Em Lost In Books's Reviews > Kaikeyi

2.5*

First, what I liked about this. Childhood of Kaikeyi, and what prompted her marriage with Dashrath. Kaikeyi as a child and as a young woman was portrayed beautifully. Her mother leaving her husband and the kids, upbringing/grooming of Kaikeyi as future queen, and what made her so tough, it was easy to grasp and understand all that. Her life after marriage, how she slowly won over her peers, and most importantly her initiative to improve the treatment of women in her kingdom was mesmerizing. Author's imagination in these parts was amazing.

Now, what I didn't like. When they say ignorance is a bliss, they're right. I must admit it is my own belief and what I have known/taught/learned since childhood that restrains me from truly enjoying this. I find it hard to accept the representation of Rama. Story's representation of evil as good and good as evil didn't set well with me. Perhaps if I was not aware of the mythology I would have enjoyed it but knowing how it went and how it was told here, this freedom that author took I was unable to accept even after knowing that it is just a story and doesn't change a thing about what I know.

So in my opinion if the reader is unaware of Ramayana, they are going to enjoy it and if they know then it is going to be tough to accept what Rama is in this book.