The Palace of Illusions: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: King Drupad, Indra Prastha, Palace of Illusions (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Recasting the Indian epic Mahabharata from the perspective of Princess Panchaali, veteran novelist Divakaruni (Queen of Dream) offers a vivid and inventive companion to the renowned poem. Born from fire and marked with the prophecy that she will change the course of history, the strong-willed Panchaali declares early on that she won't spend her life merely supporting the men around her. Soon enough, she bucks tradition by simultaneously wedding all five famous Pandava brothers, who have been denied their rightful kingdom, and finds herself the happy mistress of the much-envied palace of illusions. Panchaali's joy is short-lived, however, when hubris, fate and the desire for vengeance in reclaiming the Pandavas' kingdom (all also prophesied) cause her and her husbands to make mistakes that have cascading political effects, shattering peace in the region. Devastation ensues, but spiritual remarks from the divine Krishna put life and death in a cosmic context. Despite an intrusive retrospective voice (I didn't know then how sorely...love would be tested) and a sometimes heavy-handed feminism, Divakaruni's rich, action-filled narrative contrasts well with the complex psychological portrait of a mythic princess. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The double bind that torques women’s lives is Divakaruni’s key theme in lambent novels and short stories about women who immigrate to America from India, and the curious ways the deep past seeps into the present. Divakaruni often weaves glimmering threads from the Hindu sagas into her fiction, and now, in her twelfth book, she goes directly to the source, the Mahabharat, India’s most magnificent epic, and boldly retells this Homeric tale of a battle for supremacy between two branches of a ruling dynasty––and dramatization of the internal war between emotion and reason––from the point of view of its central female character. Smart, resilient, and courageous Panchaali, born of fire, marries all five of the famously heroic Pandava brothers, harbors a secret love, endures a long exile in the wilderness, instigates a catastrophic war, and slowly learns the truth about Krishna, her mysterious friend. By rendering the women characters as complexly as the men, and fully illuminating the “insanity of war” and the fragility of civilization, Divakaruni’s historic and transporting variation adds new and truly revelatory psychological and social dimensions to the great epic’s indelible story of sacrifice and spiritual awakening. Divakaruni has triumphantly fulfilled a profound mission. --Donna Seaman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; Reprint edition (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400096200
• ISBN-13: 978-1400096206
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,304 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( D ) > Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee
  #33 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Asian American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it immensely , February 25, 2008

By	Fikus Tree "fikustree" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palace of Illusions: A Novel (Hardcover)

First I think it is important to mention that I have never read the Mahabharata on which "The Palace of Illusions in Based". I have read various Indian short stories, myths, and teachings including several translations of the Yoga Sutras. I was always intimidated by the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita because they are written in verse which to me is easier to listen to then read. They are also predominantly about war and battles which is generally not an interest not something I enjoy reading about. I was attracted to Illusion both because it was a retelling of the story which I knew wouldn't focus on battles and from the perspective of the female characters in the book. I know that many will scoff at the idea of this but I feel completely encouraged now to read both Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita because now I will have a context to put them in and an easier time reading the verse.

Reading this book was similar to reading "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West". The story is told from the point of view of Panchaali and she narrates the story starting when she is very young. Whole chapters have other characters telling stories that Panchaali is not involved in as a dialogue between herself and other characters. I especially enjoyed this technique in an early chapter when she and her brother Dhri go back and forth about how their father's generation got into their current problems. Her nanny tells her the story of her birth through fire and other stories come along the way. For the most part Panchaali talks about what she is experiencing and how she feels about things. She starts with very child-like ideas but as the story progresses some depth is acquired.

Overall I loved the story. I was able to keep the many characters straight with no problem even though there was as many as Anna Karenina and only consulted the family tree at the beginning a couple times. I grew to love many of the characters and was really repelled by others. The story moved at a great pace and I stayed up late reading because it was so exciting.
I think many people would really love this book. If you are interested in mythology or Indian History but intimidated by the classic works I highly recommend this book and Ganesha Goes to Lunch. Both are re-tellings of these ancient stories in modern language. I also think that fans of Wicked and the whole genre of seeing an old story from another point of view would really enjoy this book. Finally, I don't think it is at all out of reach for young adults. As a young person I would have adored this book. It was really wonderful, filled with magic, gods, and learning.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic myth gets a new fresh look in The Palace of Illusions, March 15, 2008

By	Rebecca Huston "telynor" (On the Banks of the Hudson) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Palace of Illusions: A Novel (Hardcover)

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

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A retelling of the epic poem the Mahabharat, February 23, 2008

By	Ratmammy "The Ratmammy" (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Palace of Illusions: A Novel (Hardcover)

THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Rating: 4/5 stars

February 23, 2008

For fans of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS is quite a departure from her previous novels. In her most current work, Divakaruni attempts to take the tale of the Mahabharat, the longest epic poem in history, and rewrites it so that the focus is now on the woman that played a large part in this epic tale. Panchaali, the woman who is fated to marry five men of royal birth, tells the story of her life and how she and her marriage changes the course of history.

The story starts with Panchaali's childhood, which is not one that was typical in her day. She manages to get an education alongside her brother, although it is forbidden for girls to go to school, and she learns the ways of War and other important topics needed to rule a kingdom.

When a wise man comes to her and tells her that she will eventually marry five brothers and be the cause of a Great War, Panchaali of course does not believe it. But as one by one the prophecies come true, Panchaali knows that her life has been fated to end in tragedy.

THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS is the epic tale of a woman who finds herself to be the catalyst of a war that will change the lives of many in ancient India. One may want to compare this tale to the likes of Homer's famous epics, with Indian gods and royalty living as one. It's also a tale of love and passion, with a strong emphasis on tragedy. I found that this was not an easy read, but when I finally reached the end of the story, I had a sense of satisfaction at having read such an admirable piece of writing.