The Palace of Illusions: A Novel Kindle Edition

This book largely succeeds at going through the "greatest hits" of the Mahabharat while focusing on the point of view of Draupadi/Panchaali. However, it fails at being a "feminist" take on the material. Virtually all of Draupadi's personality can be explained through her relationship to men: first her brother Dhri, then Karna "the one who got away," the Pandava brothers, and her "best friend" Krishna. Far from empowered, Draupadi is characterized as vindictive, materialistic, and shrewish; she never fails to find fault with the Pandavas even when they treat her well. In fact, it seems that she loves her "Palace of Illusions" (the namesake of the book) more than her own children! Her attraction to Karna is probably the worst aspect of the book; the subplot feels extremely forced, and her internal monologue is poorly-written. Even as an adult, Draupadi sounds like a teenager pining after a movie star.In contrast, the main highlight of the book is the portrayal of Krishna. He is shown to be a close friend, kind, and understanding, but also shrewd, wise, and mischievious. Draupadi's relationship with him is very well-written and interesting to read, and explores one of Hinduism's core philosophical concepts that one can have a personal relationship with the Divine. Overall, some familiarity with the source material of the Mahabharat is a must, otherwise you may not be able to follow the plot.

Revenge, flawed characters, complex relationships, illegitimate children, riches-to-rags, long drawn climax in the back drop of a war ... Mahabharata is indeed the consummate drama - universal and timeless. It is indeed my favorite epic of all times - the main reason I picked up Divakaruni's book. In the 70's I read the abridged version by Rajagopalachari; in the 80's I watched the soap opera style serialization on Indian National TV. Yet my most vivid memories of the epic trace back to my school days. When I was in the fourth grade, every day after I returned from school, my grandfather used to tell me the story of Mahabharata, which has left a indelible impression on my memory!First, I commend Divakaruni for attempting what she did - presenting the epic from the perspective of the strong yet off beat Draupadi. Personally I have always been fascinated by Karan (Karna) - noble and brave yet somehow flawed- whose life is a series of mis-steps and mishaps. This book made me realize that Draupadi's character is equally complex, her story equally rich in a contorted way.Divakaruni succeeds in drawing out the pathos and immersing the reader into the mind of Draupadi, the wife of five husbands! Resolute, manipulating, ill tempered - dusky Draupadi sounds and seems very real and more importantly succeeds in retaining the reader's sympathy despite her machinations! Even when some writing liberties are taken with respoect to the epic content, the result is not jarring. Some of the metaphors are novel. The irony of Draupadi's latent love for Karan while being married to his five brothers is very well captured with adequate attention given to the ancient times when depicting their encounters.Where Divakaruni falters is in telling too much too quickly - which gives the narrative a sense of rush - as if in a hurry to get to the end and over with it. Halfway into the book I started to feel the drama is somehow missing. Crisp scenes to depict the underlying conflict and showing the feelings of her husbands in interaction with Draupadi could have helped retain the dramatic quotient. While Draupadi's ephiphany at the end is along expected lines, it lacks the punch to make it memorable. In one of the most cruical scenes in the book, Draupadi is forewarned by Vyaasa of three situations when her reaction would get her in trouble. Yet, when these events happen, Draupadi's reflections are weak or non existent. A little disappointing that an opportunity for making a greater impact has been missed!

This was a beautiful story. The Mahabharata, an epic Indian poem, is told by Draupadi, a woman literally born from the flames. Draupadi, married to five brothers helps bring about the fall of he Third Age of Man. She relates the story of her life that began from flames to her rise to power as wife to five brothers, and then to her (and her brothers)final fate.Through Draupadi's voice we learn about the struggle between two powerful families - the Pandavas and Kauravas. Not only is the story highly interesting, but the are many beautful meditations on life, love, and vengeance.I read this book on my Kindle. The only bad part of the book was the family chart, which was hard to read. But once I really got involved in the story, I had little trouble keeping the charatcters straight. I found I really didn't need the chart that much. Someone else though might want to read a paper copy instead if they have trouble reading books with lots of characters.I highlighted and made notations on many passages from this book, because I found them to be very thought provoking. I now feel compelled to read an English translation of the Mahabharata.Here is one passage I thought was very wise: Draupadi wants to find a golden lotus and thinks to herself, "I knew that the remedy lay not in finding a new flower but in Krishna had advised me over and again: Let the past go. Be at ease. Allow the future to arrive at its own pace, unfurling its secrets when it will. I knew I should live the life that teemed around me: this clear air, this newborn sunlight, the simple comfort of the shawl around my shoulders." (Kindle locations 3110-16)In conclusion,this was a wonderful book. I give it 4 1/2 stars. This book was absolutely beautiful.

