#the forest of enchantments

[quotespile]

Perhaps that was why I had to endure pain — because true transformation can only happen in the crucible of suffering. All impurities fall away from gold only when it’s heated to melting.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments

[themelodyofspring]

JOMP Book Photo Challenge

03.Sep.2024 - Mythical Being 🏹

[litsnaps]

[fishyyyyy99]

"But regardless of intention, the author is dead and the text is subject to interpretation on its own merits."

I just read this on Reddit in the context of someone talking about a specific show, but I just felt like putting it out there, because it applies to all TV shows, movies, books, etc.

[yoddhasblog]

Listen, as much as I love this era of retellings of historical or religious stories, as much as I adore reading about different point of views on stories that I've practically grown up hearing about, I believe when writing these retellings, the author has a certain duty to do the original story justice. I don't like this trend of picking people up from the stories, warping up their personalities and then completely changing the entire narrative just to satisfy your own.

[wordsshmords]

This was my first lesson on the nature of love: that in a moment it could fulfill the cravings of a lifetime, like a light that someone might shine into a cavern that has been dark for a million years. -The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

[meowsdesk]

started this and man oh man Chitra never disappoints

[maureen2musings]

Perthshire forest, Dunkeld, Scotland

daniel_casson

[oautincorrectquotes]

Belle: I can't believe you assassinated the King!

Rumple: Well, 'assassinated' implies it was politically motivated. I killed him because he was a dick, so technically I murdered him

Belle: That's not better!

[natureaestheticdreams]

@natureaestheticdreams for more 🍃

[wanderlandjournal]

Wild garlic season

Etsy shop

[quotespile]

It’s not enough to merely love someone. Even if we love them with our entire being, even if we’re willing to commit the most heinous sin for their well-being. We must understand and respect the values that drive them. We must want what they want, not what we want for them.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments

[uwhe-arts]

. . . | uwhe-arts

[litsnaps]

[fishyyyyy99]

Why do I see Never Have I Ever in everything? I am wayyy too obsessed with this show. People will probably think I'm trying too hard to find similarities in the below cases, but I can't help it.

I was reading The Forest of Enchantments (a retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and my mind just went, "OMG, THE GOLDEN DEER IS SITA'S PAXTON!!!!!" Basically, you know how Devi clings extra hard to Paxton because she's dealing with the grief surrounding her dad's death? That reminds me of how Sita is obsessed with the golden deer and the obsession mingles with her personal grief (losing her queenship, kingdom, and especially not having a child), and she really wants it as a sort of compensation. And it's obviously not really what it seems to be, just like Devi's idealisation of Paxton in her head.

And today, I couldn't help but see parallels between Nimona x Gloreth and Ben x Devi - the loneliness and not being able to find a genuine connection anywhere for the longest time (Nimona, Ben), and finally finding it with someone (Gloreth, Devi) who seems to truly see you and accept you for who you are, only for them to betray your trust (thanks to being influenced by other people's opinions). Luckily, Ben didn't have to wait for a 1000 years to get his happy ending.

Another parallel - Devi being seen as crazy, and Nimona being seen as a monster, because people can't handle them being fully themselves. I'm glad they both found people who love them exactly as they are. And honestly, I love seeing them both rage!

[yoddhasblog]