ASURA: Tale of the Vanquished | Part of 100 Books by Indian Authors to read in a Lifetime| Mythological Fiction Bestseller Novel by Anand Neelakantan | Historical Fiction about Ravana | Indian Author Book Based on Ramayana | Author of Ajaya book series

The book is truly mind-blowing. The print is neat, and the paper quality is impressive, making the reading experience even better. The story itself gives us a fresh perspective on the world of Devas and Asuras. It portrays Lord Ram from Ravan’s point of view. It highlights not just Ravan's flaws but also the brilliance, talent, and relentless efforts that helped Ravan achieve his position. What stands out is how the narrative encourages us to appreciate the strength and uniqueness of the demon community, without ever suggesting that doing wrong is justified. It beautifully captures the contrast—how Asuras view the Devas’ lifestyle as flawed, just as Devas see Asuras in a negative light. Yet, amidst these perspectives, one truth remains timeless: Lord Ram will always stay in our hearts. His struggles, sacrifices, and commitment to upholding dharma continue to inspire us, reminding us that greatness often comes at the cost of personal suffering.

This book had long been on my "to read" list but i always shied away from reading it thinking it would be too preachy and too pro ravana and too anti ram. However, one day, i decided to order a sample from amazon on my kindle. I read the first chapter and I was amazed and hooked. I could not believe something related to mythology can be written so personally and with such dark shades. Apart from the story line, which we all know pretty well, what kept me hooked was the first person narrative. The author has excelled in his writing style bringing forth a person's views and his contrasting actions. Ravana is in no way made the "hero" of the story. He is portrayed as he is, an ambition man with an urge to win, who was lucky most of the times. It is Bhadra, a fictional character, who is the eyes and voice of Asura, who steals the show. He is the string, the forgotten voice, that ties the whole story together. You see the contrast between these two characters and how they see the same situations differently and you release, there is no truth or fact in stories, its just perception. Bhadra flows thru the book and is an excellent device used by the author to tell the story of the nameless without introducing too many unnecessary characters. this way you feel for the character, generation and race all at the same time! Kudos, to the author, who managed to portray the story of ravana's life, without being partial. Ram, is shown as a prince of a small state and the author asks the questions that most of us do. Just because someone is deemed god, can all his actions be justified. The author manages to stay away from Ram's journey and this, nevertheless, makes the story fast paced and still interesting. However, The book gets a little long and winding and repetitive in the end and I feel like the editor could have done a better job. There are a few spelling mistakes like thrust instead of trust and a few repetitive phrases like "wily" and "impotent rage" etc but they dont take anything away from the reading experience. The author also makes good points regarding brahamism and caste system but they are so few and repeated throughout the book, that they loose their effect. It is my personal opinion that the relationship or storyline between Ravana and sita could have been developed more. Its kind of a blank in that area. The last quarter of the book is slow and winding, and could have done with better editing. The book deserves praise as it manages to be impartial towards Ram and Ravana, something that the pop-ed up versions of Ramayana cannot boast of.

A fascinating read for a person like myself who knew the Ramayana story only through Amar Chitra Katha and, more recently, Ashok Banker's work. This is the loser's version of the great Indian epic, told with remarkable insight into the nature of humankind. The author does not, as would appear to be implied at first glance, portray Ravan as hero and Ram as villain. Blending imagination and research with empathy and a gripping narrative style, the author surprises the reader by showing both as human but very disparately so. It is not a simple dharma versus adharma story. The philosophical take stuns with its sheer audacity - not so much in its novelty as in its presentation in the context of an epic that has virtually been hijacked by conservatives for their own reasons and abused to manipulate gullible over millenia. The story repeats itself over the eons... it's unfolding even as I write this review. I do hope that people READ this book and realise that IN A WAR, THERE ARE NO REAL VICTORS, NO TRUE RIGHT, WHAT IS DHARMA TO SOME IS INJUSTICE TO OTHERS.... Anand Neelakantan, this is a masterpiece. Kudos. I'm reading Ajaya now. :)

What a read to end your year with! The story takes through it not just as a reader but as a witness of the events take place.

Great read gives you an insight into Indian Mythology and the perspective of the other side thank you Again Nisha

Great read

L'auteur s'inspirant librement de la mythologie "Ramayana" de Valmiki, nous délivre une histoire extrêmement bien ficelée ! Au travers de son récit, nous partons à la rencontre du vrai roi démon de l'ancien royaume (supposé ?) du Sri-Lanka (Ceylan). Et nous découvrons avec délice "Ravana" et ses conflits internes, ses relations tumultueuses, son passé qu'il tente d'oublier, etc. De base, "Ramayana" est acquise pour la cause du prince "Rama", son frère, "Lakshmana" et "Hanuman", ensemble, tentant de délivrer, la belle "Sita" de la griffe du démon Ravana. Mais dans "Asura Tale of the Vanquished ...", nous voyons l'histoire de la perspective de Ravana et son peuple, pris en sandwich entre leur roi et une force d'invasion mettant en péril leur existence. Pour ceux ou celles qui seraient intéressés à poursuivre la mythologie de Ravana et ses multiples pouvoirs connus, je vous conseille un autre livre, écrit par un spécialiste du milieu, Dr Mirando Obeysekere intitulé "Ravana, King Of Lanka", publié par "Vijatha Yapa Publications" au Sri-Lanka. Mais le plus incroyable, c'est le "NASA" qui a confirmé l'existence bien réelle de ce fameux "pont" créé par le roi singe, "Hanuman" à la demande du prince "Rama", "The Adam's Bridge", reliant Sri-Lanka à l'Inde, tout récemment. Ce qui nous amène à poser une question toute simple : Que savons-nous réellement de nos civilisations longtemps disparues et faisant parties uniquement des ... "mythologies" de nos jours ? Je recommande ce livre a tous.

Interesting book. Was a bit of an interesting read given the background.

Looks like the author dislikes/hates Brahmins and all the principles of Ram Rajya.... Agreed, Ravana was powerful, intelligent and knowledgeable but you need not make other characters weak and pathetic to prove this point. Money wasted on the book..