The Palace of Illusions

I just recently finished reading "Palace of Illusions" and I have to say that I think this is my favorite (so far) of all the books that have been authored by Chitra B. Divakaruni. The style and tone of the story is completely unlike any of her previous works. I finished the book in 2 days (after having worked all day and taking care of my kids in the evenings!!)....I had circles and bags under my eyes from two sleepless nights but I could not rest until I got to the ending! Being of Indian origin but born and raised in the U.S. [otherwise known as an "ABCD"-American Born, Confused Desi(or person with ties to India)], I have never read the Mahabharata in it's original form but knew the basics of it by reading the Indian comic series called "Amar Chitra Katha" as a child, as well as watching rented videos with my parents as a teenager of the famous television series of the same name that was produced in India. Reading the book triggered so many buried memories of the stories from the Mahabharata. This book reminded me so much of the book "Wicked," which is the story of Wizard of Oz from the witch's perspective...as well as the childrens' movie that came out a few years ago, "Hoodwinked," which is the story of Little Red Riding Hood retold from the Fox's perspective. Reading this book has certainly made me (as well as my other ABCD friends) want to read not only the Mahabharat but also the other famous epic, Ramayana....(although, I have been reminded of the equally famous superstition - It is believed in India that women who read the Mahabharata in its original form will invite "Mahabharat" (i.e. high-stakes family politics/drama) in their own homes - I'm debating whether or not I want to challenge that superstition!). I am curious to know how traditionalists/purists have received your story, since it is Draupadi-centric and has an underlying "forbidden love" story that is present through-out - but I LOVED it!!

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's new book `The Palace of Illusions' may elicit a variety of responses from its readers based mainly on their background, understanding and loyalty to Indian epics rather than their standing as mere critics of a novel. As one who grew up with Hindu religious stories inculcated into me and as the legend of Mahabharatha with its heroes and villains influenced even my mental make up, this book was fascinating with its approach and narration from a totally novel perspective. If one is willing to respect the imaginative freedom of the writer and is not offended by the blasphemic obsession of deviating from the revered way they knew these epical stories, this book provides a pleasant treat and a fresh revelation. One should wonder why no one ever bothered to view the story from the viewpoint of the most important character of the chronicle, that of Panchali. As I felt eager to be acquainted with Panchali as a human being and grew sympathetic to her tribulations, the book steered me to identify and appreciate her role from a humanistic point of view. The characters of Karna and Dhri, Bhima and Bheeshma became more realistic than mythical. The rivalry between Kunti and Panchali, and the jealousy felt by Drowpadi against Subhadra could be associated to real relationships. The lingering infatuation of Panchali towards Karna, her cherished trip with Bheeshma, the special friendship with Krishna and the way Bhima loved her, were all new revelations to me. I did not know that Duryodhan's wife was Bhanumati, that Kunti did not believe in using spices nor Nal and Damayanti lived before Mahabharta time. I could sense and empathize with Panchali's agony of guilt being the most responsible one for the war of Kurukshetra. I adore Divakaruni's style of writing; `too-soft carpets that sucked at my ankles', `when you share a man's pillow, his dreams seep into you', `sorrow could not touch it any more than rust could inhabit pure steel'; delightfully different and delicious! "We rise; the shapes cluster around us in welcome, dissolving and forming and dissolving again as fireflies in a summer evening". Excellent, enjoyable reading. The old story told from a different angle and in an exquisite style.

After discovering Divakaruni when someone gave me Arranged Marriage as a gift, I sequentially read her books and she could do no wrong. Then I read Sister of my Heart and I was sad at the disappointment from another author I regarded so highly. I decided to take a chance with this new book Palace of Illusions. She has recaptured the magic I remember from Mistress of Spices! I grew up on the stories from Mahabharat and I watched the epic televised on TV as did most other indians. And thru it all I wanted to know more about Panchaali. This book is fantastic because it provides insight into an often over looked character and portrays her with incredible depth.

I enjoyed the novel while I was reading it, and I've kept thinking on it since I finished reading it. Scenes keep coming to me, the ones that made me happy and the ones that made me sad. I'm also still puzzling out a few things. Banerjee Divakaruni's books Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire were the first novels I read about India and people from India. Since then, I've read and loved Indu Sundaresan's novels, and her latest, The Splendor of Silence, stayed with me the way The Palace of Illusions has. They're all lovely to read and great ways to escape the mundaneness that can set in to "normal" lives. Open your mind and give this book a try!

First I think it is important to mention that I have never read the Mahabharata on which "The Palace of Illusions in Based". I have read various Indian short stories, myths, and teachings including several translations of the Yoga Sutras. I was always intimidated by the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita because they are written in verse which to me is easier to listen to then read. They are also predominantly about war and battles which is generally not an interest not something I enjoy reading about. I was attracted to Illusion both because it was a retelling of the story which I knew wouldn't focus on battles and from the perspective of the female characters in the book. I know that many will scoff at the idea of this but I feel completely encouraged now to read both Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita because now I will have a context to put them in and an easier time reading the verse. Reading this book was similar to reading "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West". The story is told from the point of view of Panchaali and she narrates the story starting when she is very young. Whole chapters have other characters telling stories that Panchaali is not involved in as a dialogue between herself and other characters. I especially enjoyed this technique in an early chapter when she and her brother Dhri go back and forth about how their father's generation got into their current problems. Her nanny tells her the story of her birth through fire and other stories come along the way. For the most part Panchaali talks about what she is experiencing and how she feels about things. She starts with very child-like ideas but as the story progresses some depth is acquired. Overall I loved the story. I was able to keep the many characters straight with no problem even though there was as many as Anna Karenina and only consulted the family tree at the beginning a couple times. I grew to love many of the characters and was really repelled by others. The story moved at a great pace and I stayed up late reading because it was so exciting. I think many people would really love this book. If you are interested in mythology or Indian History but intimidated by the classic works I highly recommend this book and Ganesha Goes to Lunch. Both are re-tellings of these ancient stories in modern language. I also think that fans of Wicked and the whole genre of seeing an old story from another point of view would really enjoy this book. Finally, I don't think it is at all out of reach for young adults. As a young person I would have adored this book. It was really wonderful, filled with magic, gods, and learning.