Germany-based Guyanese launches new novel

By Samuel Sukhnandan
Germany-based Guyanese novelist Sharon Maas has launched a new e-book, The Sons of Gods – The Mahabharata Retold, an Indian anthology, which she adapted and rewrote as a novel. Maas told Guyana Times International, in an interview last Friday, that it took her 30 years to write the book. According to Maas, she has always loved the Indian epic, but thought that it needed some more work to allow people to understand the story.

Maas first came across the Mahabharata in 1973, which was written by Kamala Subramaniam. She termed the book “amazing”, but was written in such a way that would appeal to children.
The Mahabharata is Hinduism’s greatest epic. This story, which may be the oldest written one in the world, can also be termed the longest, Maas told this publication. “After reading the Mahabharata at the tender age of 23, I set out on a mission: to find the perfect version. I was living in India at the time, and I found several editions by various authors, but none satisfied me.”
Maas believes the story is the cornerstones of world mythology. “I feel it will make us all richer… the Mahabharata belongs to everyone, whether they are from West or East,” she explained. “I’ve always loved this book, but I always felt that there wasn’t any real interesting or intriguing version of English available. So I decided to write this book for myself. I kept revisiting, rewriting and has finally published it as an e-book,” she said.
Maas told this newspaper that she believes that her contribution to the story is making it more of a human interest story, which will be enjoyed by all readers. The story will be particularly enjoyed by people who have a special interest in Indian ancestry and religion.
Maas, who has written three novels: Of Marriageable Age, The Speech of Angels and Peacocks Dancing, said she would like to move on with her career and write non-fictional novels. The 61-year-old mother reflected on when she first started writing. “I worked for the Guyana Graphic and later went on to the Guyana Chronicle. I also travelled to countries in South America, and took the opportunity to write about my experiences.”
Maas, whose writing is compared to that of Isabelle Allende’s (a Chilean born novelist), said she plans to work on her next writing project soon. According to her, she is currently researching and complying information on the life of the late President of Guyana Janet Jagan and her family.
Maas told Guyana Times International: “I spoke to Mrs Janet Jagan a few years ago, before she died and she wanted me to write her biography. So I might write a biography of the Jagans as my next project.”
Maas was born in Georgetown in 1951 of mixed ancestry which contributes in no small measure to the complexity of themes in her work. She came from a prominent political family. Her mother, Eileen Cox, is one of Guyana’s earliest feminists, human rights activists, and consumer advocates; her father, David Westmaas, was press secretary for the People’s Progressive Party. Maas is a mother of two, and is married to a German national. Maas’ new book is available at Amazon.com.
By Samuel Sukhnandan
Germany-based Guyanese novelist Sharon Maas has launched a new e-book, The Sons of Gods – The Mahabharata Retold, an Indian anthology, which she adapted and rewrote as a novel. Maas told Guyana Times International, in an interview last Friday, that it took her 30 years to write the book. According to Maas, she has always loved the Indian epic, but thought that it needed some more work to allow people to understand the story. Maas first came across the Mahabharata in 1973, which was written by Kamala Subramaniam. She termed the book “amazing”, but was written in such a way that would appeal to children. The Mahabharata is Hinduism’s greatest epic. This story, which may be the oldest written one in the world, can also be termed the longest, Maas told this publication. “After reading the Mahabharata at the tender age of 23, I set out on a mission: to find the perfect version. I was living in India at the time, and I found several editions by various authors, but none satisfied me.” Maas believes the story is the cornerstones of world mythology. “I feel it will make us all richer… the Mahabharata belongs to everyone, whether they are from West or East,” she explained. “I’ve always loved this book, but I always felt that there wasn’t any real interesting or intriguing version of English available. So I decided to write this book for myself. I kept revisiting, rewriting and has finally published it as an e-book,” she said. Maas told this newspaper that she believes that her contribution to the story is making it more of a human interest story, which will be enjoyed by all readers. The story will be particularly enjoyed by people who have a special interest in Indian ancestry and religion. Maas, who has written three novels: Of Marriageable Age, The Speech of Angels and Peacocks Dancing, said she would like to move on with her career and write non-fictional novels. The 61-year-old mother reflected on when she first started writing. “I worked for the Guyana Graphic and later went on to the Guyana Chronicle. I also travelled to countries in South America, and took the opportunity to write about my experiences.” Maas, whose writing is compared to that of Isabelle Allende’s (a Chilean born novelist), said she plans to work on her next writing project soon. According to her, she is currently researching and complying information on the life of the late President of Guyana Janet Jagan and her family.Maas told Guyana Times International: “I spoke to Mrs Janet Jagan a few years ago, before she died and she wanted me to write her biography. So I might write a biography of the Jagans as my next project.” Maas was born in Georgetown in 1951 of mixed ancestry which contributes in no small measure to the complexity of themes in her work. She came from a prominent political family. Her mother, Eileen Cox, is one of Guyana’s earliest feminists, human rights activists, and consumer advocates; her father, David Westmaas, was press secretary for the People’s Progressive Party. Maas is a mother of two, and is married to a German national. Maas’ new book is available at Amazon.com.