Lilly’s Library May 2024 pick!
“Deeply personal and painfully human . . . Goddess of the River is beautifully crafted. Patel moves between Bhishma’s childhood and the end of his life with limpid fluidity, never losing her cohesive narrative structure. No shift in time is without purpose, no dramatic irony is unintentional.” – BookPage
“Patel returns to Hindu mythology in this stunning feminist retelling of the Mahabharata, which I can happily say is just as excellent as Kaikeyi. . . . This is a gorgeous retelling of the Mahabharata. If you loved Madeline Miller’s and Jennifer Saint’s Greek mythology retellings, you should definitely check out Patel’s novels.” – IGN
“Through Mathan’s skillful portrayal, the interactions between Ganga, mortals, and gods unfold with gripping drama, revealing vulnerabilities in both realms. This reimagined rendition of the legend offers listeners a divine immersion into the world of mythology, enhanced by Mathan’s hypnotic storytelling.” – AudioFile Earphones Award
“In her retelling of the Mahabharata, Patel (Kaikeyi, 2022) has once again narrowed her version of a famous epic onto one compelling, female protagonist. Fans of the original as well as fans of mythological fantasy and retellings will enjoy Ganga’s fierce independence and well-told journey as well as the twists and turns that spell out Bhishma’s destiny in this complex story.” – Booklist
“In “Goddess of the River,” Vaishnavi Patel’s imaginative and lush prose brings to life the ancient tale of Ganga, the Hindu goddess of forgiveness and purification.” – Huffington Post
