|
The Palace of Illusions: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher: Doubleday
Category: Book
List Price: $23.95
Buy Used: $11.49
You Save: $12.46 (52%)
New (29) Used (11) from $11.49
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 33264
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.5
ISBN: 0385515995
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385515993
ASIN: 0385515995
Publication Date: February 12, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: In Jacket.
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A reimagining of the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat—told from the point of view of an amazing woman.
Relevant to today’s war-torn world, 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 legendary Pandavas brothers in the Mahabharat, the novel gives us a new interpretation of this ancient tale.
The novel traces the princess Panchaali's life, beginning with her birth in fire and following her spirited balancing act as a woman with five husbands who have been cheated out of their father’s kingdom. Panchaali is swept into their quest to reclaim their birthright, remaining at their side through years of exile and a terrible civil war involving all the important kings of India. Meanwhile, we never lose sight of her strategic duels with her mother-in-law, her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna, or her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy. Panchaali is a fiery female redefining for us a world of warriors, gods, and the ever-manipulating hands of fate.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
A retelling of the epic poem the Mahabharat February 24, 2008
Ratmammy (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Rating: 4/5 stars
February 23, 2008
For fans of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS is quite a departure from her previous novels. In her most current work, Divakaruni attempts to take the tale of the Mahabharat, the longest epic poem in history, and rewrites it so that the focus is now on the woman that played a large part in this epic tale. Panchaali, the woman who is fated to marry five men of royal birth, tells the story of her life and how she and her marriage changes the course of history.
The story starts with Panchaali's childhood, which is not one that was typical in her day. She manages to get an education alongside her brother, although it is forbidden for girls to go to school, and she learns the ways of War and other important topics needed to rule a kingdom.
When a wise man comes to her and tells her that she will eventually marry five brothers and be the cause of a Great War, Panchaali of course does not believe it. But as one by one the prophecies come true, Panchaali knows that her life has been fated to end in tragedy.
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS is the epic tale of a woman who finds herself to be the catalyst of a war that will change the lives of many in ancient India. One may want to compare this tale to the likes of Homer's famous epics, with Indian gods and royalty living as one. It's also a tale of love and passion, with a strong emphasis on tragedy. I found that this was not an easy read, but when I finally reached the end of the story, I had a sense of satisfaction at having read such an admirable piece of writing.
 I enjoyed it immensely February 25, 2008
Fikus Tree (Texas)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
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.
A classic myth gets a new fresh look in The Palace of Illusions March 15, 2008
Rebecca Huston (On the Banks of the Hudson)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
When I was a child, there was a book in the school's library that enchanted me -- The Five Sons of King Pandu by Elizabeth Seeger. A simplified retelling of the massive Indian classic, The Mahabharata, it centers mostly around the stories of five brothers, semi-divine beings who go literally from rags to riches to enlightenment to the sound of battles and heroic deeds.
And even more central to the story is of the remarkable Draupadi, the exquisite princess who becomes the wife of the five brothers -- all at the same time. But along with the Pandavas, Draupadi also acquires Kunti, her demanding, bitter mother-in-law. Chitra Benerjee Divakaruni takes this story, and by telling it through the eyes of Draupadi, gives it all a unique spin.
For Draupadi -- or Panchaali, as she also named -- is also the product of a magical birth. Born in the flames of a fire, she and her twin brother, Dhristadyumna, destined to fulfill their father's terrible thirst for revenge against his sworn brother, Drona. There is also their cousin, Krishna, dark-skinned and irresistible to both men and women, and who seemingly can't give a straight answer without a riddle attached. Draupadi finds herself longing for a marriage to a brave prince, who will make her a dazzling queen in her own palace -- but when a fortune-teller prophecies that not only will she have just that, but also bring about the end of the Third Age of Man, Draupadi starts to suspect that having exactly what she wants may not be the same as wanting it. For when the contest is held to pick her husband-to-be, not only is she a contested prize, but she meets someone that will change her life forever... and change the course of the great civil war that is to come.
I have to say, this is quite a novel. There are magical weapons, conflict, lust, jealousy, anger, but also heroism, justice, and most of all, love. While I was already familiar with the story, there were enough new elements there to keep the tale fresh and revealing. And Draupadi is quite different than just about any other princess in literature -- instead of being a passive player, here she is the prime cause of the Pandavas' deadly feud towards their cousins, the treacherous Kauravas, and how they avenge her humiliation and degradation at their hands. She's also prideful, arrogant, and downright b!tchy in spots, not afraid to harangue her husbands, and even long for a man who has a secret that will change everything -- if he dares to do so.
In fact, I found the character of Karna, a brilliant and honorable warrior, who is more kingly than those born to the role, the most interesting one in the book. Despite that there isn't much in the book that has him as a player in the story, he is throughout the story, and the frustrated desire of Draupadi that is never hinted at in public, but colours nearly all of her actions and thoughts.
