Title: Ramayana: The Game of Life: Stolen Hope (Book 3)
Author: Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
ISBN: 978-81-8495-824-9
Number of Pages: 312
Price: 299 [INR]
Genre: Mythology
Blurb:
In the evil labyrinths of Dandakaranya forest, human values are put to test. Rama’s righteousness, Lakshmana’s loyalty and Sita’s endurance reflect our own sense of values and judgment in difficult times. The story unfolds the facets of human life – the conflict and the trickery, the praise and the slander and, above all, the hope and the despair in the eventful forest life of the Exiled Royals.
Stolen Hope is about extreme deception and extreme love. It is about arrogant power and deep devotion. With every twist and turn, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana find themselves robbed of whatever and whoever they value most.
Exploring the dynamics of human relations – between father and son, husband and wife, teacher and disciple – and the complex game of power and greed, Stolen Hope mirrors our own dilemmas in the modern world and teaches us how we must overcome them.
Seek courage when everything, including hope, is stolen.
As in the first two books, there are footnotes in this book as well. However, this time the author has mentioned the practical aspects of each concept.
I was always fond of reading the Puranas or mythology books. My grandma had a huge collection of such books and I could be seen reading them day and night during my school holidays when I paid a visit to her. Thanks to her, I had won Quiz competitions on Puranas or Vedic Literature. Reading Shubha Vilas’s Ramayana series is like re-living those childhood memories. As I brush up on some known stories from this epic, there were many which were unknown.
It was exciting to learn about many little stories as in why snakes have forked tongue, or why the squirrels won’t hurt even after falling from a great height, or how the audacity of the Vindhya mountains to outgrow Meru was subdued.
There are some sweet romantic moments between Sita and Rama described in the book. Their love is divine and their bond is beautifully penned. Wouldn’t you then believe that somewhere out there…. there definitely is true love? Loved the part where Sita regains hope seeing a flower from the asoka tree after being secluded in Asoka Vatika at Lanka. For her, it represented Rama holding his bow for her protection.
I also loved the little detailing that went into the book. As you turn the pages, you can see a deer hopping from the left bottom corner. The deer would be at the right bottom corner by the time you reach the end of the book. Cute 🙂
Favorite Lines (Spoilers ahead):
Ouch!
I cannot name any. I really can’t.
Do I recommend?
Yes, definitely
Rating:
Vinay Leo R. says
Good that you enjoyed the book, Shalzzz. 🙂 Though I must say, that cover isn’t something I liked. I’ve read the first two books of the series, so may pick this up yet.
Ramya says
Very detailed review Shalzz. I also have many expectations on this book after reading part 1 &2.