The Palace of Illusions (10th Anniversary Edition) Hardcover – 1 Jan. 2018

Beautifully written from the perspective of Draupadi. I was hooked onto it from the start. A fascinating and worthy read.

Enjoy this book , was very easy read , lots of ups and downs and twists. Bit hard remembering who’s who but didn’t matter too much

Uncover the hidden truths as you immerse yourself in Draupadi’s narrative—a perspective so raw and vivid, it will redefine the epic for you.How often do we miss the heartbeat beneath the surface of the tales we thought we knew? A masterful author doesn’t just tell a story; they reveal secrets of the soul, illuminating paths previously unseen, empowering us to see beyond the ordinary.As you turn each page, you’re not merely reading; you’re being called to pause, to reflect, to challenge the very core of your understanding. This isn’t just a good book; it transcends the boundaries of greatness.It has claimed the pinnacle of my fiction favorites, yet to label it mere ‘fiction’ seems almost a disservice—such is the depth of thought woven throughout its pages.What a breathtaking journey this has been!

As a student of yoga and having read a number of translations of the Bhagavad Gita, I found this a welcome respite from the academic exploration of the spiritual texts. A novel based on the viewpoint of Draupadi (who was married to the 5 Pandu brothers) and written from her experience. Whilst purely fiction, it is an interesting read, giving some insight to the life and society of women in ancient India. If you are deep in your studies and want some light relief that will also broaden your mind regarding the events of the time, this is an interesting distraction.

Having accidently come across this book I was truly amazed that this book did not get more publicity. It is so well conceptualised and written that it almost qualifies to be a classic. The book humanises the characters of Mahabharata and succeeds in bringing them to life. Reading it I found myself transported to the Mahabharata era and was saddened when the book ended. Thank you for the treat Chitra Divakaruni.

It's a well-written book and such an interesting idea to narrate from one of the more enigmatic characters of the Mahabharat. The legends have been well-researched, and there is a romantic poignancy that is heartbreaking to read. Having grown up with these stories myself, I can't help but think Chitra missed the mark a bit with the whole 'Karna-longing' parts. In addition, Chitra flakes over the religious subtext almost as if she fears any association with the religion of Hinduism. Instead, Chitra favours the 'magical' approach that gives this a fairy-tale read. Her one-dimensional portrayal of the Pandavas does not help either. I think this deprives the story of that core, spiritual component, and why an otherwise good book loses a star.

I was utterly drawn in to the world described in the pages of this unassuming novel.I love books about India but this is a modern take on a very ancient story written from a female perspective.I cannot rate it highly enough. At first thought, as i bought it on a recommendation it would appear to be quite fantastical and this did not appeal to me as i like very dark urban fiction if i am reading that sort of thing. However it is not as fairytale like as the write ups make it out to be. It is the tale of one woman and how her life is shaped by her not taking heed of 3 warnings given to her early on in her life as she longs to be a woman and a wife.This will remain on my bookshelf and I will re read it - i wanted to know what happened but was saddened that I had finished it !! So i ordered more from the same author.Excellent book in my opinion if you like Indian culture and history

Disappointed with the condition of the book, however cannot fault the story, a great read!

I just got this book, just started reading it and already in love with it. I wont take me long to finish reading this.

Wow! This book is just fantastic. I couldn’t put it down. Draupadi’s character is everything- strong, beautiful but also flawed. Her’s and Krishna’s relationship one of the most beautifully described relationship. Must read.

The book quality is good .But the story is quite striking.You are gonna get some of the new perspective explained well from the author's eye.Well written and something old yet written thinking draupadi's perspective.Her childhood, adulthood and little details about her life .It's a fiction book so some points are exaggerated I think like draupadi's attraction towards karna and vice a versa ...but a good read tbh .I enjoyed reading it .

Good book

Good quality and on time