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Amba - The Question of Red by Lakshmi Pamuntjak (Book reviews: 3.5/5)



Lakshmi Pamuntjak's refreshingly beautiful Amba - The Question of Red is the story of Amba and Bhishma, with the Communist insurgencies of Indonesia post-independence in the background. The protagonists, named after the Hindu epic Mahabharata characters, are inspired from the actual characters of the epic themselves, and so is their love-fate. Amidst violence, riots, and death threats, the blooming of Amba and Bhishma's profound love story, layer by layer, emotion post emotion, is paced yet believable.  

The Mahabharata is widely read in the South Asian countries, and several folk tales have thus been told over the years. One of these folk tales quite popular in the Java islands is the forbidden love story of Amba, the princess of Kashi, and Bhishma, the celibate son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga.

According to the Mahabharata, Bhisma abducted Amba and her two younger sisters, Ambika and Ambalika to wed them to his step-brother Vichitravirya. After learning that Amba was in love with King Salva of Saubala, Bhishma apologizes to her and respectfully drives her to her betrothed. Salva though, embarrassed of being unable to protect Amba, humiliates and rejects her. Dejected, Amba pleads Bhisma to marry her since no Kshatriya King would marry her now. But having taken the oath of celibacy, Bhishma rejects her proposal as well, leaving Amba with a burning desire for revenge.

It is a popular folk-tale in Indonesia that during the entire chaos, Bhishma and Amba fell in love with each other, and given their situation, their love story remained incomplete and full of pain.

Lakshmi Pamuntjak's Amba Kinanti, Bhishma Rashad, and Salwani Munir's lives face the similar fates as of their mythological namesakes. The author has brilliantly put forward their emotions in the time of the violent tumult going on in their country. The war between love and duty, the sacrifices that have to be made, and the betrayal along the way have been given quite an emotional touch by the author.

Why you should read Amba: Despite a lot of riots happening in the framework, the story doesn't lose its touch. It is heartbreakingly soothing at times. Character development is the USP of the book. It is an intense read undoubtedly, but the theme and execution by the budding Indonesian female author is quite promising. And the cover is so temptingly beautiful, the book will definitely add gleam to your bookshelf.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Title: Amba - The Question of Red
Author: Lakshmi Pamuntjak
Genre: Romance, Historic fiction
Publisher: Speaking Tiger

Find the book: Amazon |  Goodreads | Flipkart

  





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