The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

ISBN: 9789353573577

HarperCollins India | 24 August 2021

Paperback | 372 pages

The Forest of Enchantments is a brilliant retelling of the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana that places Sita at its centre, telling the story from her perspective and giving voice to the women of the epic. In this powerful reinterpretation, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores themes of duty, betrayal, infidelity and honour as she illuminates the struggles of women like Kaikeyi, Surpanakha and Mandodari — characters often misunderstood or relegated to the margins. By transforming this age‑old tale into a gripping contemporary narrative, the novel raises enduring questions about women’s rights, autonomy and how they should be treated by those they love, making the ancient epic resonate with modern relevance.