Reviews

Sita's Ramayana by Moyna Chitrakar, Samhita Arni

crystal_reading's review against another edition

4.0

"War, in some ways, is merciful to men. It makes them heroes if they are the victors. If they are vanquished--they do not live to see their homes taken, their wives widowed. But if you are a woman--you must live through defeat...you become the mother of dead sons, or an orphan, or worse, a prisoner."

I found this book very powerful. There is action, adventure, love, war and all kinds of things going on, but underneath there are truths pulsing like "Violence breeds violence, and an unjust act only begets greater injustice."

christcore's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

Beautiful, and beautifully told. The plot and characters were a little dizzying, but that’s just because I’m unfamiliar with the story. The diagram of characters in the front of the book was so helpful.

divyasudhakar's review against another edition

3.0

The artwork was the best part of the book. While I liked the story, it didn't blow my socks off. It didn't focus as much on telling Sita's story as I'd have liked. Indeed, it didn't focus much on any of the details of Ramayana as much as I'd have liked. Instead it gives a very sweeping overview of the epic not wanting to miss out on any of the salient points. Probably the only ballsy move of the book was to choose to start the story from the exile but in doing that they missed out on the opportunity to lay the groundwork for what Sita was like growing up and how she comes to marry Rama in the first place. I'd have loved for it to be longer with a lot more focus on Sita's life in Dandaka, her relationships with her brother in law, her captors, Hanuman and others around her.

But again the artwork was gorgeous and if they ever come out with full blown out posters of some of the art, I'd love to buy them.

paperpix's review against another edition

2.0

The art deserves 5 stars.

emeraldreverie's review against another edition

5.0

So gorgeously told, enveloping and enrapting.

jkw7072's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

shriya_vn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

It’s an incredible version of what I was looking for, which was sita’s version of the Ramayanam. The writing highlights the aspects of the epic that aren’t talked about as much, such as the casualties of the war and Rama’s treatment of sita. Overall, very good if you want to shift your perspective on the epic and rekindle your love for it.

Aside from the writing, the art is beautiful and I love how it gives insights into a very specific region of India and their culture, as I’m am not from that region. I’ve never seen the characters depicted like this

Ok that’s all lol

pwbalto's review against another edition

5.0

In this book, a Patua scroll painter has adapted the Ramayana as a fast-paced, brilliantly bold graphic novel. All of the suspense, treachery, sorcery, and pathos of this epic is depicted in homemade natural dyes layered onto paper in energetic lines, rhythmic patterns, and fields of hot, bright colors. Taut but soulful narrative and dialogue help to tell the story, especially for readers unfamiliar with Hindu iconography.

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2012/03/sitas-ramayana-by-samhita-arni-illustrated-by-moyna-chitrakar-review.html

books_plan_create's review against another edition

4.0

Lovely retelling of the Indian story in a graphic novel format. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend!

refvemma's review against another edition

2.0

The writing was bland but the pictures were great!