by S. P. Somtow
First published 2007
Prince Rama faces exile from his kingdom of Ayodhya when palace intrigue forces him from the throne he was meant to inherit. His devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana accompany him into fourteen years of forest wandering. The demon king Ravana kidnaps Sita, sparking a war that will determine the fate of gods and mortals alike. Rama must forge an alliance with the monkey warrior Hanuman and his armies to rescue his beloved and reclaim his destiny. This operatic adaptation compresses the vast Sanskrit epic into a single theatrical evening, following Rama's journey from rightful prince to exile to legendary hero. The story explores duty versus desire as Rama struggles between personal happiness and cosmic responsibility.
Genres: mythology, historical-fiction, fantasy, epic
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Ayodhya
Period: ancient
56 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform