The Golden Swan: An East Indian Tale of Love from The Mahabharata

by Marianna Mayer, Robert Sauber (Illustrator)

The ancient Indian poem The Mahabharata is the source and inspiration for this book. Lush in its language and imagery, it is the story of perfect mates kept apart by time and fate. Their heartbreaking separation and reunion make for a poignant tale of true love bitter and sweet.

Genres: India, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Folklore

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Marianna Mayer is a children's book author and artist recognized for her beautifully written retellings of classic folk and fairy tales. Born in New York City, she began her artistic training early and studied at the Art Students League after a year of college. Her first book was published at the age of nineteen. Mayer has authored several acclaimed works, including Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, Pegasus, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, often collaborating with renowned illustrators such as Kinuko Y. Craft and Michael Hague. She was previously married to illustrator Mercer Mayer.

Reviews

[Rebekah Holladay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, short story. Fun to read if you like fairytales (I do).

[Talea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about the love conquering all, even when our worst enemy is our own bad choices.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayer spins an original tale inspired by the ancient Sanskrit poem, The Mahabharata. Golden swans with red-tipped wings are emissaries of the gods in this tale of thwarted love.

[Kathely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat legend