Book Review # 104 Mandodari: Queen Of Lanka: Manini J. Anandani

The book was sent by the author in exchange of an honest and unbiased review.
Blurb:

Borrowing from Sanghadasa's Jaina version of the Ramayana, Mandodari-one of the least known characters of the Hindu epic-is finally given a voice.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful apsaras, she was married off to the mighty Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka. In her story, she speaks about her struggles after her marriage, her insecurities and her pious nature that challenged her husband's growing aspirations. She narrates the rise of Ravana's power and the blunders he made that ultimately caused the downfall of Lanka.

Despite her husband's faults, Mandodari loved him and advised him to follow the path of righteousness. Ravana's defeat in a thirteen-day war turned him into a villain. But what if he were the real hero on his side of the war? What if his downfall was a result of scheming to push him out of power? This is Mandodari's story.

My Take:

One word mind blowing. Couldn't fall in love more. I always have empatised more with the not famous queens be it Urmila, who had to sacrifice everything for Lakshman and never got her due or Mandodari now who went down the history as Ravana's first wife/ queen.

The highlight of the book is Mandodari is portrayed as a normal woman, who chitchats with her friends, feels insecure of her husband's roving eye,is jealous seeing her husband taking other wives,yet standing tall and maintaining her sanctity and decorum as a Queen.

There was more to her personality and the sacrifices she made are exemplary. A story of a simple girl who fell in love with the ambitious powerful king Dasaanand, whose lust for power and beautiful women broke the wife's heart. In spite of knowing Ravan's characterstics she still trusted him and loved him the most. The book prominently highlights the emotional turmoil of a wife, lover.

You connect with the character from the start and as the story progresses she becomes a part of you. You sympathize with her feelings, her journey and also get to know some different aspects of Ravana's personality. Most of the books till now has not justified him as a person, exception I would say Asura. He's depicted merely as a villain who kidnapped Sita.

Sometimes words fail to do justice to the emotions captured by the author, you just feel the and thank the person for making you feel /explore that aspect of the less known one.

I would rate this book 5/5.