Indian Classics
The Real Reads Ramayana is beautifully written, with a simplicity which yet contains all the drama of this remarkable story. Prema Jayakumar also manages to cover so many of the subplots, and weaves them in seamlessly, so the book never seems endlessly complicated as can so easily happen. Raji has illustrated the book beautifully, full of wit, drama and finesse. She combines traditional styles with a contemporary flavour, making the book reader-friendly without losing its epic quality. I am very happy to endorse this book.
Jamila Gavin, respected children’s author who often writes about English/Indian cross-cultural issues. Her many books include Coram Boy (Whitbread Book of the Year 2000) and The Wheel of Surya (Runner-up Guardian Children’s Fiction Award 2005).Ramayana
Rama is the embodiment of righteousness, honour and valour – the perfect man and the ideal king of Kosala.
Rama’s stepmother Kaikeyi longs to see her son Bharata crowned king, and persuades King Dasaratha that Rama, the rightful heir, should be sent into exile for fourteen years.
Rama’s beautiful and devoted wife Sita, and Lakshmana his inseparable half-brother, both choose to accompany him.
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana live happily in the forest until the demon king Ravana is told by his sister that Sita is the most beautiful princess in the world. He decides to kidnap her, and lures her away to his kingdom in the south. Rama and Lakshmana must rescue Sita, and call on the great monkey army, led by the warrior Hanuman, to help them find her.
Rama uses his time in exile to learn the true meaning of devotion and loyalty, but will the lessons earn him the reward he deserves?
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Mahabharata: How It All Began
If there ever was an epic that touches upon every conceivable human emotion and poses the most complex of questions, it has to be the Mahabharata, the most famous of stories from India.
The rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, royal cousins fighting for the throne at Hastinapura, will end in a mighty battle, but what is it that makes such a conflict inevitable?
Is it the eldest Kaurava brother’s envy of his cousins’ exceptional military skills? Is it the eldest Pandava’s belief that he is the rightful heir to the throne? Or are elements beyond their control deciding the path each will take?
In the first of this exciting three-part story, meet the fascinating characters who play such important roles in escalating the tension between the two families.
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Mahabharata: Rolling The Dice
If there ever was an epic that touches upon every conceivable human emotion and poses the most complex of questions, it has to be the Mahabharata, the most famous of stories from India.
In the second book of this exciting three-part series a single roll of the dice reverses the fortunes of the Pandavas.
The peaceful years following the division of the kingdom of Bharata are soon to end because of Duryodhana’s jealousy. With his uncle Sakuni he now plots to secure the entire kingdom for the Kauravas, but will his cunning strategy work? Can the Pandavas ever win against the cunning Sakuni?
Yudhishtira, the oldest of the Pandava brothers and the architect of their misfortune, is prepared to gamble away his territory, his wealth, his brothers, himself – even his wife. What can the Pandavas do now?
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Mahabharata: The Final Battle
If there ever was an epic that touches upon every conceivable human emotion and poses the most complex of questions, it has to be the Mahabharata, the most famous of stories from India.
The deadly rivalry between the royal cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, can only end one way – in the mightiest of battles imaginable. The gods watch in dismay as the opponents draw up their forces.
Will the mighty warriors Bhishma and Drona survive to see the end? And what of Karna? Where will his loyalties lie – with his true friend Duryodhana, or with his brothers, the Pandavas? Lord Krishna sees what is about to happen, and is so concerned that he comes to earth to counsel the mortals, especially the distraught Arjuna.
In the last book of this exciting three-part series, the final battle fought on the field at Kurukshetra decides who will triumph and who will fall.
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© Real Reads 2013