The Ramayana: A Modern Retelling of the Great Indian Epic - Softcover

Menon, Ramesh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0865476950 ISBN 13: 9780865476950

Publisher: North Point Press, 2004

Synopsis

The great Indian epic rendered in modern prose

India's most beloved and enduring legend, the Ramayana is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's great literary masterpieces. Still an integral part of India's cultural and religious expression, the Ramayana was originally composed by the Sanskrit poet Valmiki around 300 b.c. The epic of Prince Rama's betrayal, exile, and struggle to rescue his faithful wife, Sita, from the clutches of a demon and to reclaim his throne has profoundly affected the literature, art, and culture of South and Southeast Asia-an influence most likely unparalleled in the history of world literature, except, possibly, for the Bible.

Throughout the centuries, countless versions of the epic have been produced in numerous formats and languages. But previous English versions have been either too short to capture the magnitude of the original; too secular in presenting what is, in effect, scripture; or dry, line-by-line translations. Now novelist Ramesh Menon has rendered the tale in lyrical prose that conveys all the beauty and excitement of the original, while making this spiritual and literary classic accessible to a new generation of readers.

About this title

About the Author

Ramesh Menon is the author of Blue God: A Life of Krishna and The Hunt for K, a national bestseller in India. A former journalist, he lives in Kodaikanal, India.

Edition details

• Publisher: North Point Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0865476950
• ISBN 13: 9780865476950
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 720