The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic (Penguin Classics)

Entertaining read, although details about the wedding between Rama and Sita are omitted, as are other details, the main components of the tale remain. Recommend!

In general, I eschew abridgements, but in this case, I am glad I chose this condensed prose translation of THE RAMAYANA by R.K Narayan. With no background in Indian literature, I would be unable to really appreciate, or probably even understand a detailed verse translation. This version is delightful. It reminded me somewhat of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS with its supernatural beings performing miraculous feats, but whereas THE ARABIAN NIGHTS is a Muslim text, THE RAMAYANA is Hindu. So the basic sensibility behind them is different. The story is primarily a romantic adventure story, but Hindus find moral lessons in it as well. There are basically two main story lines: the love between Rama and Sita, and the usurpation of Rama’s throne by his half-brother (at the instigation of his stepmother). When Sita is abducted by a demon, Rama begins his quest to find her and rescue her. Of course, he has many obstacles in his path, but also has the help of friends Hanuman, the Monkey God and Ganesh, the Elephant God. I found all the characters interesting, especially the demons, who, despite being hideous and evil, still have some redeeming qualities. This was an extremely enjoyable reading experience. Five Stars.

The Ramayana is a one of the most fabled classics of Indian literature, and though it is not technically a sacred scripture, it is so revered in India and by Indians it almost has the default status of being one. The original texts of the Ramayana are quite immense, and writer R.K. Narayan has condensed the epic down into a quite readable 150 page work. Those who are curious about this Hindu classic, who are first time readers, will probably find it very engaging. While there are alternate versions of this very popular epic, Narayan has selected one he considers most traditional and mainstream, and will be a very worthwhile introduction for a very important book.

An old story made very accessible to someone who doesn't want to read gobs of poetry, yet get the feel and inspiration of an amazing tale from ancient days that is still very much relevant today in the realm of character, integrity, confrontation, choices, and thoughtfulness.

Such a great story. Book is good quality and will re read many times.

Package was sealed when delivered. Book was ripped in the back corner & a page or two. Not a huge deal since it wasn’t expensive but a little surprising.

The story of Rama is one of the purest beings ever described in words. R.K. Narayan's artful poetic words fulfilled one of the world's longest epics with fewer words, but kept to its powerful depiction of the purity and honor only to be held by God-Rama.

You may think from the words I have chosen to describe the book that I don't like it nothing could be further from the truth. For all intents and purposes this book is a fairy tale and not in a demeaning or condescending way. In a book like this you want the hero to be to good to be true. You want the villain to be beyond evil and impossible to defeat except by superhuman means. The plot may be predictable but that doesn't mean that you don't want to see how the hero overcomes the obstacles in his way. That is why I called it nostalgic because it takes you to the mind set of being a small chilld hearing or reading other tales of this kind. The plot is basically this: stepmother gets elder more loved prince banished so her son can rule; prince goes slays demon and returns to rule the kingdom. You have heard,read,and seen this plot a thousand times. It doesn't mean that it is uninteresting or boring. The reason you read a story like this is to be nostalgic for your childish wonder at a story like this.

I got exactly what I was wanting

Beautifully written and well researched.

この本(1972年刊)を読んで、『ラーマーヤナ』あるいはインドの神話叙事詩がずいぶん自分に近づいてきたのを感じる。『ラーマーヤナ』というとえらい長い物語でちょっと手をだすのをためらっていた。しかし、この本を読んで全体の流れが分かり、オリジナル版では、場面がどう描かれているのか知りたいと思うようになってきた。 迂闊な話だけれども、この本を手にするまで『ラーマーヤナ』にこれほどまでにヴァリエーションがあるとは思っていなかった。ナーラーヤンのこの『ラーマーヤナ』は、数あるヴァリエーションのなかでもずいぶんシンプルな筋立てのものだという印象をもった。猿軍の将、ハヌマーンが十の頭をもつ魔神ラーバナに捕らえられる有名なシーンもかなりあっさりしているし、取り戻されたシータが、ラーマの疑念を晴らそうとするところもほとんど記述がない。このさっぱりとした感じを物足りないと感じるか、より祖形に近い力強さと一種の品を感じるか意見が分かれるところだと思うが、僕は後者だと思いたい。 このペンギン文庫版の前書きをパンカジ・ミシュラが書いている。これがすこぶる面白い。1988年夏、北インドの清掃労働者たちは、連続TV放送の『ラーマーヤナ』の延長を州政府に求めてストライキに突入したのだと言う。『ラーマーヤナ』は、現代においてもかくも多くの人々を熱狂させる生きた叙事詩なのだという驚くべき事実から説き起こして、魔神ラーバナを信奉する南インドのダーリットやら、インド独立運動の影のエトスとしての『ラーマーヤナ』やら、きわめて刺激的でかつ平衡感覚に優れた論を展開していて、僕は読みながら何度も唸ってしまった。

Worth reading again and again !

I was very pleased to receive the shortened prose version so soon after ordering a copy. It is an old book but in very good condition and just what I wanted.