The Forest of Enchantments

By Shruti Gupta

3rd Year, BA Sociology Honours

Editor: Vasvi Singhal

You know how we've all grown up hearing the Ramayana, right? It's this epic, larger-than-life story with battles, heroes, and gods, but for the longest time, it’s been told mostly from Rama’s point of view. Now, here comes The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and trust me when I say it’s like hearing the same story, but in a way we never really have before—through Sita’s eyes. This book isn’t just another retelling. It’s Sita finally getting to tell her side of the story, and oh, does she have a lot to say…

Right from the start, you can feel the difference. There’s this one line that hits you early on: “I was never meant to be a goddess. I was meant to be a woman, flawed and human.” It’s like Sita is letting us in, saying, Listen, I’m not just this perfect, divine figure you’ve been told about. I’ve struggled, I’ve doubted, and I’ve fought in ways no one has ever seen. She’s not just the perfect wife waiting for Rama to rescue her. She’s brave, she’s complicated, she’s strong, and she’s got her own struggles—some of which are heartbreakingly relatable. 

What really struck me was how Chitra doesn’t stop with Sita. She gives space to the other women of the Ramayana, like Kaikeyi, who’s always painted as the villain. Here, we see her pain, her desperation for her son’s future, and suddenly, she’s not just a villain anymore. Or Surpankha, who’s often reduced to the "demoness" who dares to love Rama, but in this book, you feel her heartbreak. There’s a moment when she says, “They saw only the ugliness in me, never the love.” It’s haunting, really. They’re not just side characters anymore; they’re real, flawed, amazing women dealing with their own versions of love, betrayal, and sacrifice.

Moreover, the bond between Sita and Rama, felt more genuine and layered than we’ve typically seen. It had a rawness that captured both their love and the weight of their duties, which made their relationship feel more real, showing how even divine figures face very human struggles. The glimpses into the political dynamics within the women’s quarters, with all their behind-the-scenes maneuvering, added a refreshing layer of complexity and intrigue to the story.

And let’s talk about the writing. It’s so beautiful! Every sentence feels like it has this rhythm, pulling you into the world of Ayodhya and the forest which almost feels like a character in itself, full of beauty and danger.

If you’ve ever been curious about what Sita really thought, felt, and went through, The Forest of Enchantments is such a rewarding read. You might even finish it with a deeper respect for the women in this epic.

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