Ambapali : A Novel | Book Review

Review of Tanushree Podder's Ambapali: A Novel

• Title - Ambapali: A Novel
• Author - Tanushree Podder
• Publisher - Penguin eBury Press
• Year published - 23 Jan 2023
• Pages - 310
• Genre - Historical fiction
• Format -Paperback

Not every courtesan has gone down in the annals of history like Ambapali. She was beautiful, intelligent, talented and, as the nagarvadhu janpad Kalyani-the bride of the city-she went on to wield immense power amongst the nobles. Until she renounced all worldly pleasures to embrace Buddhism.

This vivid narrative tells the story of a young woman forced to follow a path because of the machinations of powerful people. Propelled onto the cultural centerstage in the Vajji republic against her wishes, betrayed in love, disappointed by friends, Ambapali's is yet the story of a strong woman determined to take control over her life. A remarkable, poignant novel about the dazzling glamour, daring romance, and sacrifice that marked Ambapali's life.

The book starts with Ambapali’s final hours and how the Bhikkhuni recites the verses and Ambapali prompts her here and there. Then we move on to her childhood and the story takes an interesting turn from there.

Found in the Mango grove and named thus, her parents shower her with love and her childhood is just like any other until her Guru asks her to enter a dance competition at the annual carnival. Her fate changes instantly and the life she dreamt of is lost forever.

Her Guru, Suvarnsena, takes control of Ambapali’s life and alienates her from her family and friends when she becomes the Raj Nartaki. Later, when the council decides to make her the Nagarvadhu [Bride of the city], young Ambapalli chooses to take control over her life and makes decisions that will let her live her life the way she wants.

The attraction towards Bimbisara in disguise further changes the course of the story.

I never really knew much about Ambapali until I read this book. Even though the author has added a touch of imagination to the story, I could see the rich, glamorous, strong, and powerful woman she was and how took care of her life and became a Buddhist nun.

What I liked most about this book is the author bringing out the finest details from that era. Be it the dressing, food, customs, and even the details of the picturesque garden surrounding the palace, the description took me back to those times.

The characters’ emotions- the father’s unending love for his daughter, Ambapali’s innocence, lovesick Satyakriti, Bhimbisara’s attraction towards Ambapali, Suvarnasena’s greed and need for control over Ambapali’s life, and beautiful friendship between Ambapali and Priyamvada is so exquisitely painted.

The transformation of Ambapali from an innocent child to that of a mature woman who takes control of the reins of her life is portrayed well.

The story not only shows the life of Ambapali but also how society was so many centuries ago when women were controlled by men to meet their ways and means, decisions taken on the lives of women without even consulting them look no different from the world we live in now!

There was never a dull moment in this book. The pace was steady and

The cover of the book is attractive and fitting to the theme.

The only thing I wish was included was her life after embracing Buddhism and the details of her son.

In all, I enjoyed reading a very good book in one sitting and one that made me look for more details on the life of Ambapali. If you love historical fiction, you will surely love this book.

5/5 stars.

TANUSHREE PODDER was born in New Delhi, India.

Eight years in the corporate sector after her MBA, Tanushree decided to follow the call of her heart and quit everything to take up writing. She calls it her oxygen.

An author of nineteen books, with two more on the editing table, the lady has her hands full. 'I am a nomad at heart and love nothing more than travelling and writing,' is how she describes her interests.

A self confessed word-a-holic and a traveller, Tanushree is sure to be packing her bags and boots to zip around the world when not brandishing her pen. With two successful novels, a dozen best selling nonfiction titles and few hundred travel tales under her belt, she is all set to launch into yet another voyage with words. A bundle of optimism with wandering feet and a kaleidoscope of dreams, she loves nothing better than flirting with clauses and phrases.



Boots Belts Berets, On the Double, Nurjahan's Daughter, Escape from Harem, Solo in Singapore and A Closetful of Skeletons are some of the books written by Tanushree.