unconditional love in the face of betrayal. This moved me similarly to Brick Lanes by Monica Ali and The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan. I look forward to reading the hard copy and more of Chitra’s works. Simply and complexly divine!

Another beautiful book by Chitra

I have read at-least 3 books written by chitra. This was my fourth book by her! Before Reading this one I had read Palace of illusion and fell in love with that one!! So was expecting similar thing from this book. She did not disappoint!! But of course how Sita thinks are her thoughts and they are so apt for modern world women too! I loved the fierce Sita depicted in this book! She was not weak!
Being from India I knew Ramayan story but some of the scenes were total surprise for me especially Mandodari indicating that Sita is long lost daughter of Ravan’s first born daughter!
But overall I loved this book.
Readers should also note that this is a story from Sita’s perspective . How did she feel by Ram’s actions and her overall life journey is what this book mentions in detail. It does not have other nitty gritty details about how Ram won over Ravan!

Overall loved the book! Narrator has done a good job as well!

Truly a masterpiece

I loved this book. Everything about it and the narration. This is truly a masterpiece. I didn’t want it to end.

Ok not great

I expected more. I liked it. I did not love to the extent I expected. Some parts were boring. Not as interesting as the draupadi book. Going to listen to Kaikeya now

Empowering and enlightening

The true strength of a woman. I cried, and I laughed, but it expended my mind and my heart.