Author : Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Genre : Mythological Fiction
Pages : 314
The Palace Of Illusions is a retelling of Mahabharata, as narrated by Draupadi also referred to as Panchaali – the wife of the five Pandava brothers. It traces her life from her lonely childhood days, her unusual marriage, to how she acts as a catalyst for the great Kurukshetra War.
“Can our actions change our destiny? Or are they like sand piled against the breakage in a dam, merely delaying the inevitable?”
The first part of the book describes Draupadi's life as a princess, and how the events of her early life shape the ones that are to follow later. The next section is about her married life with the Pandavas, and their years spent in the most beautiful palace, The Palace of Illusions and later in exile for 13 years. And the final part shows us both, the pleasure and pain that the war brings along with significant learnings and lessons.
The most exciting part of the book is the unusual love story of Draupadi and Karna, who happens to be one of the vital enemies of the Pandava’s. The book describes Draupadi’s pain, suffering, conflict and ambition at every moment in a way, so that we as readers are able to feel all these emotions while understanding all her motives and intentions. The author shows how women can be ambitious and intelligent, while also being damaged and selfish, but yet sacrificing and giving.
“Expectations are like hidden rocks in your path – all they do is trip you up.”
It is an influential book through which a great deal of life lessons can be acquired. The narration is very engaging and the writing style is beautiful and straightforward, though the book may become ambiguous at times.
Sharing my favourite excerpt from the book – “The life that you’re living today is only a bubble in the cosmic stream, shaped by the karma of other lifetimes. The one who is your husband in this birth was perhaps your enemy in the last, and he whom you hate may have been your beloved. Why weep for any of them then ?”( Vyasa to Draupadi.)
Rating : 4.7/5
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Happy Reading !
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