Prem Purana: Mythological Love Stories. The author has penned this book with so perfectly that I would not hesitate to call this book a “masterpiece”.

Love is not about only sensual pleasure and lust; rather it is about sacrifice and true faith during adversities. The book is a collection of the love stories of Ganesha and his wives, Ravana and Mandodari, and Nala and Damayanti. Page after page, I lost myself in the story of Ganesha, Ravana and Nala.

Ganesha’s story starts with his meeting Riddhi and then Siddhi and Buddhi. The characterization of the three is very interesting, of beauty, brain and boldness, as in Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga. The scenes are vivid and lively. Ganesha’s love story – which is little known – is truly mesmerising and informative.

Ravana and Mandodari’s story gave me a totally different perspective. This is a story that has never been written in English fiction. Chapters like Beauteous Sita, A Mother’s Grief and Will Love Triumph? will send chills down your spine. The pain and grief of Mandodari along with her true love can be truly felt in the narration of Ms. Narayanan.

Nala and Damayanti’s story is about the pain in love, the pathos. Her love, her losing Nala and regaining her love are vividly explained.

This book is an intriguing tour-de-force and a perfect mix of myth and romance. Each story deals with a particular rasa of love and each one has some message to impart. For those who think that there is no romance in mythology, the book would break their wrong notion. I would recommend the book to all romance and mythological lovers.

I am waiting for the next book of the author ( whose release month I know…..ha…..ha…..ha) and will now read her earlier works.

Imaginative. Intriguing. Intense. I give Prem Purana 5 stars.