Sasson's writing is beautifully crafted and transports the reader to the ancient world of India, where the story is set. The author's portrayal of Yashodhara is particularly compelling, as she is often overlooked in traditional Buddhist narratives. In this book, Yashodhara's character is given the depth and complexity she deserves.

The book provides a detailed account of the life of Yashodhara, from her early years as a princess to her eventual marriage to Prince Siddhartha. The story explores the challenges faced by Yashodhara as the wife of a man who ultimately becomes a spiritual leader, and the sacrifices she makes to support him.

Overall, "Yashodhara and Buddha" is a thought-provoking and well-written book that sheds light on the life of Yashodhara and the challenges faced by women in ancient India. It is a must-read for those interested in Buddhism, women's history, and historical fiction

I was drawn to 'Yasodhara & the Buddha' as I know very little about the Buddha's life, and learning through a novelisation appealed to me. The author is an academic of Buddhism Studies, and provides references and notes on details that she has changed from traditional narratives at the end of the book.

I am not Buddhist, nor from a region where Buddhism is widely practiced, so cannot comment on the authenticity of the narrative Sasson presents. I have seen negative reviews of a previous copy of this work from Buddhists questioning its veracity, however, so would take the narrative as a sort of Buddhist Midrash and do research from more traditional texts before taking it as fact.

The story itself is told simply, and focuses on the perspective of the Buddha's wife Yasodhara, with a slight Feminist lens given to the tale. The characterisation of Yasodhara was endearing, and I really felt connected to her in her times of sadness and grief. The simplicity of the writing is beautiful in places, though I felt the pacing was too slow during the middle section of the book.

Overall I found the novel interesting, but remain unsure of how true it is to Buddhist traditions. I await reviews from more informed readers to form my opinions further.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.