I. M. Richardson

Illustrations are nice, gritty and new - done by an Argentinean artist who has never set foot in India. The graphics are very detailed; sometimes there are centre-spread and full page illustrations. Delightful, in my opinion.

Story is of course Banker-ish pulp fiction Ramayana - Manthara is powerful and has lot of secrets to hide. She treats Kaikeyi with disdain and treats her shabbily. Sample this, she tells her queen - You do what you do best that is looking beautiful. Leave the thinking to me. (Also, a cliche dialog.) Jatayu is dubious.

It was very short, fast-read book - finished in about an hour. In a early chapter (chapter 2) - I thought Banker was testing patience by explaining the meaning of sanskrit and hindi words in dialogs (For example, Ayushman bhav or kairi). But, later he uses words from sanskrit liberally at times without explaining them. (For example, arghya.)

Some dialogues are so precise and perfect. For example, Yatha Raja and Yatha Praja. I will avoid from writing that significance here. But artwork has lot of people portraits with amazing range of expressions.

Every chapter begins with bit of summary, which I avoided reading. Maybe it could serve as a recap. Children about 12 could read it but some illustrations such as Rakshashi Tadka are outlined such that it seems she is naked. It was not obscene or out of place, of I may add. Other than that, I see no reason at least for this first volume why a 12 kid should not read.

Also, you want to read Vol 2 as soon as you finish Vol 1. Alas, you can not do so yet since it is not available.… (mere)