Ramayana: Divine Loophole

I bought this Epic for my daughter. I read it first - amazing! All the details were correct and the art is fantastic! A must have.

Why this isn't EVERYWHERE, I'll never understand. Captivating, utterly original, and totally beautiful--this book caused incredible design-envy in everyone who's seen my copy. Can't wait for more from S Patel.

The price of the book, actually very reasonable, is easily paid for by the brilliant artwork on each page. The illustrations truly bring this wonderful epic to life in a way that is unique and extraordinarily enjoyable - it's pure eye candy. The rendering of the story is a bit too playful for my tastes, but this is really a minor critique and any trouble with the narrative is more than made up for by the artwork which tells the whole story beautifully on its own. The story is also quite freely told, but again, this is not really the point of the book; it's meant to be playful and, overall, that works just fine. So, in conclusion, you should definitely buy this book!

Wow! If you've ever read the Ramayana, you know it's one meaty tale - epic is the least of terms. The challenge of retelling the story alone is phenomenal, much less reinventing 2,000 years of artistic interpretation, and Mr. Patel does both exquisitely. I'd almost say he makes it look easy, but we are lucky enough to have him share his process and appreciate just how much work, grace and dedication went into the creation of this beautiful book. If you haven't read the Ramayana, it may have been because reading it alone can be an intimidating undertaking, yet Mr. Patel makes the story accessible, visually stunning and exceptionally relatable. I have read several versions, ranging from 200 to 2000 pages (the 2000 one was better, and every one is different) but found new things to appreciate in this version, which says a lot. Part of it again relates to Mr. Patel's personality coming through in his interpretation. You feel like you're hearing the story from an engaging friend who clearly has deep love for the epic and the grace therein. But then! The imagery! It's jam-packed with meaning, but you'd have to know the whole story to appreciate the fullness of Mr. Patel's efforts in that regard. You don't have to know the story to fall in love with them. They are fresh, simple, rich, and beautifully fun. You can take in the panels in a breath or an hour, they are that expressive and that captivating. Like in his "Little Book of Hindu Deities" Mr. Patel's work has a light heart but clearly honors the deep import of the subject matter - a wonderful combination of reverent and refreshing. I wish I could imbue this review with the same simplicity, the same ease, the same humility, and a better sense of just how stunning this book is. Nope, you've got to pick up a copy, hold it in your hands, enjoy it for yourself. It is said that simply reading that Ramayana showers blessings upon you. I certainly feel blessed adding this book to my collection. Well done, Mr. Patel!