Book Review: Epic Love Stories ( 1&2 ) by Ashok K Banker

Introduction

Shakuntala & Dushyanta

ISBN: 978-93-82618-28-7
Publishers: Westland books
Genre : Fiction, Romance
Price: Rs. 125/- ( I got this book from Blog Adda for review)

Ganga & Shantanu


ISBN: 978-93-82618-29-4
Publishers: Westland books
Genre : Fiction, Romance
Price: Rs. 125/- ( I got this book from Blog Adda for review)


Love is the language of the universe. History has witnessed everyone including Gods and Goddesses have fallen prey to it and spoken this language. When love decides to attack it does not see the caste, creed, religion or status symbol. It just chooses its victim and the rest as they say is history. Epic Love Stories by Ashok K Banker is a collection of 5 such love stories which created history. Thanks to Blogadda, I was fortunate enough to recieve 2 of those stories for a review,

Behind The book

The great romance of Shakuntala and Dushyanta remains an enduring love story as well as a fascinating potrait of a long-lost love.

This stolen tale of love and loss will break your heart, even as if reveals a facet of love rarely witnessed by mortal eyes.

About the author

Ashok K Banker began his career in market research, advertising and direct marketing before working as a successful journalist  breaking front page news stories for Times of India and Outlook, scripting award winning documentaries and television serials before returning to his first love, writing books. The Valmiki Syndrome is the first book in his Vedic Wisdom series that applies the insights of ancient puranic texts to modern day problems. Read more about the author HERE.

Me thinks

Any person who has read Indian mythology would be aware about the love stories of Shakuntala-Dushyant and Ganga-Shantanu. BUt reading these stories once again in this book creates a different aura around it. Through his words the author Ashok Banker has managed to make the readers time travel to the era when all this actually happened. As you read through his description you actually witness those forests, feel the cool breeze blowing, hear the gushing sound of the waterfall and experience love, in full innocence - the way it was during those times.

Shakuntala & Dushyanta :

Source: Google Images

Like every girl in today's' times I have grown up on a healthy dose of Mills and Boons often wondering if such love stories could have their Indian versions ever. After reading this book I realised that long before M & B released their Indian versions we have had such love stories since time eternal, And the witness for all this is none other than history. Flipping through the pages of this book you feel the magic of love sweeping you of your feet, soaking you deeper and deeper into the realms of passion.


A rich prince falling in love with a poor girl is the oft used story line for many Bollywood flicks. Little did we know that the inspiration for all of them was set centuries ago by Prince Dushyant when he fell for a sage's daughter Shakuntala. Social obligations and the fear of the society is what led to this mad(e) for each other couple parting ways for almost a decade before concluding that they cannot live without each other any longer. They unite and our country is today named after their son Bharata. A very inspiring love story which teaches us to have faith on our love, trust them and never let doubt creep into your mind. Their love was so deep that even a gap of a decade between them could not change their feelings for each other. The most note worthy point is the way a  very delicate subject like love has been treated here in all its beauty.

Ganga & Shantanu

Source: Google Images

Though not so much heard of this story but it is truly heart warming. A story of two people who are cursed resulting into lot of events happening makes an enchanting read purely for the love they both share for each other. Shantanu has to take birth as a mortal as he is cursed for staring at Ganga inappropriately.  Ganga is sent on earth as a medium to fulfill the other conditions of the curse. A chanced meeting, a fleet exchange of glances results into a passion so deep that it paints both the worlds red. I witnessed undying love, deep passion, and the magical transformation that a person undergoes when in love in this story.



Having read The Valmiki Syndrome by this author previously I grabbed the opportunity to read another book written by him as I loved his style of narrating history making it more enjoyable rather than reminding about the boring times these things had happened.The simplicity of the language coupled with wonderful descriptions made these books a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Highly recommended for people who love-love, like me and who enjoy reading love stories!!

Foodie Verdict

Source: Google Images

The series of this books is like Mishti Doi as the moment you eat it you immediately feel a surge of sweetness within you and bringing a huge grin on your face.

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