For anyone who is interested in the myths and legends of India, this is a must-read. Divakaruni's writing is brisk and imaginative, delving into the innermost thoughts of Draupadi, and making her a very believable and human character. While keeping track of all of the various characters and their rather intricate names can be a bit of a chore, the author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of all of the characters and a family tree to keep everyone straight. Unusually, the author's note is at the beginning of the book, rather than at the end, and she discusses her reasons for writing this story.
All in all, this was a very good novel, full of surprises and insights, and moved very quickly. For those who are looking for something unusual, this one should fit the bill quite nicely.
Four and a half stars, rounded off to four. Recommended.
The Palace of Illusions
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
2008; Doubleday Books
ISBN 978-0-385-51599-3
Divakaruni's best work yet February 25, 2008
Bookreporter.com (New York, New York)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS is a retelling of the Mahabharat, one of the longest epic poems in history, and takes place between 5000 and 6000 BCE. The novel is populated by kings, queens and deities of ancient Indian mythology, spanning decades and revolving around Panchaali, a princess who is forced to marry five men. The story is told from her point of view, and through her we learn of her birth, her childhood and her eventual marriages to the Pandava brothers.
As a child, Panchaali is a willful girl who finds ways to learn things that only boys are taught in school. Rather than sitting at home and being a wife and mother, she yearns for the life that males are granted because of their gender. Panchaali wants to be taught the ways of men and how they acquire power, and she learns all she can from her brother (with whom she is very close) and his teacher.
A sage tells Panchaali early in life that she will end up marrying five men and that she will be the reason for the start of a great war, which will destroy the "Third Age of Man." Panchaali doesn't believe this at first, but as the prophecies come true one by one, she admits that the wise sage was right and realizes that her life will not be an easy one.
Women are strong characters in this version of the tale and take center stage. Along with the charismatic Panchaali, readers are introduced to the formidable Kunti, Panchaali's mother-in-law, who is doing what she can to make her daughter-in-law's life miserable. The two clash often throughout most of their lives, but there will come a time when they finally will see eye to eye.
A continuing thread in the story is Panchaali's friendship with Krishna, the one person in her life who she constantly relies on for companionship and advice. Even during her marriage to the five brothers, Krishna is still there for her --- if not physically, then in spirit. She doesn't realize how much she loves him until it's too late.
Panchaali's secret passion, however, is for Karna, the man she rejected initially on her wedding day. Her love for him consumes her, for now she cannot have him. When she learns of a secret that involves him and her mother-in-law, it is all she can do to keep from revealing it to her husbands. Still, no matter how angry she is with Karna or how much he hates her for rejecting him, her passion for him smolders until the day she dies.
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS spans a lifetime --- from Panchaali and her brother's childhood, to her marriage to the five Pandava brothers, to the great war and their downfall. It is as grand and tragic as the epic poems by Homer. The story is complex, as political relationships grow and develop, and friends and enemies are created, leading to battles and wars that will eventually destroy them all. While I personally didn't connect with the political themes of the novel, I was captivated by the tragic storyline and the fate into which Panchaali was born. This admirable attempt to recreate the epic Mahabharat from the viewpoint of a strong woman is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's best work yet.
--- Reviewed by Marie Hashima Lofton (Ratmammy@lofton.org)
 My Disillusionment with The Palace May 27, 2008
Nancy Martin (Pennsylvania, (orig. NY))
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
I almost feel as if I must apologize to the other reviewers for not enjoying this book, as I can see that I'm definitely in the minority here. I guess I should explain by saying that I don't really like books that are not reality based and force the reader to suspend their beliefs and go along with stories about magic and semi-divine beings and Gods and babies born from fire, as opposed to women, and any other kind of mystical mythology. It's just not for me. You're probably wondering why, then, did I read this book? The answer is quite simple. I am a big fan of this author, having loved Sister of My Heart and The Vine of Desire, so I bought this book never even taking the time to read the book jacket description.
I would think, however, that if you are someone who was brought up hearing the stories of the five brothers, known as the Pandavas, who were the sons of King Pandu and his wife Kunti, and the woman who was married to all of them, then you would be mesmerized by this story told though the eyes of the wife Panchaali. For me, who knows nothing of the
epic Indian classic, The Mahabharata, from which this book is derived, I found myself lost at times. For the most part, I couldn't keep track of the characters, and who was on whose side, because some of the names were so similar. And then you have cousins fighting cousins and brothers fighting brothers with one grandfather at the helm, and that made it even more confusing for me.
I'm sad to say that I was so happy when I finished the last page but please don't let this stop anyone who loves books steeped in mythology. If this is the case, this book might just be right for you.
|
|
|
|
| |
