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Of Chitrakut (book 3 of The Ramayana) by Ashok K. Banker check out website: www.orbitbooks.co.uk
Vibhisena searches across the cleansed land looking for any remains of his brother Ravana, the once lord of Lanka. He finds him buried in the ground fixed inside clear rock, as if an insect trapped in Amber. He returns to Lanka with his find, but this in itself presents new problems.
Rama and Sita (his new wife to be) return to Ayodhya to be wed and for Rama to be crowned the new ruler the following day. On the way, they are confronted with the ancient and powerful warrior axe wielding Brahmin Parshurama. Rama confronts the unbeaten warrior and beats him. He gives him a choice and uses a mighty celestial weapon on him. They arrive at Mithila to celebrations of Rama's wedding to be and his ascension to power, but events unfold that change these major events during the night and Rama and Sita are forced to leave Ayodhya. His brother Lakshman joins them. News spreads fast as people cannot believe what is happening. Rama's group travel to the forest of Dandaka-van, full of demons and wild animals to face fourteen years in exile. If you didn't know this series is based on the Ramayana, an old text written three thousand years ago by a thief turned sage Valmiki. This is the third book in Banker's re-interpretation of this vast story. What a story it is panning out to be. He seems to have now found a comfortable point to tell the story from. The first book, 'Prince of Ayodha', was a bit shaky but the series has now gotten up to speed. This book is rich in characters. Even the side characters are given room to develop and move in the plot(s). There is an interesting balance in giving characters in Lanka such as Jatayu and Vibhisena are allowed to show there own voices and view points. The 'evil' demon society of Lanka shows interesting shades of grey and even light. This really expands the story, and you get to see what control Ravana had over them and their families and races. It explores dark and light on both sides with a more closed in feel for the first half of the book. Set mainly in the palace, it demonstrates complex politics and plotting that would be out of place in something like the TV series 'The West Wing'. Jatayu - the king of the vulture like race with human faces, is beautifully explored adding depth, and side interest without making the book meander. The characters have greater depth, especially Rama, but also the relationships are developed and explored more fully throughout. It's a longer but more thoughtful book and definitely the best in the series so far. This book is really doing a great story the justice it deserves. It shows some of the roots of modern day fantasy. I would strongly urge people to read the whole of the series to get the fullest picture. This book would and could be read in singularity, but I think you would be missing out. I can't wait for the next book.
This re-telling of an ancient tale is panning out to be truly impressive. If you
are the slightest bit interested in fantasy or even to get a flavour for ancient
Indian history and society then this series of the Ramayana is a good place to
start. Phil Jones
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OTHER REVIEWS - November 2004
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Rama
with the assistance of the Guru Brahmarishi Vishwamitra released Brahm-astra (a
mighty cleansing weapon) against the invading Asura Hordes wiping them out almost
completely. The water from the sacred Ganga (ganga-jal) purifying the land, cleaning
away any remnants of the Asura races.
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