The Alien Online on Demons
The Alien Online on Demons of Chitrakut: Book 3 of The Ramayana: “Themes of love and loyalty, earned and undeserved, running through this story make Demons of Chitrakut a rewarding read in its own right, as well as a satisfying continuation of the wider Ramayana. Ashok K. Banker’s skills in convincingly portraying the most fabulous [...]
“Drawing upon The Ramayana, one
“Drawing upon The Ramayana, one of the classic works of Vedic literature, Indian author Banker brings the mythology and religion of ancient India vividly to life, capturing the ritual, the drama, and the passion of India’s culture and heritage. Jeweled prose adds detail and lushness to a tale filled with magical creatures, royal battles, and [...]
INDIAN EXPRESS on Demons of
INDIAN EXPRESS on Demons of Chitrakut “Banker�s first book in the series, Prince of Ayodhya (2003) showed what a tale recited over millennia could morph into in the hands of a modern writer. Banker brings to his seven-part series a vitality, a touchability, an identification with a great story that was lying dormant, inert, flaccid. [...]
New: SAHARA TIMES on Demons
New: SAHARA TIMES on Demons of Chitrakut EPIC DEMYSTIFIED: Ramayana made more realistic and immediate by Sanjay Austa Ashok K. Banker’s Ramayana series is not so much about the Ramayana. It is about the art of story telling itself. It is about how one great mythology can be interpreted and told in a million different [...]
New: Sf Crows Nest Review
New: Sf Crows Nest Review of Armies of Hanuman “The book starts toward the end of Rama’s 13 year long exile. Surviving with his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman, they have fought against the Asura with the help of outlaws, rebels and outcasts. This comes to a head when Rama decides to have one [...]
New: The Hindu on Prince
New: The Hindu on Prince of Ayodhya, Siege of Mithila, Demons of Chitrakut and Armies of Hanuman A new recipe: In Ashok Banker’s hands, the Ramayana comes into its own. COMPARED to the Mahabharata and its play of passions, the Ramayana has always seemed a rather bloodless tale of a “perfect man”. And after Ramanand [...]
New: Noted journalist and editor
New: Noted journalist and editor M.V. Kamath on Prince of Ayodhya, Siege of Mithila and Demons of Chitrakut, in Free Press Journal An Epic tale to suit modern tastes �Either Ashok K. Banker who has attempted to write – or re-write – the Ramayana in seven volumes is thoroughly mad or he is a ranking [...]
They are going to be
They are going to be a prized possession in my library. I wish you all the best and let me assure you that you are doing a great job for the people of India and all over the world who would be reading these books.” Prashant Mehta, Juhu, Mumbai
“I was extremely happy on
“I was extremely happy on reading the first in the 7 book series. But was more overjoyed to know about the 14 books on Mahabharat which was going to written after the Ramayan. The time span between the books looks too much only because there is a greed to reach out for all the books [...]
“I bought Prince of Ayodhya
“I bought Prince of Ayodhya yesterday. That might have been a mistake as my daughter Koko wants me to read it out to her. I did read the first two chapters out to her and her comment: Mom, this isn’t the Ramayana. This Uncle has taken my Ram and written a new story about him. [...]
“These two books in the
“These two books in the retelling of the epic saga Ramayana have awed and inspired me. My sincerest namaskar to Ashok-bhai for such vivid story-telling and for showcasing the many splendours of Hindu myth and legend in such detail and truthful imaginativeness. Your brilliance is overshadowed only by your desire to enlighten the world of [...]
“We would like to recommend
“We would like to recommend Prince of Ayodhya, by Ashok Banker. It is the first book of a trilogy that will retell the story of the Ramayana, in quite a lot of detail. The first few pages read like a romance, but the depth and scope of Banker’s work quickly manifest into a very educational [...]
“Just a page of your
“Just a page of your book and i was hooked on it. At first i thought that it is just the Ramayana but now i say that why didn’t i just forget about what my friends said and read the the Ramayana. Ashok K. Banker has opened my eyes to the Indian classics and now [...]
“Ashok K Banker’s idea of
“Ashok K Banker’s idea of retelling Ramayana may seem very blasphemous at the first glance. My first reaction was that Ramayana had been royally butchered by Banker. However I’ve changed my opinion afterwards. While the original Ramayana is slow, methodical and does not have any treacherous “villain”, Banker’s Ramayana moves at break-neck speed, is not [...]
“Dudes, I recently happened to
“Dudes, I recently happened to chance upon a version of the Ramayan by Ashok Banker. It is in fact a series. I must say I liked it. Is it true to the original…well… it is the same story but the details tend to be quite different. So if you want to read the Ramayana we [...]
“Read an interview with Ashok
“Read an interview with Ashok Banker about his new book: and, this sounds like one I want to read. Banker has had phenomenal success in India, and, from what I’ve heard, it’s well deserved.” A reader, Mumbai, India
“Young prince Rama’s vulnerability, his
“Young prince Rama’s vulnerability, his superhero strength, and more significantly, the dignity, poise and humility that set him apart from the average man…Banker paints a picture that is far from perfect and it is these imperfections that make the legendary prince endearing. Banker’s masterstroke lies in spinning a gossamer yarn around the epic… Lines between [...]
“I personally discovered “Prince of
“I personally discovered “Prince of Ayodhya” while browsing in Internet. I had read parts of the original “Ramayana” at school but it was too complicated. However, in your book I found the true, great story of prince Rama, who I believe, in the future can become one of the greatest fantasy-heroes. I wish you good [...]
“What an amazing writer! Book
“What an amazing writer! Book 1 of the Ramayana was simply brilliant and left me hungry for further volumes! I went crazy over the book and my friends couldnt understand why I was so crazy over the book!! If the Ramayana has been retold so beautifully, I just cant wait to see how the Mahabharatha [...]
“I thought the book to
“I thought the book to be an amazing work of art. Searching for a book to keep me occupied for a 36 hours sail from Italy to Greece. I started reading and was immediately hooked – this is truely a master piece. Thank you Mr. Banker for sharing with all of us readers from across [...]
“A fantastic and epic saga
“A fantastic and epic saga which seems to be both timeless and magnifecent; a remarkable book. Simply can’t wait for the next one.” A reader from Saudi Arabia “A beautifully written version of a great indian saga. Impressive how he has captured the essence of the story. Truly a page turner that will inspire many.” [...]
“Banker’s book fills a void
“Banker’s book fills a void in English fiction. His retelling of Ayodhyakand from The Ramayana ranks up there with great works of modern fiction. The pace is gripping; the sequencing of events, creative; and the character development, eye opening. I am already hooked to Banker’s Ramayana Series.” Pankaj Mehra from Cupertino, CA, USA
“Mr. Banker’s retelling of this
“Mr. Banker’s retelling of this story is an excellent job and it will get more of our kids to read again. This is a great book. Thank you, Mr. Banker.” Aashish K. Rathod, Houston, Texas, USA
“I am speechless! That this
“I am speechless! That this is a fabulous book would be a gross understatement. Once you start reading it, you can’t put it down. The writing is so vivid that I felt that I am there in the story, in the middle of everything that is happening. All in all, a brilliant book and I [...]
