Vikram & Vetala : A Transformative Retelling | Hardcover

Vikram and Vetala by Douglas J. Penick | Indian Mythology Retelling

Introduction

Vikram and Vetala: A Transformative Retelling by Douglas J. Penick reimagines one of India's enduring collections of legendary tales through a vivid modern retelling. Combining ancient Indian folklore, mystery, moral dilemmas, humour, horror, and philosophical reflection, the book follows King Vikramaditya and the enigmatic Vetala through a series of stories designed to challenge the king's judgement.

About This Book

Young King Vikramaditya is tasked with carrying a mysterious Vetala, a corpse-spirit hanging from a tree in an abandoned cemetery. During the journey, the Vetala tells him twenty-five stories, each ending with a question that the king must answer. Whenever Vikramaditya gives his answer, the Vetala returns to the tree, forcing the king to begin the task again.

Douglas J. Penick's retelling goes beyond the individual tales by exploring the origin of the Vetala and bringing the wider story to a complete conclusion. The collection moves through tales of love, courage, passion, deception, cunning, cruelty, and difficult moral choices.

With an introduction by Namita Gokhale, the book also places these stories within the ancient Indian storytelling tradition from which they emerged. Penick's adaptation offers contemporary readers a fresh way to encounter this enduring body of Indian folklore.

What You’ll Discover

• Twenty-five tales of the Vetala: Follow a series of stories, each ending in a question that tests Vikramaditya's judgement.
• King Vikramaditya: Explore the courage, intelligence, and moral reasoning of the king at the centre of the frame story.
• The Vetala's origin: Discover the background of the mysterious corpse-spirit beyond the individual tales.
• Riddles and moral dilemmas: Consider questions involving truth, duty, justice, love, deception, and human behaviour.
• Ancient Indian folklore: Experience a modern retelling rooted in a long-standing Indian storytelling tradition.
• Humour, horror, and adventure: Move between eerie encounters, dramatic situations, unexpected turns, and imaginative storytelling.
• A complete narrative arc: Follow the larger story through to its concluding resolution rather than encountering the tales in isolation.

Perfect For

• Readers interested in Indian mythology and folklore
• Fans of classic Indian storytelling traditions
• Readers who enjoy moral tales and philosophical fiction
• Fans of gothic, supernatural, and horror-inspired literature
• Readers exploring world mythology and cultural classics
• Anyone interested in stories that combine riddles, adventure, ethics, and human nature

Why You’ll Love This Book

Vikram and Vetala: A Transformative Retelling brings a familiar Indian storytelling tradition to contemporary readers through Douglas J. Penick's vivid and imaginative prose. The recurring question-and-answer structure gives each tale its own mystery while connecting the stories to a larger exploration of judgement, morality, and wisdom.

With its blend of folklore, horror, humour, philosophy, and adventure, this hardcover offers a distinctive reading experience for anyone interested in India's literary heritage and timeless stories that continue to raise questions about human nature and ethical choice.