Author: Sonali Raje
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications
I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What would you do if your life was its Nadir?
The Empress of Indraprastha series takes a unique approach to the
Mahabharat. It focuses on one current issue of societal relevance in each
installment of a story told through Draupadi’s lens. Part 1 focused on
unconventional marriages and gender equality, part 2 on women’s empowerment.
Part 3 addresses maternal support for married daughters, and tackles the canker
of sexual harassment by highlighting the victim-perpetrator pairs of
Draupadi-Keechak and Arjun-Urvashi. In this fictional retelling of the epic, discover
a never-seen-before persona of Draupadi, the formidable warrior queen, who
stands tall despite her life being at its – Nadir.
Book 3 takes off from the events after the Raajsooya Yagya at
Indraprastha and the events that take place after the Pandavas are invited to
Hastinapur for a game of dice by the Kauravas. The book starts with the events
at Hastinapur and what happens when the Pandavas lose the game, and with that
everything that they wagered. What stood out for me, and what sets the tone for
the book was the powerful writing of the scene when the disrobing of Draupadi
is written. The way that particular scene is written shows you what to expect in
the book. The manner in which Draupadi retains her elegance and power in the
face of adversity was truly amazing. Another aspect of the book that I loved
was that how the same point is recalled during the end of the book in Matsya
and the manner in which the actions of the Pandavas are different. Another part
of the book which is wonderfully written is when Draupadi visits Hidimbaa and
the events that take place there. What works in the book is its impeccable
storytelling and the plot which keeps you turning the pages. Another aspect of
the book that I loved was that the characters are neither black or white, there
are shades of grey and the author does not restrain herself on presenting the
moral dilemmas that the characters face, specially in the Hastinapur court
after the game of dice. Skillfully retaining key stories from the Mahabharata,
while blending in her concept of highlighting an issue of societal relevance in
the plot.
Sonali’s writing is powerful and keeps you engaged as you turn the pages of the book. The book is longer than the previous two, however the pacy plot doesn’t let you feel the increased length. The events of this book set the tone for the next books nicely and with the side plots developing, I am excited to see how she proceeds and the social issues that she takes up in the upcoming books. The issue of maternal support for married women, especially after the disrobing in the Hastinapur court. I really liked the way she structured it. With each book in the series raising the bar, I am excited to read the remaining books and to see how she brings the story to a close. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.
Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.
Check out my review of the previous books in the series
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