{"product_id":"vikram-vetala-a-transformative-retelling-hardcover","title":"Vikram \u0026 Vetala : A Transformative Retelling | Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVikram and Vetala by Douglas J. Penick | Indian Mythology Retelling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVikram and Vetala: A Transformative Retelling\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout This Book\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eYoung 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDouglas 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You’ll Discover\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwenty-five tales of the Vetala:\u003c\/strong\u003e Follow a series of stories, each ending in a question that tests Vikramaditya's judgement.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKing Vikramaditya:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore the courage, intelligence, and moral reasoning of the king at the centre of the frame story.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Vetala's origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discover the background of the mysterious corpse-spirit beyond the individual tales.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRiddles and moral dilemmas:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consider questions involving truth, duty, justice, love, deception, and human behaviour.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Indian folklore:\u003c\/strong\u003e Experience a modern retelling rooted in a long-standing Indian storytelling tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumour, horror, and adventure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Move between eerie encounters, dramatic situations, unexpected turns, and imaginative storytelling.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA complete narrative arc:\u003c\/strong\u003e Follow the larger story through to its concluding resolution rather than encountering the tales in isolation.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eReaders interested in Indian mythology and folklore\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFans of classic Indian storytelling traditions\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eReaders who enjoy moral tales and philosophical fiction\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFans of gothic, supernatural, and horror-inspired literature\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eReaders exploring world mythology and cultural classics\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAnyone interested in stories that combine riddles, adventure, ethics, and human nature\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You’ll Love This Book\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVikram and Vetala: A Transformative Retelling\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"J. Douglas Penick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54604198609171,"sku":"BY13.5926","price":660.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/booksandyou.in\/products\/vikram-vetala-a-transformative-retelling-hardcover","provider":"Books and You","version":"1.0","type":"link"}