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The Forest of Enchantments


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!’

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6 Ratings

Ramapriya Raghavan Reviewed on: 10-01-2021
The forest of enchantments

Beautifully written from Sita" S perspective.


Zinia J. C. Reviewed on: 07-11-2020
The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I always thought that Ramayana was a bit warped in it's ideals and message until I read the Sitayana. I love mythology and enjoyed reading this book.


Shweta Rai Reviewed on: 05-09-2020
Good n engaging read


Deepti Kabra Reviewed on: 13-10-2019
Forest of Enchantments

Beautiful and yet heartbreaking! The portrayal of love in so many different blights was wonderful to read !