Krishna, too, in his many-faceted character, shines as an eternal presence, only revealed in the end for his true identity. Especially Panchaali, the heroine, will stick in my mind as a faulty yet lovable woman, mistaken in much, but struggling always to find truth and love. I was entranced from the first page to the last, and loved the very human faces put on the feats of the heroes and gods in the story. By one of my long-time favorite authors, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, it is completely satisfying and at the same time educational. The Palace of Illusion by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a re-telling of the Indian epic, the Mahabarat, from the perspective of Draupadi.
Panchaali is a fiery female redefining for us a world of warriors, gods, and the ever-manipulating hands of fate. Meanwhile, we never lose sight of her strategic duels with her mother-in-law, her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna, or her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands’ most dangerous enemy. Panchaali is swept into their quest to reclaim their birthright, remaining at their side through years of exile and a terrible civil war involving all the important kings of India. The novel traces the princess Panchaali’s life, beginning with her birth in fire and following her spirited balancing act as a woman with five husbands who have been cheated out of their father’s kingdom. Narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the legendary Pandavas brothers in the Mahabharat, the novel gives us a new interpretation of this ancient tale. Relevant to today’s war-torn world, The Palace of Illusions takes us back to a time that is half history, half myth, and wholly magical. Narration: First Person (Draupadi’s Point of view)Ī reimagining of the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat-told from the point of view of an amazing woman. Major Characters: Panchaali, Arjun, Yudhishthir, Bhim, Krishna, Duryodhan, Karna, Dhristadhyumna, Drauna, Bhishma
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