harini's review
2.0
Have you ever read a book that you admire but don’t really understand? Well, Aranyaka is that book for me. I absolutely adore the art work of this book and that’s no surprise considering that Amruta Patil is a genius. The bold colours and simplistic yet mesmerising sketches draw you in immediately. As beautiful as the art work, the narrative style left me unsatisfied.
The story is inspired by Vedas and builds upon forest symbolism from Vedic literature. The novel tells the story of the sage Yajnavalkya and his two wives, Maitreyi and Katyayani. Rishi Yajnavalkya is remembered today mostly for his philosophical debate with Gargi at the court of King Janaka. Instead of Yajnavalkya, the authors put the women in forefront and tell the stories of Katyayani the Large, Maitreyi the Fig and Gargi the Weaver. Through these characters, the authors explore the basic human attributes like, hunger for food, hunger for knowledge, fear, and sense of debt.
Despite of the strong base, the story development falls short. The disjointed narrative style never really let’s you connect with the characters or the story. I just wish that the authors had toned down on the style and stuck with the simple and tried method of story-telling. Or am I just missing the point?
Still, I really liked this book and would recommend it.
The story is inspired by Vedas and builds upon forest symbolism from Vedic literature. The novel tells the story of the sage Yajnavalkya and his two wives, Maitreyi and Katyayani. Rishi Yajnavalkya is remembered today mostly for his philosophical debate with Gargi at the court of King Janaka. Instead of Yajnavalkya, the authors put the women in forefront and tell the stories of Katyayani the Large, Maitreyi the Fig and Gargi the Weaver. Through these characters, the authors explore the basic human attributes like, hunger for food, hunger for knowledge, fear, and sense of debt.
Despite of the strong base, the story development falls short. The disjointed narrative style never really let’s you connect with the characters or the story. I just wish that the authors had toned down on the style and stuck with the simple and tried method of story-telling. Or am I just missing the point?
Still, I really liked this book and would recommend it.
mahimam's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookyeller's review against another edition
5.0
It is sooo good! So vivid and so magical!
The Devdutt and Amruta they both worked on it and it doesn't feel like that any one of them is overpowering each other.
The book reflects their both's share and it is great!
The Devdutt and Amruta they both worked on it and it doesn't feel like that any one of them is overpowering each other.
The book reflects their both's share and it is great!
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