Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher: Picador India
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 361
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9780330458535
Description
"The Palace of Illusions" takes us back to a time that is half-history, half-myth, and wholly magical; narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, we are -- finally -- given a woman's take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharata
Tracing Panchaali's life -- from fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and Panchaali's secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy -- "The Palace of Illusions" is a deeply human novel about a woman born into a man's world -- a world of warriors, gods and the ever manipulating hands of fate.
'A mythic tale brimming with warriors, magic and treachery' " Los Angeles Times "
'A radiant entree into an ancient mythology . . . Charming and remarkable' "Houston Chronicle"
'A woman's look at crime and punishment, loyalty, promises, love and vengeance . . . With "The Palace of Illusions," Divakaruni has proven that her storytelling talents put her right up there with the best' "Miami Herald"
COMMENTS:
Simple, lucid, each word carefully considered as the heroine unfolds the different layers of the Mahabharat through conversations, stories and dreams.
--- India Today
Narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five pandava brothers, The Palace of Illusions finally gives a women’s take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharat. Tracing Panchaali’s life – from fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands’ most dangerous enemy – it’s a deeply human story about a woman born into a man’s world.
Read this poignantly told book for yourself. You won’t stand to hear Draupadi called a kritya even again
--- Hindustan Times
Divakaruni gives us a racy and romantic tale, the story of not just Draupadi and the god Krishna, but also of the most tragic hero in the wide whole – karna
--- Shekhar Kapur