Mandodari: Queen of Lanka by Manini J. Anandani

"Mandodari: Queen of Lanka" by Manini J. Anandani - A decent try!

This book is published by Penguin in 2018 and has 288 pages. This is author's debut novel. 

Mandodari is revered as a one of the panchakanya (five virtuous and chaste women) in Puranas, despite being Ravan's wife, in following famous ashoka.

अहल्या द्रौपदी सीता तारा मन्दोदरी तथा |

पञ्चकन्या स्मरेन्नित्यम महापातकनाशनम् ||

This book tells her story. 

How was Mandodari? How was her relationship with Ravan? Did she approve Sita's abduction? Why did she marry Vibhishan?

This author also subscribes to one of the popular theory about Sita's parentage. Anand Neelakanthan has also subscribed to the same theory in his book 'Asura'. Manini has created a background story in support of the theory that is interesting and more convincing than Anand.

Unfortunately same can't be said about rest of the book. Narration is kind of drab. It's neither interesting, nor gripping, neither ornamental, nor flowery. Doesn't capture your imagination. When you narrate a story through a character that's not in the thick of action, narration becomes indirect. Author's job becomes that much more difficult. 

The relationship between Mandodari and Ravan could have been depicted better. Here she is shown as a wall flower, but author could have given it an emotional angle. That would have made it more appealing. Mandodari was the queen and regent but she is never shown making or participating in any important decisions of state. 

The tussle between Mandodari and Nayanadini erupts suddenly and dies equally abruptly. Why was it included in the book as it doesn't help the story in any way. Although Vedavati's story is there in this book, Ravan's rape of Rambha is conspicuous by absence. 

The war is explained well initially but the most important battles where Indrajeet, Kumbhakarna and Ravan are killed are hurried through. Ravan appears defeated before his final battle with Ram. The portion where Mandodari decides to marry the traitor Vibhishan also deserved more space. 

Surprisingly, most of the chapters in the book have a very similar length. Was it by design or luck?

Cover shows half the head of a lady (Mandodari) and remaining four heads of Ravan. It is a curious cover. I thought author would be propounding an explosive theory that Ravan was the face but Mandodari was the real power, after looking at the cover. But author doesn't insinuate anything like that. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting cover. 

What did I like? Story about Sita's parentage. 

What I didn't like? As mentioned above. 

Not a must read.