LANKA'S PRINCESS Paperback – 1 December 2016

The last chapters got me bawling my eyes out…. She’s so misunderstood and she’s really miserable. If a person is the most loneliest, it has to be her.I just can’t…. 😭😭😭😭😭Lanka’s Princess by Kavita Kané is a must read for readers who are looking for women’s fiction representing women who are misunderstood all their lives.This book is a retelling of a part of the Ramayana epic from the perspective of Supernakha whose real name given at her time of birth is Meenakshi (most of us do not even know this!).This female character in Ramayan has been portrayed as a woman who has no personality other than either for lusting after Lakshman, the brother of Ram/ brother-in-law of Sita; or the one whose nose was cut for her misconduct and hence be the woman who no one wants to look twice. Such is the shame given to this character throughout the years maybe in the TV show or in various other format adaptations.I feel really grateful to have read this book and I would like to congratulate the author for giving this misunderstood female character her rightful place.The writing is very easy to get into and the way the characters or the events are written is gripping for such a story which are the reasons why I just couldn’t put down the book.The story tells her role in how she has become the way she is; her perspective on why she did the things she did for which everyone came to dislike her; her estranged relationship with her mother and brothers; her love life and the betrayals she endured.I was sobbing the entire night when the book ended. My heart broke because I could see how miserable she was and how misunderstood she felt.I appreciate the author for showing her as she was: the good, the bad and the ugly.

I love reading different interpretations of Indian epics. This book was one such. I came to know about new characters like Vidyujiva & new facts like Meghnad (Indrajit) being unconquerable. Having said that, I couldn't really bring myself to have any sympathy for Meenakshi (Surpnakha).Meenakshi was still a mean & vile creature. Also, it was difficult for me to digest that she orchestrated the War of Lanka. Too much manipulation for my liking!

BOOK REVIEW: LANKA’S PRINCESSAUTHOR: KAVITA KANEREVIEWED BY: DR AMIT THADHANILanka’s Princess is a short, racy and extremely readable fictionalized account of the Ramayan character Surpanakha aka Meenakshi. From her childhood to her last moments, the author vividly portrays the circumstances that made Ravan and Kumbha’s little sister Meenakshi transform into a vicious, uncontrollable Surpanakha who leads Lanka to its destruction. In this book, Surpanakha comes across as a central character in the plot of the Ramayan, without whom it would simply fall apart – a strong, sensuous, loving but vindictive person, who makes those responsible for the killing of her beloved husband and son pay for it by cold-bloodedly plotting their destruction.The author skillfully narrates the Ramayan from the perspective of Surpanakha while avoiding feminist and victimhood traps and staying true to the original story. The well fleshed out characters of Lanka’s Princess reveal different aspects to their personality while in no way condoning them – for example, Ravan is a loving and protective but mean and self-centered brother and at the same time a serial rapist, murderous despotic monarch. The females in Kane’s book are strong personalities who make their own choices and shape the destiny of their families, from ambitious, scheming Kaikesi to loving, sacrificing Urmila and the sexually aggressive and manipulative Surpanakha.The plot moves along at lightning speed from the forests of Dandaka to the palaces of Lanka culminating in the final encounter with Lakshman at Ayodhya, keeping you engrossed throughout. If you’re enjoy Indic fiction or are looking for something to carry along or read on your Kindle on your next short trip, buy this book. It’s a great read.

A good book but only for a newbie or those who don't know anything about Surpanakha: it will provide a gist of her life.

Kavita Kane writes about female protagonists who haven’t been given much importance in our epics. This book explores Surpanakha’s character in deep detail, including her fear and negativity.Lanka’s Princess is the story of a girl, Meenakshi, youngest in the family and named for her beautiful eyes. She is daughter of Rishi Vishravas and sister to Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Vibhishan. Her character is shaped by the various circumstances, like her mother and brothers regularly neglecting her. The transformation of a kind Meenakshi into Surpanakha who is full of vengeance and hearted is saddening. This imparts a logical depth to her character, which makes it predictable for us to sympathize with the villainous protagonist.Kavita Kane has put a lot of research in this book.The book takes you through her entire life, her upbringing, her strengths, her fears, her likes and dislikes. Its talks about her marriage to the person she loves, his murder, her sorry state as a widow, the agony of a mother who loses her young son. She is a strong lady who is not afraid to speak her mind.The book is easy and fast paced. The language is simple and the characterization is beautiful. I loved the character of Kumbhakarna. He is the most loving character.I totally loved this book, just like all the other books by the author. There are a few grammatical errors and a few typos, but I can totally ignore those because the story is beautiful. It gives a different POV to an old story. I totally recommend it to all the people like me who love mythological retellings and feminist writing.I would give it a 4/5.