The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

 The Palace of Illusions 

By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni 

Rating : 4/5 

Genre : Mythology,  Retelling, Historical, 

KRISHNA, Mahabharat. 

What I liked in the book? 

Chitra has really got herself under the skin of Draupadi,the princess of Kampilya, who would later become the cause of changing history, and also saw into the souls and intentions of other key players of Mahabharat with crystal clarity. Her play with words and concoctions have stirred me many a time when I was rushing to complete the pages.

 She gave a holistic perspective and definition to Mahabharat that I have not come across before - she started with Draupadi's childhood, her past times with her brother and Krishna while growing up, her marriage to the pandavas, her insult at the hands of kauravas,their journey to winning back the kingdom and eventual renunciation of everything to reach back to heaven. 

What I haven't liked in the book? 

While I accept that the author has a deeper and profound understanding of the tale of Mahabharat and superior insights into woman's hearts and natures, I also feel she has let her imagination and conception run a bit wilder than necessary here. She took some liberties and made some assumptions in designing the character of Draupadi, the main protagonist, that made me question if this indeed is the queen of Mahabharat?! 

Krishna is marginalized into playing a supporting role(until ofcourse it all changed at the end and it all comes back to her as she ruminates on her near death) which has bothered me a bit. Having read multiple versions of Mahabharat, I can positively state that his part seems to be deliberately diminished to highlight the many trials and tribulations of Draupadi. How did she get out of any of her troubles without him though, I wonder?! 

I never before imagined/doubted/pondered the nature of relationship between Draupadi and Kunti. I always naturally assumed it to be cordial and uneventful. But Chitra has envisioned it to be one filled with animosity, competition and each of the woman vying with the other to win over the affection of the five pandavas.. until after the war atleast!  I was okay with even bit of this indiscretion. But what took my breath away is Draupadi's pining and craving for Karna despite being married to the five pandavas and living a cozy and safe life with them. I couldn't digest this at all. What a tramp and loose character that would make Draupadi to be right?! Sure the author wanted Draupadi to bare her soul but not with shameless lies and shocking self deception right?!!! 

And someone who has no knowledge of Mahabharat - atleast the outline - can't get through most of this book. But I feel fortunate to not have had that excuse from sailing through it! 

It all makes sense in the end with this realization for Draupadi.