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A review by devinah
Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished by Anand Neelakantan
2.0
Asura was a book which has high hopes and a lot of perspective differences that were not explored before. But it surely is a misguided and a dangerous attempt.
I appreciate the story from dual perspectives and people being gray instead of black and white.
Though it was an adaptation I cant help being disappointed by the forced portrayals.
No one is completely good and survival takes the path. Here Ravana does the same but gets lost in the middle when he stops listening to his mind and his ego takes him.
Its saddening to see the characters like Soorpanagai,Mandodari, Sita, Kumbhakarna, being portrayed as such.
Because they were just reason for Ravana s behaviour.To show reality on Ravana side Devas were shown as barbarians. To show the downfall of Asuras women are shown as reason and All are selfish people except the poor.
Contrasting in each and every chapter the author succeeds in twisting history, mythology and brainwashes that poor are brave and true. Rich people are cowards and selfish.
I have no support for any one but telling the tale of the vanquished must show why,
not force feed its all because of Rama’s tactics and Vibhishana’s betrayal.
Inspite of this there were few good moments
1. Ravana telling the need to have the ten heads for they further ambition and mankind progresses.
2. Athikaya and Angadhan fight
3. Mandodari giving it back to Ravana on his wrongdoings.
And the most disappointing are the women’s characterisation in Asura. Its easy to find fault with her- Stiff, not graceful and dull Mandodari. Polygamous Mala and Soorpanagai without shame and self respect. Spineless crybaby Sita and even Ravana s mother switched sides very often.
Shows the author is either acting on a lot of wrath again women in showcasing them like this where the truth is Deva or Asura or Human, Women are always degraded and reason for downfall.
I couldnt go through the book but forced to read because I cant stop anything I started.
Finally, the book could have been named as “The trials and tantrums of a Reluctant Ravana and the world is to blame”
I appreciate the story from dual perspectives and people being gray instead of black and white.
Though it was an adaptation I cant help being disappointed by the forced portrayals.
No one is completely good and survival takes the path. Here Ravana does the same but gets lost in the middle when he stops listening to his mind and his ego takes him.
Its saddening to see the characters like Soorpanagai,Mandodari, Sita, Kumbhakarna, being portrayed as such.
Because they were just reason for Ravana s behaviour.To show reality on Ravana side Devas were shown as barbarians. To show the downfall of Asuras women are shown as reason and All are selfish people except the poor.
Contrasting in each and every chapter the author succeeds in twisting history, mythology and brainwashes that poor are brave and true. Rich people are cowards and selfish.
I have no support for any one but telling the tale of the vanquished must show why,
not force feed its all because of Rama’s tactics and Vibhishana’s betrayal.
Inspite of this there were few good moments
1. Ravana telling the need to have the ten heads for they further ambition and mankind progresses.
2. Athikaya and Angadhan fight
3. Mandodari giving it back to Ravana on his wrongdoings.
And the most disappointing are the women’s characterisation in Asura. Its easy to find fault with her- Stiff, not graceful and dull Mandodari. Polygamous Mala and Soorpanagai without shame and self respect. Spineless crybaby Sita and even Ravana s mother switched sides very often.
Shows the author is either acting on a lot of wrath again women in showcasing them like this where the truth is Deva or Asura or Human, Women are always degraded and reason for downfall.
I couldnt go through the book but forced to read because I cant stop anything I started.
Finally, the book could have been named as “The trials and tantrums of a Reluctant Ravana and the world is to blame”