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The Forest of Enchantments
- Narrated by: Deepti Gupta
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
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would prefer unabridged naration
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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!"?
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What listeners say about The Forest of Enchantments
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Danielle
- 04-21-21
10 Stars for Greatness
I had read "The Palace of Illusions" a while back and dearly loved the book. I wanted to dive back into the ethereal and moving world that the author, Deepti Gupta creates once again. I especially love the narrator, for her voice remains with me as I recall the story.
This book was possibly more moving than the first book I read. I couldn't put it down, finishing in just over 3 days. My life was put on hold as I intently listened to each twist and turn. This book has inspired me as a woman to hold onto my virtues and always do what is right, even in the face of adversity.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jhansy
- 01-22-21
Make it into a full production film
Everybody needs to see this version of this epic tale. Thank you for this wonderful work of art.
1 person found this helpful
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- bookloverP
- 10-10-20
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!
1 person found this helpful
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- Doctor Dad
- 04-27-22
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
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- Martha
- 02-07-22
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?
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- Janice Stemper
- 10-30-21
loved it, fascinating
wonderful story, brilliant interpretation. heart breaking teachings so true; and yet my heart fights them. I will ponder this story for some time
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- EveG
- 09-06-21
Are you ready to learn many lesson about love?
This truly enchanting tale of Vishnu and Lakshmi’s mortal lives on earth is one lesson after another about love. Interwoven with mythological figures such as Hanuman, the humble and powerful monkey god and his innocent heart, Lakshman the devoted brother of Ram, and Sita as the embodiment of the divine feminine, the reader gets a glimpse into the wealth that is Indian folklore.
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- Flamenco Romántico
- 03-31-21
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.
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- A
- 02-16-21
Beautiful story!
Beautiful story! Such a phenomenal weaving of this holy story💓🤩
I wish Sneha Mathan had been the narrator.
Deepti Gupta’s lifeless and monotonous voice does not do it justice😢