Prince of Ayodhya: The Ramayana, Book 1 (Hardcover)

When I began my reading, the first three books of six had been published: Prince of Ayodhya, Siege of Mithila, and Demons of Chitrakut. In the first book we are introduced to an India of ancient times. There has been peace for thirty years between the mortals and the demon Asura, who occupy the island kingdom of Lanka. Prince Rama's father, the king of Ayodhya, had repelled their last invasion with assistance of the other city states, and now lived out his days enjoying the pleasures of his wives.

Prince of Ayodhya outlines the various plots being hatched and introduces us to the principle characters. The battle lines are drawn, and Rama is prepared for his destiny through training and tasks. The book also begins our education in the concepts and beliefs that guide the actions of our hero, and shows how he is prepared to be the exemplar of all that is ideal.

Siege of Mithila introduces us to the woman who is to be the love of Rama's life, the princess Sita. She is the daughter of the King of Mithila, a man who after the end of the last war had renounced all violence, and turned his state into a haven for all things spiritual. Of course, this means it is the ideal place for the demons to begin their martial conquest. But as with all good villains, the Demon lord Ravana has more then one arrow in his quill.

In Demons of Chitrakut, when Rama returns in triumph from defeating the demon armies with his new bride in tow, instead of being feted as a hero he is sent into exile for fourteen years, along with his brother and his wife. Through his black arts, Ravana has managed to corrupt the king and bring about this drastic turn of events.

Ashok Banker's adaptations are lushly written with love and devotion. He has taken an epic poem and set it into more approachable prose. Written in English for an English speaking audience, we know that nothing is being lost in translation. The books are a fine introduction for those of us who have little or no understanding of the culture and history of one of the oldest societies in the world, and our guide is one of the more accomplished writers in India. If you are like me-your understanding of India has been limited to seeing the occasional Bollywood movie, and various western interpretations of eastern beliefs-these books are a breath of fresh air. Alive and vital, they manage to entertain and educate simultaneously.

At no time during the reading of the stories did I feel Mr. Banker overtly explaining concepts and ideas central to the belief system extolled to the detriment of the story. His wise use of incidents and characters (which is the manner of all good epics and parables) served to fill in the copious blanks in my knowledge without once making me feel like the story was being interrupted. Soon after beginning I was able to just sit back, and enjoy the lush panorama unfolding before me without worrying about missing out on any key points of the tale.

"Prince of Ayodhya" is, of course, an epic fantasy set in ancient India. It follows Maharaja Dasaratha, ruler of the mighty Kingdom of Ayodhya, and his three wives and four sons as they receive disturbing news from the seer Vishwamitra: the Demon Lord Ravana has been gathering an army of hellish beings in preparation for an assault on the mortal plain. The cast here is huge, but Ashok Banker juggles his characters well. Virtually all of them take on the larger-than-life personalities of epic heroes and villains, leaving an unforgettable stamp on the story rather than just going through the motions. One reviewer complained that the characters were too simplistic. It may seem that way at the start, but new layers of complexity unfold as the story progresses.

The best way to describe this book is to say that Banker gives his tale the scope of an epic. This is a story not just about big characters, but about big cities, big journeys, big armies, big battles, and a promise of even bigger events to come. Here we actually see not just a few people, but instead an entire nation being drawn into an expanding battle. This author has also mastered the little details of writing. His ability to evoke setting and mood through little details of sight, sound, and smell matches the best in the genre. His handling of pacing matches his talent at writing. There's never a slow moment in this book, and character development scenes are woven into the narrative so well that they fit perfectly.

Is this book perfect? No. Banker does have a few problems, such as an obsession with putting somewhat cheesy cliffhangers at the end of every single chapter and some chapters that are too short and choppy. But these are minor mistakes that barely put a dent in such a tremendous accomplishment. Overall, I give "Prince of Ayodhya" a hearty recommendation, and I can't wait for "Siege of Mithila".

However, you have got to be a little patient with Banker. The fact is that he delivers what he has promised. The book is an absorbing read. It engulfs you completely, takes you into Treta yugam and lets you watch the proceedings as they unfold. Before you know it, you will have finished reading the book... and bought the second part: "The Siege of Mithila"

What is expected of you, the reader, to enjoy the book is very simple. Forget that it is Ramayana. Forget what Valmiki had written. Read it as Banker's story of a medieval king called Dasaratha and his prince-heir Rama.

Banker's version of Ramayana has seven parts. The first part "Prince of Ayodhya" starts slowly with a grand introduction of Rama and then takes the reader on an Ayodhya tour introducing the great empire, its people, its security personnel, its law and order and its rulers. The book ends with Rama killing Tataka to save Brahmarshi Viswamitra's yagna.

The book's USP is its ability to let the readers visualize the proceedings. It is like watching another Lord of The Ring. If anyone tries to take this book to the celluloid, I am sure it will give LOTR a run for its money.

While the original Ramayana is slow, methodical and does not have any treacherous "villain" (Ravana himself is an ardent Siva devotee. The only sin he commits is the abduction of Sita.), the new Ramayana moves at break-neck speed, is not linear and does not shy away from introducing Ravana as the Father of all Evil things. I will not divulge more details about the story as it would spoil your experience.

In a way, it is more enjoyable because we all know what the Original Epic is all about. So this is totally new to us. And so it generates interest and curiosity.

It is well worth it's price tag.

However, if you are deeply religious and cannot accept changes to the Epic, I advise you to stay away from this book.

Have fun reading The Ramayana once again.