The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic [Hardcover]

Ramesh Menon (Author), Valmiki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2003

The great Indian epic rendered in modern prose

India’s most beloved and enduring legend, the Ramayana is widely acknowledged to be one of the world’s great literary masterpieces. Still an integral part of India’s cultural and religious expression, the Ramayana was originally composed by the Sanskrit poet Valmiki around 300 b.c. The epic of Prince Rama’s betrayal, exile, and struggle to rescue his faithful wife, Sita, from the clutches of a demon and to reclaim his throne has profoundly affected the literature, art, and culture of South and Southeast Asia—an influence most likely unparalleled in the history of world literature, except, possibly, for the Bible. Throughout the centuries, countless versions of the epic have been produced in numerous formats and languages. But previous English versions have been either too short to capture the magnitude of the original; too secular in presenting what is, in effect, scripture; or dry, line-by-line translations. Now novelist Ramesh Menon has rendered the tale in lyrical prose that conveys all the beauty and excitement of the original, while making this spiritual and literary classic accessible to a new generation of readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautiful new rendering of an inexhaustible theme."
-Peter Brook, Film and Theatre Director

"Reverent, lyrical, and engaging, Menon’s retelling is an impressive addition to the voluminous lore--oral, written, and performed-that collectively comprises the Rama story tradition of India and Southeast Asia. Combining the basic narrative of the ancient Sanskrit epic of Valmiki with strands from medieval devotional versions and hints of Western epic, folktale, and scripture, it brings this great story to life once more for an English-language audience."
-Philip Lutgendorf, Associate Professor of Hindi and Modern Indian Studies, University of Iowa

"This is a beautifully re-told Ramayana. Menon finds the perfect balance of detail and narrative excitement. It's the best single-volume version of the Ramayana."
-Ariel Glucklich, Associate Professor of Hinduism, Georgetown University, author of Sacred Pain and Climbing Chamundi Hill (forthcoming).

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: North Point Press; 1st edition (May 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865476608
• ISBN-13: 978-0865476608
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Labor of Love, December 30, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic (Hardcover)

This book was an obvious labor of love, a retelling of a beautiful classic which surely captures the spirit, mystery, and profundity of the original epic. Throw away the dust jacket with its wooden depiction of the characters, and dive directly into the enchantment of the magical kingdoms of the story. Return to a time when nature's beauty and majesty were ever present, and to a realm where duty was clear and immutable.
Although it is sometimes difficult to digest all of the names of people and places, as well as to flip back and forth to the glossary for unfamiliar vocabulary, some of the most beautiful metaphorical phrases you will ever read are contained in the pages of this book and you will not want to miss any part of it!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ramesh Menon's "Ramayana" a Masterpiece, September 20, 2003

By 

C. B. K. Menon (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic (Hardcover)

Ramesh Menon has done it again! In his previous masterpiece, Blue God, he bought to life Lord Krishna as both human and divine incarnation in the context of that great Indian Epic, The Mahabharata. He rendered the life of Krishna as no one had done before. It is no wonder that he has excelled himself in his rendering of The Ramayana.

The Ramayana is a timeless epic, inspired and inspiring. It transcends all bounds of time, culture, language and religion.
Many are the extant English translations of that great epic. None of them, however, is as inspired and engaging as Ramesh Menon's translation. He has captured the very spirit of this ancient epic and brought it to the contemporary reader in language that blends beauty and simplicity. It is fascinating and compels the reader to continue without putting it down - and when the reading is done it impels the reader to pick it up again and again. This rendering of the Ramayana is a masterpiece - not to be missed.

It is with bated breath that we look forward next to his rendering of The Mahabharata in his own inimitable style.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Very Best, January 20, 2006

By 

invictus (Lawrenceville, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic (Hardcover)

I have read several retellings of the Ramayana and this one by Menon is now my favorite. It is very lyrical and the parts where Rama's divinity are revealed are so beautifully imagined it will arouse an indescribable longing in your heart.