The Empress of Indraprastha – Entering KuruVansh by Sonali Raje – Book Review: Well as the name suggests, this book is about Mahabharat, but from Draupadi’s perspective. This is the first book from the series of 5 books, covering different segments of the maha gatha. Entering Kuruvansh covers parts from Draupadi Swayamwar to them accepting Khandavpratha as their kingdom, and damn if this isn’t the most exciting book I’ve read in so long. I mean, one of the most celebrated books in our culture and that too a woman’s POV? Isn’t that a treat?
Before telling you more about the book, let me tell you, this is a work of fiction. Not everything that happened in the book is true. It is a wonder that Sonali Raje, the author did in the book, showcasing the story’s varied aspects that have never been explored before. Things like Draupadi’s interaction with Nakul and Sehdev, her feelings for Devika, her meeting with Karn’s family – his kids, his wives, and truly a lot more. I totally loved how she covered such diverse parts of the gatha so beautifully.
I have not read the originals but as far as I know, no author has ever covered these parts. They mostly care about how the story went from the men’s POV while keeping the story in a continuity. However, in “The Empress of Indraprastha” you get to know the story from a woman’s perspective too and I totally loved it to the core.
If we talk about how she put life to the characters, oh my gosh, I am her fan already! She just did it so fluently! Every character in her book is so lively and amazing and relatable and true to their character. Draupadi? Strong yet childish at moments (just like girls her age are). Arjun? Well arrogant yet loving. Bheem? As we all know, foodie and hyper. Yudhishtir? Ah, the statue of righteousness. Nakul? Mischievous. Sehdev? OMG, my fav! Karn? As we all know, ignorant yet sensible. And well, there are so many other characters, I can’t list them all but what I can tell you is, they’re all so perfect! ToT
I agree, because it is based on a historical/mythical (however you take it) story, the author was bound to stick to some aspects of the story but it’s incredible how she’s still done a wonderful job in showing the growth of each character while keeping them true to their actual nature. More than that, the way she wrote some parts, like when Kunti asked Draupadi to agree on the marriage or when she had a talk with Pitamaha Bheeshma regarding Shikhandi, or when Karn’s elder son gave Draupadi 2 Kachoris, her style of framing the moments is incredible.
Let me share my favourite lines too, oh this is the difficult part, coz there are so many. I can’t even list them all here. Oh yes, there’s this one question that I have been talking about in the TLB review circle, in the review live and well let me mention it here too. It’s the question that Draupadi asked Kunti and honestly, I think the question is equally important in present times according to the present society as it was during that time. “You said you understand me as a woman. Let me ask you this – as a woman – would you want to be married to someone simply because their mother ordered them to do so?”
“It is fine to make mistakes. Everyone does that. But it takes the bravest and most courageous person to admit a fault and fix it right away.” Said Krishna. Don’t we always get the best from the best? That’s what I think about Krishna.
I’ll be honest, there was a time when I never believed in anything said by or related to Krishna. But as you grow in life, you see how much importance it holds in the life of a person. And the same is evident in the book too. With every twist and turn, we see so many ups and downs and yet in every step, it’s Krishna that showed the right path to everyone while cheekily staying out of the situation. That’s a talent only owned by that godly body! XD
You MUST give this book a try if you want to read Mahabharata from a woman’s pov, and at the same time, if you wanna get out of your reading slump! It’s such an easy going and flexy read. You’re surely gonna love it!
Get your copy of Entering Kuruvansh today and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or my DM. <3
Till then, check out more reviews at Read With Sonal.