Book
Kaikeyi : a novel / Vaishnavi Patel.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780759557338 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: xii, 478 pages ; 25 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York, NY : Redhook, 2022.
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Kaikeyī (Hindu mythological character) > Fiction. Demonology > Fiction. Hindu gods > Fiction. Hindu mythology > Fiction. Queens > Fiction. |
| Genre: | Historical fiction. Fairy tales. Novels. |
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Branch | FIC Patel | 31681010283356 | FICTION | Available | - |
- Baker & Taylor
""I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions-much good it did me." So begins Kaikeyi's tale. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on grand stories about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned vast oceans to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they offer the devoted and the wise magnificent boons, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land prospers. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, her own worth measured by how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear. Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the ancient texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. She uses it to transform herself from overlooked princess into warrior, diplomat, and most-favored queen, determined to forge a better world for herself than the one that gods and men have granted. But as the demons of stories Kaikeyi grew up hearing threaten the cosmic order, her will clashes with the path that the gods have chosen for her family-and especially that of her beloved son, Rama. And she must decide if her resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak...and what legacy she intends to leave behind"-- - Baker & Taylor
The only princess of the kingdom of Kekaya discovers she possesses magic when she revisits the ancient texts she used to read with her banished mother and transforms herself into a warrior to make a better world for other women. - Grand Central Pub
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ⢠"MYTHIC RETELLING AT ITS BEST." (R. F. Kuang, author of Yellowface) ⢠A 2023 IGNYTE AWARD FINALIST ⢠A BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB PICK
âWith a graceful, measured eleganceâ (New York Times), this lyrical novel reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana, giving voice to an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positionsâmuch good it did me.
So begins Kaikeyiâs story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on legends of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.
Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.
But as the evil from her childhood tales threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreakâand what legacy she intends to leave behind.
PRAISE FOR KAIKEYI
"Patel resets the balance of power, creating an unforgettable heroine who understands that it isnât necessarily kings or gods who change history."Â âWashington Post
"Easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline Millerâs Circe." âPublishers Weekly (starred review)
"Utterly captivating from start to finish." ?Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witchâs Heart  Â
"Brave, compassionate and powerful."Â ?Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne Â
"A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace."Â ?Ava Reid, author of Juniper & ThornÂ
"Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate."Â ?Roshani Chokshi, author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
"A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanityâs most foundational stories."Â âShannon Chakraborty, author of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
Â
- HARPERCOLL
"Patel’s mesmerizing debut shines a brilliant light on the vilified queen from [the Indian epic] the Ramayana....This easily earns its place on shelves alongside Madeline Miller’s Circe." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”
So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.
Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.
But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak—and what legacy she intends to leave behind.
A stunning debut from a powerful new voice, Kaikeyi reimagines the life of the infamous queen from the Indian epic the Ramayana, weaving a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreak—and an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.
Praise for Kaikeyi:
“Mythic retelling at its best.” ―R. F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War
“Utterly captivating from start to finish.” ―Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart
“Brave, compassionate and powerful.” ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
“A lyrical and evocative retelling, full of power and grace.” ―Ava Reid, author of The Wolf and the Woodsman
“Compulsively readable and infinitely compassionate.” ―Roshani Chokshi, author of The Gilded Wolves
“A thought-provoking, nuanced new look at one of humanity’s most foundational stories.” —S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass
“Fans of Madeline Miller's Circe will fall hard for this story.” ―Booklist (starred review)
