Review of first book: Ramayana
- The Game of Life: Rise of the Sun Prince - Book 1
About the Author: A spiritual seeker and a motivational
speaker, holds a degree in engineering and law with specialization in Patent
Law. Read more about him at - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7705105.Shubha_Vilas
Book Review ★★★★1/2
The Blurb:
Shattered Dreams
is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new
spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful
years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of
Book 1.
Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.
With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.
Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.
With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.
About The Cover:
I must give a
high five to the designer of cover. I loved the cover of first book and second
one is no exception. The cover is very much detailed and I was bound to go back
and have a look at it whenever I found a reference to it in the story.
What I Felt About The Book:
Second in its
series, Ramayana: The Game of Life - Book 2 (Shattered Dreams) definitely lives
up to its expectations. The author continues his trademark of narrating the
story all from an angle we would never imagine it. All stories I have ever read
of Ramayana have been centered on Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana. But then there
is this spiritual soul who made me realize it’s much more than that. All other
characters - Dasaratha, Kausalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi, Bharatha, Shatrugna,
Urmila, Manthara, Sumanthra, Guha, Anasuya, Vasistha and others have their own
share of importance and have something or the other to learn from.
As I have already
mentioned in my review of first book, irrespective of if one has read Ramayana
earlier or not, the book has a lot to get from. There are new insights and turn
of events we generally fail to notice.
What I Liked About The Book:
1. Concentration on unseen events: There are several events
described in the book which never came across my mind when reading or watching
Ramayana before.
2. The Foot Notes: Those pearls of wisdom cannot be missed
at any cost. These small notes also help he current generation reader to
connect with the events and story.
What I Did Not Liked About The Book:
There was anything hard to find that I did not like. But,
for the readers who are not into mythology reading (like me!), the teaching and
preaching might go over the top. That’s a personal choice. Thankfully, the
author has done a great job in not presenting the book in religious manner at
all. That was because the stress is more on characters, their nature and
actions.
It’s a must read for people who love mythology. The series
might also serve as one of the best gift for mythology lovers.
Title: Shattered
Dreams (Ramayana: the Game of Life, Book 2)
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Great review Amita. I had the same views about the book. It was a great read. https://happinessandfood.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/ramayana-the-game-of-life-shattered-dreams-a-book-review/
ReplyDeleteThe book is making noise everywhere. I think the time has come for me to read this book. Thanks for a wonderful review :)
ReplyDeletewow, well penned review. Cant wait to get my hands on the book now. :) Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteWill going to buy it. Read about it on others blogs as well. Seems like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the comments and encouragement... Yes, although not into mythology, I still found the book very good..
ReplyDelete