The Palace of Illusions (5/5★)

 

The Palace of Illusions

Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Genre: Mythology, Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5/5

Summary: 

The Palace of Illusions is a feminist retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, narrated from the perspective of Draupadi (Panchaali), the fiery and complex queen who played a pivotal role in the war of Kurukshetra. The novel explores her childhood, her deep bond with Krishna, her five marriages, and the emotional struggles she faces as a woman in a patriarchal world. Richly imaginative and beautifully written, the book offers a powerful voice to one of mythology’s most misunderstood characters.

My Thoughts: 

I really loved this book! I borrowed it from my cousin brother and ended up reading it in one sitting. I didn’t have much deep knowledge of the Mahabharata before, but this retelling was so interesting, emotional, and hard to put down. Draupadi’s perspective brought so much depth to the story. One scene that truly broke me was the vastraharan —it was heartbreaking and brought me to tears. The book made me feel so much, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in mythological fiction with strong emotional impact.