This is a spoiler-free summary and review of the book The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
The Palace of Illusions, a modern retelling of the Indian epic—the Mahabharat, is one of the most famous works of Divakaruni. The book transports us to a period equally made up of myth and enchantment.
About The Book
Title: The Palace of Illusions
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Genre: Mythology, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Doubleday
Type: Standalone
Pages: 360
Goodreads rating: 4.19/5
This novel retells The Mahabharata, the Hindu epic, from the point of view of Panchaali, famously known as Draupadi.
Panchaali is the daughter of King Drupad, born out of a magical fire along with her brother Dhri. As she grows older, being a woman, she has no choice but to marry.
But fate has it that she marries five men and changes the course of history with her need for revenge for the injustice she undergoes.
Her deft maneuvers with her mother-in-law, her complex friendship with the enigmatic Krishna, and her covert attraction to the enigmatic man, her husband’s most dangerous foe, are all never lost in the background.
Panchaali redefines a universe of warriors, gods, and constantly tinkering fates.
Book Review of The Palace of Illusions
Divakaruni’s writing is pure magic for dreamers like us. You know how most stories give their characters a smooth ride to a happy ending? Well, not here! Divakaruni makes us earn that satisfaction, dragging us through every bump and bruise along the way. She introduces us to Draupadi, a girl with dreams just like ours. She wants to fall in love, have a fabulous palace, and live life on her terms.
But life’s not so simple for Draupadi. Just when she thinks she’s got it all figured out, life yanks the rug from under her. Picture this: she’s forced to marry not one but all five Pandava brothers. Yup, she’s shuffled between them like some kind of toy. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating all at once.
Although the story dances around the events of the Mahabharata, Divakaruni breathes new life into it with a fictional spin. Women back then were often sidelined, and Draupadi’s pain is palpable. As a woman, you cannot help but feel her pain and read her thoughts.
Here’s the kicker—even if you know how the Mahabharata goes, you’ll still find yourself rooting for Draupadi and Karna. Their chemistry is intense, and their longing for each other is gut-wrenching. Divakaruni blurs the lines between fiction and reality so well that you almost forget it’s all made up. Their brief interactions leave you clinging to hope and belief in love.
Draupadi isn’t perfect—she’s fiery and throws her fair share of tantrums. But that’s what makes her real and relatable. She’s a powerhouse, a beacon of strength for readers like us. No matter how many times life knocks her down, she gets back up, tired but determined.
Conclusion
Rating: 5 / 5
Recommendation: In a nutshell, this book is beautifully written and deserves all the praise. Trust me, you need to read this one.
About the Author
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an Indian-American author, poet, and the Betty and Gene McDavid Professor of Writing at the University of Houston Creative Writing Programme. She is a published author of 21 books, including Mistress of Spices, Sister of My Heart, Before We Visit the Goddess, Palace of Illusions, The Forest of Enchantments, and The Last Queen. She is also an activist and teacher.
Link to buy The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni:
Articles you might also like:
- List of 10 Best Indian Mythology Books | Favbookshelf
- Book Review: The Last Queen (Spoiler Free) – Favbookshelf
- Book Review: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (A Beautiful Read) | Favbookshelf
- Will you still love me? by Ravinder Singh Book Review
Videos you might also like:
- 10 Must-Read Fiction Books of All Time | Awesome Reads
- Ascension of the Phoenix Book Review | Action – Thriller
Have you read The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni? What did you like about it? Leave comments below. Indeed, we would love to know.
Are you an author or a publisher? If yes, then you must check our services for promotions and marketing. They will undoubtedly benefit you.
Disclosure: The Palace of Illusions book review is honest. Also, some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we recommend.
Contact Us:
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Us
Instagram: @fav_bookshelf
Let’s make your book shine!
Have a nice day ahead.🙂
