The Palace of Illusions

Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

 

Traits: Mythical, Feminist, Epic 

Language: English 

 

 

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    "The Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a mesmerizing reimagining of the Indian epic Mahabharata from the perspective of Draupadi, a central yet often overlooked character in traditional retellings. This novel stands out for its lyrical prose and its powerful, empathetic portrayal of a woman navigating the intricacies of power, love, and fate in a patriarchal society.

 

    While Draupadi has always been portrayed as a victim by all the accounts of Mahabharata I’ve heard and read, in this book Draupadi is anything but victim. She is shown as fiercely independent woman who is not afraid to stand for herself or to ask questions. She is shown as a rebellious woman who wants to take her destiny in her own hands. 

 

    The blending of myth and history, while skillfully done, might leave some readers feeling lost if they are not already familiar with the Mahabharata. The novel assumes a certain level of prior knowledge about the epic, and those without it might struggle to fully grasp the significance of certain events and characters. 

 

    "The Palace of Illusions" is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian mythology, feminist literature, or simply a beautifully told tale of a woman's quest for identity and purpose in a tumultuous world.

R/W ratings: 9/ 10 

 

Goodreads ratings: 4.2/5

(As on date of publishing the post)

 

Reviewed by: Shikha Lal 

Please know that the R/W Ratings as provided in here is limited to the specific reviewer's opinion and doesn't reflect an accumulative briefing of the book. The book's impression may vary from reader to reader, and substantially so in certain cases. For an accumulative briefing, do refer the Goodreads rating as provided herein. 

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