This is about the Ramayan told from Sita's perspective and it is as interesting a perspective as Draupadi's in 'The Palace of Illusions' It was a nice, easy read and brought out the perspective of Sita very well. Sita comes across powerfully as a character.
The story is known but Chitra Banerjee still manages to surprise. Sita as the warrior, the healer, the one who is prepared for a tough life. He love for Ram, the tenderness they share, the palace intrigues with Kaikeyi - when told from Sita's perspectives it all becomes so believable and so mortal. The follies of man, committed by Ram and his father and all else are shown. The relationship with Ravana which they suggest is that of a father - daughter, her facing up to Ravana's advances, her surprise at being asked to prove her purity by taking a test of fire and her final betrayal when Ram banishes her in the end.
But she saves up the best for the last - not accepting Ram's offer to take another test of fire and return as the Queen which she rejects and prefers to be swallowed by the earth.
Lovely reading.
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