Bridge of Rama

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PLEASE READ THE INDIAN EDITIONS INSTEAD - Rated
f you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.

The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!

Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.

Ashok K. Banker
www.ashokbanker.com

Ashok does it again - Rated
Just finished reading the book. As marvellous and intoxicating as earlier volumes. Loved Jambavan's sense of humour. Enjoyed the most. Could identify with it.
Loved the part when Rama urges Hanuman that if all your power comes from me, then use it at once (when a stone hillock is coming down at Hanuman and others). It has been described so beautifully, so much love in the paragraph, I had some dew drops in my eyes.

The best part about his writings are that characters are so human, yet not so ordinary humans. It gives me a chance to identify with them through their weaknesses and their mental fights and when they overcome it, motivates me to do the same.

When Hanuman was being seduced, ooffff, so human he was. When Rama scolds Laxman on thinking negative as to what might happen to Sita, how human he was, when Sita declines to go with Hanuman, citing that Rama should come and avenge her, how human she was (although not many would agree here).

All the characters, especially Hanuman, have so much single minded purpose in their lives, the era was so different, and yet not so different from the present times. Except, as the characters argue, it is the sense of Dharma which has changed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Now waiting eagerly for the next volume, not that I would like to know what happens, but would like to read how Ashok makes it happen.

Banker does it again - Rated
Just finished reading the book. As marvellous and intoxicating as earlier volumes. Loved Jambavan's sense of humour. Enjoyed the most. Could identify with it.

Loved the part when Rama urges Hanuman that if all your power comes from me, then use it at once (when a stone hillock is coming down at Hanuman and others). It has been described so beautifully, so much love in the paragraph, I had some dew drops in my eyes.

The best part about his writings are that characters are so human, yet not so ordinary humans. It gives me a chance to identify with them through their weaknesses and their mental fights and when they overcome it, motivates me to do the same.

When Hanuman was being seduced, ooffff, so human he was. When Rama scolds Laxman on thinking negative as to what might happen to Sita, how human he was, when Sita declines to go with Hanuman, citing that Rama should come and avenge her, how human she was (although not many would agree here).

All the characters, especially Hanuman, have so much single minded purpose in their lives, the era was so different, and yet not so different from the present times. Except, as the characters argue, it is the sense of Dharma which has changed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Now waiting eagerly for the next volume, not that I would like to know what happens, but would like to read how Ashok makes it happen.

Mindblowing - Rated
To tell you the truth, I felt that Bridge of Rama is Ashok's best book yet!!! The narrative is fluid, he never lets down the pace a bit, and the book is so so cool... Everything in the book is PERFECT!!!

Rama and the huge armies of vanaras and bears have reached the southern coast of the mainland, and are busy building a bridge to Lanka. Meanwhile, Hanuman discovers his special powers. But sita's life is in peril; hence, Hanuman has to undertake a daring mission- to leap into Lanka and bring Sita back.

Hanuman assumes centrestage in this book- he is truly one of the best characters in the Ramayana series. The readers can identify with him, because of his immense faith in his lord Rama. The way the author shifts the narrative from Hanuman's POV to Ravana's POV and back, is just too good, and the battles between Hanuman and the rakshasas are awesome!! The scene where Hanuman and Sita talk to each other, is one of the best moments of the book..

One of the things that set this series apart from other versions is that the author spends a lot of time in Lanka, thus enabling us to understand more about Ravana, Mandodhari, Supanakha, Vibhisena, Indrajit, etc... And that continues in this book too. Banker really scores in the dialogues between various characters. The scene where Hanuman describes the truth in Ravana's court and lavishly praises Ravana is portrayed beautifully. And the climax of the book, where Hanuman sets Lanka on fire, is absolutely magnificent..

At this rate, i'll run out of superlatives trying to describe Bridge of Rama :~)... I think that 10 on 10 says it all!!!!

Another great instalment in the series - Rated
Another great instalment in the series. We had been waiting for its release and it was not a disappointment at all. Banker has a great talent for writing very vivid scenes and the imagery his words conjure up is sharp and well-defined.

I only have one criticism and thats with the title. I loved the title, however, after reading the book I was left with a feeling of incompleteness - just as Rama's Bridge was! Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait until the King of Ayodhya is released sometime later this year.