Customer Reviews:
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 Cute deities, annoying production August 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a handy compendium of Hindu deities, with the gods and goddesses made cute in a self-confessed Hello Kitty kind of way. The idea is sort of sweet, and I'd love to see Patel do other religious figures this way.
What was profoundly irritating was how difficult some of the pages were to read - white text on pastel-colored pages. The dark-colored pages were fine, but white on pink? White on yellow? What was Penguin thinking?
I hope they'll correct this in the next edition.
 A lovely supplement to a guide to India August 13, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A friend gave us a copy of this book as a going away present for our trip to Northwest India. It made a great supplement to the earlier edition of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (Eyewitness Travel Guide). The charming drawings complement the text in the same way Eyewitness's guides do so well.
Sanjay Patel has recently released Gods Stationery Set; the description of the product contains a link to the author's website.
Patel recently called his book "dorky" on BoingBoing. It is a little dorky, of course, but we found it delightful and educational as well.
Robert C. Ross 2008
 Really enlightening! July 28, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I found this book really mind-blowing. I grew up in India.However didn't get to know much about hinduism, because Mom was an athiest. But had the basic knowledge about Hindu Gods from different sources(Family, visiting Temples, Television,Movies etc). As I grew up, had lot of basic questions, and really felt bad about it. Thought it was too late for me to ask now. I read this book and it cleared all by grey areas. thanks to Sanjay.
Also, because he has presented very crisp information in a simple way, it is just so easy to understand.
Overall, it's a very handy book and am glad now I can pass some knowledge to the next generations to come.
excellent book for introducing kids to relegion/mythology July 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful book, organized into 1-page-text-story with 1-page-picture. Great for bed-time story telling. Just pick up any story and kids enjoy it. Very appropriate for elementary-school-age kids. Highly recommended way to introduce mythology via short stories with great humor.
Little Book of Hindu Deities July 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Little Book of Hindu Deities" by Sanjay Patel is a witty, fun, and refreshing guide to the goddesses and gods of the Hindu tradition. After a traditional opening blessing from the elephant headed god, Ganesha, Patel jumps right in with explanations on the Hindu trinity of gods, forms of the god Shiva, and manifestations of the Goddess.
What makes this book truly unique, however, is Patel's colorful interpretation of the gods. Each deity discussed has a full color cartoon-like counterpart. Drawing from his work at Pixar, Patel creates playful and whimsical images of the Hindu divinities that are both adorable and full of life.
The writing itself is also quite funny. In his description of Saraswati, for example, he writes "...Saravati enjoys playing her instrument, the veena, as loud as she wants and can sit glued to her favorite books, the Vedas, guilt free for hours...Gods, eat your heart out, because this goddess is not available or interested--that is, unless your have a library card or can play back-up sitar" (page 39).
For anyone interested in Hindu myth, "The Little Book of Hindu Deities" is a must. Patel brings the gods, heros, epics, and demi-gods of Hinduism alive in a way I have yet seen. Where else can you find the fierce goddess Kali turned into a huggable power-puff girl? Simply too much good stuff!
Rating: 5 out of 5 magick wands!
*courtesy of [....]
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