Rama’s Labyrinth
Sandra Wagner-Wright, 2015
Wagner-Wright Enterprises
546 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780996384513
Summary
A biographical historical novel about Pandita Ramabai, an Indian reformer based in Pune, India who rescued high caste child widows and famine victims.
Rama spent her childhood visiting Hindu shrines. She wanted a home. But no. The family wandered until death left Rama alone.
Twenty years old, erudite and womanly, Rama arrived in Calcutta. She met her husband and was content until death again destroyed her life.
A single parent, Rama crossed the water to England and the United States, educated herself, and returned to India a Christian. Ready to open a school for child widows, Rama faced prejudice. Could she be trusted?
At every point, Rama pushed against a labyrinth of isolating false starts. Engulfed by controversy, without resources, and determined to fight death, Rama built a home for famine victims. Would this be her labyrinth’s center or another dead end?
Author Bio
Sandra Wagner-Wright holds the doctoral degree in history and taught women’s and global history at the University of Hawai`i. Rama’s Labyrinth is her first work of historical fiction.
When she’s not researching or writing, Sandra enjoys travel, including trips to India, South Africa, and the Galapagos Islands. Sandra particularly likes writing about strong women who make a difference. She lives in Hilo, Hawai`i. (From the author.)
Visit the author's website.
Follow the author on Facebook.
Book Reviews
[A] thoroughly convincing dramatic take on a strand of Indian history rarely touched on in fiction.
Steve Donoghue - Historical Novel Society
Cleanly written, subtle in the treatment of intimacies, with excellent sensorial immediacy, Rama’s Labyrinth is a weekend’s engaging pursuit.
David Lloyd Sutton - San Francisco Book Review
Wagner-Wright’s novel is an informative exploration of one of history’s many forgotten heroines.
Kirkus Reviews
Discussion Questions
1. Characterize the members of Rama’s family. What do Anant Shastri, Laxmibai, Srinivas, and Krishna want? What keeps them from achieving their desires?
2. What do the first eight chapters reveal about a woman’s position in the family? Does she have any control over her life? Is there anything unusual about the women in Rama’s family?
3. What does it mean when Anant Shastri names Rama as a scholar? How does Rama’s family react? How does Rama’s life change?
4. How do Rama and her family members react and relate to the gods? Why do they participate in continuous pilgrimages?
5. Laxmibai makes her son Srinivas swear to protect and provide for his sisters. How will this affect his life? How will it affect Rama?
6. At Varanasi Rama overhears her father speaking to a former student. The student’s last words were Yeshu Khrista. What did Anant Shastri mean when he said, "Strange how belief can change and yet remain the same."
7. Upon investigation, Srinivas declares the Seven Floating Hills to be a fraud. How does this declaration affect Rama?
8. Compare the responses of Srinivas and Rama to the deaths of their family members. Why does Srinivas finally decide Rama can recite?
9. Srinivas tells Rama: "You’re like Father. Strong, committed, unwavering." Is he correct?
10. What was the purpose of Rama’s examination in Sanskrit, and how does her success change her life?
11. Rama tells her brother: "There is no escaping men’s desires." What do you think she meant?
12. What did you think of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, "Unending Love"? What was Bipin trying to express to Rama?
13. After her brother’s death, Rama agrees to marry Bipin. How much of her decision is due to her promise to Srinivas, her affection for Bipin, and/or the fact that she had no family?
14. Rama encourages Reverend Allen to tell her about Christianity. Despite the fact she finds many aspects illogical, Rama is drawn to the religion. Why?
15. What issues does Rama face as a single parent? Could she have made other arrangements?
16. Why does Rama decide to go to England? How does she propose to support herself?
17. Why does Rama decide she and her daughter will be baptized? What does she actually believe?
18. Rama launches a public speaking tour in America. But first she sends Mano away. How does she justify sending her child back to Sister Geraldine?
19. What are some of the cultural difficulties Rama has in America?
20. As Rama leaves America to return to India, she wonders: “How many lives a person can live in one lifetime.” What does she mean?
21. What brings students to Rama’s school?
22. Do you think Rama was right in her decision to leave her door open so students could join/hear her prayers?
23. One in Pune, Rama begins a spiritual crisis. What do you think brought on her unhappiness and doubt? How does this affect the school?
24. Where does Rama take Judith on their tour of India? How does Rama react to being in Varanasi again? In Agra? Do you get a sense that Rama’s life is coming full circle?
25. Rama’ sends her daughter away for education, first to a local school and then to England. How does Mano respond? Do you think Rama thought through the decision to send Mano to England? If so, why does she transfer Mano to an American school?
26. As Rama moves away from Hinduism, does she become more or less like her father?
27. How does Rama orchestrate the atmosphere at Mukti before and after the Revival begins?
28. What is life like at Mukti, especially after the Revival begins? Does life at Mukti remind you of Rama’s experiences at Wantage convent and Cheltenham Ladies’ College?
29. After Mano completes her education, is there any change in the relationship with her mother? Is Mano becoming her own woman, or does she remain in Rama’s shadow? Is Mano like her mother?
30. Compare Rama’s reaction to Mano’s death to her reactions after other family members died.
31. Is Rama at peace when she dies? Does she have regrets? Has she achieved her destiny?
32. What sections of Rama’s Labyrinth resonated with you?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)