A beautiful book. So much we limit ourselves thinking about a man and a woman in terms of the physical appearance, capability to reproduce...and in later years with pink and blue. This story shifts the paradigm of thinking and takes you to a different level depicting men with woman capbilities, woman with a man head...and son on. This story set in the times of Mahabarata, beautifully weaves and in and out taking instances from the epic. The first time, read this as a fiction, but there is more to it than than what meets the eye and mind, during the first read. Very impressive book. I always fear how a story of Indian Mythology would read when written in English, for there are many subtle details and not all of them can be faithfully written in English. But Devdutt Pattanaik has done a fantastic job in that respect. The feel of reading a mythology inspired tale seeps through the text.The myth though modified has been juxtaposed superbly, upon the fiction concocted by the author. The narrative is beautiful and the characters intriguing. Many unforgettable characters with extraordinary emotional conflicts. Shilavati and Yuvanashva are two characters that stand out.The narrative reaches its brilliance when Sumedha and Somvati are judged in the mahasabha. The use of these two characters for building up to the conclusion of the book must deserve praise. The author does ask some very interesting questions which are relevant even today. He does justice to these questions in the manner in which he concludes the book.One reservation I have its the significance of the caste system that was very well highlighted by the author. The caste distinction does not form the most important basis for the story-line hence there was no requirement to be detailed about it.Overall a very significant book to come out of India.
What do You think about Pregnant King (2008)?
Tells a lot about mythology(not sure if it is true).But a point well made.
—knl
Was too fictious. The characters couldnt hold the story in-line.
—Makula
quite brilliant.good blend of fiction and mythology
—Green711
I personally think Devdutt has been overhyped.
—justice
