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Friday, January 22, 2016

Book Review:Ramayana - The Game of Life : Stolen Hope


Title: Ramayana-The Game of Life: Stolen Hope
Author: Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House (2016)
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Pages : 307
Price: 299

Once again I got a chance to read mythology because of Blogadda and the author Shubha Vilas. To be honest he is the only person I have read till date for mythology, otherwise during childhood I had sufficed with the tele serials featuring mythology.


Not my favourite genre but I would say I am beginning to develop a taste for it. Thanks to blogadda I had read the previous novel Ramayana - The Game of Life: The Shattered Dreams by Shubha Vilas.


And after reading that I read the first part, well I was just making sure that I go through the whole thing. So when the opportunity for reviewing the third book in the series came up I was very excited. For the people who haven’t gone through the first two books the author has been thoughtful and provided the summary for the respective books before the actual starting of the book.


The book starts with Ram, Sita and Lakshmana, well into their exile at the Dandakaranya forest. They proceed inside the forest with unfolding of mesmerizing history about the forest told by different sages. They move to Panchavati in tranquil and peace. They had decided to spend their last year of exile in the beautiful forest of Panchvati. But as fate has it, in the last year of their exile, they encounter the demon Surpanakha. Surpanakha plays a very vital role in the Ramayana. She is the reason and the pivot to the impending war and the destruction of the demon king Ravana. The book goes on about till the point where Sita is abducted by Ravana.

As I write the summarized plot I see that this is not a spoiler for the book because the true essence of the book is enveloped with the enriching footnotes by the author.


As promised in the summary it was true to its word simplifying the epic tale of Ramayana and merging it with life lessons beautifully. It has been well researched as like the other two past series. The footnotes as always are the highlight of the book and the short tales in every chapter are cherry on the top. The title is true to the books content. And the division of the chapters seem smooth for reading without making a break in the scenes.


After reading this book I would say I have learned many things about life and in general along with Ramayana. Its worth a read like the previous books and I would rate it three out of five stars.


About the Author:
Shubha Vilas, an otherworldly seeker and a motivational speaker, holds a degree in Engineering and law with specialization in Patent Law. His leadership classes are well known with top-level administration in corporate houses. He likewise offers people some assistance with applying so as to deal with present day life circumstances the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and other dharma customs.


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