When I was a child, there was a book in the school's library that enchanted me -- The Five Sons of King Pandu by Elizabeth Seeger. A simplified retelling of the massive Indian classic, The Mahabharata, it centers mostly around the stories of five brothers, semi-divine beings who go literally from rags to riches to enlightenment to the sound of battles and heroic deeds.
And even more central to the story is of the remarkable Draupadi, the exquisite princess who becomes the wife of the five brothers -- all at the same time. But along with the Pandavas, Draupadi also acquires Kunti, her demanding, bitter mother-in-law. Chitra Benerjee Divakaruni takes this story, and by telling it through the eyes of Draupadi, gives it all a unique spin.
For Draupadi -- or Panchaali, as she also named -- is also the product of a magical birth. Born in the flames of a fire, she and her twin brother, Dhristadyumna, destined to fulfill their father's terrible thirst for revenge against his sworn brother, Drona. There is also their cousin, Krishna, dark-skinned and irresistible to both men and women, and who seemingly can't give a straight answer without a riddle attached. Draupadi finds herself longing for a marriage to a brave prince, who will make her a dazzling queen in her own palace -- but when a fortune-teller prophecies that not only will she have just that, but also bring about the end of the Third Age of Man, Draupadi starts to suspect that having exactly what she wants may not be the same as wanting it. For when the contest is held to pick her husband-to-be, not only is she a contested prize, but she meets someone that will change her life forever... and change the course of the great civil war that is to come.
I have to say, this is quite a novel. There are magical weapons, conflict, lust, jealousy, anger, but also heroism, justice, and most of all, love. While I was already familiar with the story, there were enough new elements there to keep the tale fresh and revealing. And Draupadi is quite different than just about any other princess in literature -- instead of being a passive player, here she is the prime cause of the Pandavas' deadly feud towards their cousins, the treacherous Kauravas, and how they avenge her humiliation and degradation at their hands. She's also prideful, arrogant, and downright b!tchy in spots, not afraid to harangue her husbands, and even long for a man who has a secret that will change everything -- if he dares to do so.
In fact, I found the character of Karna, a brilliant and honorable warrior, who is more kingly than those born to the role, the most interesting one in the book. Despite that there isn't much in the book that has him as a player in the story, he is throughout the story, and the frustrated desire of Draupadi that is never hinted at in public, but colours nearly all of her actions and thoughts.
For anyone who is interested in the myths and legends of India, this is a must-read. Divakaruni's writing is brisk and imaginative, delving into the innermost thoughts of Draupadi, and making her a very believable and human character. While keeping track of all of the various characters and their rather intricate names can be a bit of a chore, the author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of all of the characters and a family tree to keep everyone straight. Unusually, the author's note is at the beginning of the book, rather than at the end, and she discusses her reasons for writing this story.
All in all, this was a very good novel, full of surprises and insights, and moved very quickly. For those who are looking for something unusual, this one should fit the bill quite nicely.
Four and a half stars, rounded off to four. Recommended.
The Palace of Illusions
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
2008; Doubleday Books
ISBN 978-0-385-51599-3
