May 10, 2010

The Palace of Illusions



The Palace of Illusions
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The Palace of Illusions is a familiar story — of the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Who has not heard the great epic tale of Mahabharat? But this is “Panchali’s Mahabharat”!

A captivating tale from the beginning, we don’t start with King Shantanu falling in love with Ganga, but with a young Draupadi curious about her unusual birth. The book explores her inquisitive, yet innocent nature, and traces her emergence as ‘the woman who changed history’.

Chitra Divakaruni leaves behind the male protagonists and shows us the turn of events through the eyes of Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas and daughter of King Drupad.

We all know the story; then what is it that captivates the readers? Simply, Draupadi’s character — her doubts, her fears, her secrets. Every woman will see a reflection of herself in the complex maze that is Panchali; every man what he loves and hates about women.

With a narrative that makes you turn pages with frenzy, The Palace of Illusions is the perfect companion for a lonely night.

3 comments:

Justme said...

Been meaning to read this. Thanks for bringing back the interest.

Prasheila said...

You are welcome! Didn't I borrow ir from you to read it? Or was it N?

Prasheila said...

*it