Reading Notes: The Indian Storybook by Richard Wilson Part B

This reading was the story of Shakuntala as interpreted by Richard Wilson. His title is "Shakuntala and Dushyanta." This tragic but ultimately happy story was told so poetically - I am sad that I did not discover Mr. Wilson or Ms. Devee's interpretations earlier on in the semester when I had more time to mull over them. I've bought both books though, so hopefully in the future I'll be able to enjoy them like they deserve.

This story of Shakuntala is a bit different from the one in Ms. Devee's book, but still essentially the same. While she had more detail than the others I had read before her, Mr. Wilson really turns it into more of a novel, which I appreciate. The story moves a lot more smoothly in the way he tells it.

I can't imagine the despair Shakuntala had to have been feeling at first of all being left behind for so long, and then knowing for sure that the love of her life had forgotten her. Her strength throughout all of it and her graciousness earns her the spot she holds in Nine Ideal Women, as well as the many retellings of her story. Mr. Wilson does her justice, and this interpretation was a pleasure to read.

This is a depiction of Shakuntala trying to show her baby to the king and convince him that they are married, and him being like NOPE.

Source of reading.

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Indian Epics

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