As the author is a woman, I have expected so much from the book that it will give a very new and refreshing perspective of the epic Mahabharata. The author has completely disappointed me. Draupadi is portrayed as impulsive, frivolous, disloyal and unloving of her husbands. She is even portrayed as the one who exploits the weaknesses of her husbands and as the one who leaves her children for vengeance. Nowhere in the book we find her strong and supportive. Moreover she is portrayed as the only one responsible for Kurukshetra war and all the destruction caused by the war. We don't find any of Draupadi's struggles and agonies. It is not at all "a woman's take" on the timeless tale. There were so many other authors who defamed Draupadi's character. We do not need to another author who does the same.Waste of time and money, don't read it.

Mahabharat as a story is well known but still there are books written even today with newer perspectives and interpretations. What makes this particular book stand out is the voice and the person who narrates it, Draupadi. While the story has been told from multiple angles before, this book attempts to explore the story from Draupadi’s perspective, who is believed to be one of the strongest woman in Indian mythology.The book starts from Draupadi’s childhood from the times she was a kid in her father’s palace to marrying the five Pandavas, living in Hastinapur and then building her own palace — the Mayasabha/Indraprastha/Palace of Illusions to getting humiliated in Hastinapur to living in the jungles for twelve years to the final war in Kurukshetra. The book chronicles her dreams, her rebellion, her choices and how she turns into a major reason for the war.While readers of Indian mythology would have always wondered what were the reasons that made Draupadi take those decisions, which are believed to have changed the course of Mahabharat, the author makes a bold attempt to give a voice for that imagination. While mythological fiction is a risky proposition with fiction and well knows stories contradicting each other, this book also takes a similar route to take reader along with Panchaali’s journey.Draupadi’s reaction and feelings towards Karna through out the book are something to watch out as there is very less footage for this relation in other books around this topic. Also, would have liked to see more of Draupadi’s relationship with Nakul and Sahadev, as the book centers around the other three Pandavas only.The book stays true to the intensity and depth required and is completely engaging from start to end. If you are intrigued by Draupadi as a person or by Mahabharat as a whole, this retelling should not be missed.

I don't have any idea of what Mahabharata is all about. Since this is a very good rating book I bought this and I am really happy to have this book with me. This book is written from the view of Draupati. Being married to 5 men she has narrated her feelings her joys and sorrows very well.One thing which I felt as a disadvantage of this book is, this book has so many new words which is difficult for beginners like me. Other than that it's an epic.

Found it very disappointing. I bought this book thinking it would be female prospective of Draupadi's struggles, but it is just another book of same Mahabharat , even Ramanand Sagar has portrayed Draupadi as a very strong and brave character, who fights for injustices on her. This book is just another in line to defame her, how being a woman herself writer can justify all unjust done on Draupadi was because of her own deeds? How could she not able to describe a single pain what Draupadi must have gone when humiliated infront of shaba( not in the morden day I can imagine,) As a mother she must have suffered when she had to leave her children behind.How could she simply describe it was all because of Draupadi's arrogance and her vanity? There are so many stories in Mahabharat that shows how dedicated she was for her husbands, for her mother-in-law, I really felt let down by the writer. Waste of money and time.

It's a well-written book and such an interesting idea to narrate from one of the more enigmatic characters of the Mahabharat. The legends have been well-researched, and there is a romantic poignancy that is heartbreaking to read. Having grown up with these stories myself, I can't help but think Chitra missed the mark a bit with the whole 'Karna-longing' parts. In addition, Chitra flakes over the religious subtext almost as if she fears any association with the religion of Hinduism. Instead, Chitra favours the 'magical' approach that gives this a fairy-tale read. Her one-dimensional portrayal of the Pandavas does not help either. I think this deprives the story of that core, spiritual component, and why an otherwise good book loses a star.