The Palace of Illusions

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The Mahabharata as told from a woman’s point of view. This novel is narrated by Panchaali the wife of the legendary Pandavas brothers creating a new interpretation of this sacred text. Married to 5 husbands who have been cheated out of their inheritance, Panchaali with the spiritual help of her friend Krishna helps to reclaim her husband’s birthrights.

Some review of this very creative retelling of the Mahabharata

“The Palace of Illusions is a woman's look at crime and punishment, loyalty, promises and love and vengeance. With The Palace of Illusions, along with her other bestselling novels, Divakaruni has proven that her storytelling talents put her right up there with the best.” —The Miami Herald

”Divakaruni’s historic and transporting variation adds new and truly revelatory psychological and social dimensions to the great epic’s indelible story of sacrifice and spiritual awakening. Divakaruni has triumphantly fulfilled a profound mission.”— Donna Seaman, Booklist, Starred

"The Palace of Illusions is unique, amongst Divakaruni's very best. It is particularly refreshing to read an author who breaks the mold as clearly as Divakaruni does.. . . A creative, illuminating feminist work that compels us to re-examine the original text. . . . As in all great cathartic tales, Divakaruni's novel grasps our attention from beginning to end and is a healing, aesthetic experience." —India Currents

20% off hardcover price