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meghaha's review against another edition
4.0
Oh no, I really procrastinated writing this review-- it's been a month since I finished The Palace of Illusions. I really need to go back to writing reviews right after finishing a book, as my memory is so poor I really can't get away with waiting so long.
I have an intense and special love for retellings of myths, fables, and fairy tales, so of course I liked The Palace of Illusions , which retells the Mahabharata from the viewpoint of Draupadi (Panchaali). Initially, I almost put off reading this novel because I knew nothing about the story of the Mahabharata or the Bhagavad Gita and I wondered if I should learn more about the original first or even attempt to read it. Then I realized that is not how my introduction to Grimm's Fairy Tales, the Greek myths, King Arthur, or Hans Christian Anderson's stories went: I watched the Disney movies first, or had the picture books. So that's something I should keep in mind: that I shouldn't postpone exposure to a retelling solely because I don't know the original. In fact, retellings may be the best way to get into the source material.
The latest ancient text I've read is The Iliad, and I know while reading it, I was wishing more was said of the women's stories and their viewpoints. I'm not sure how much the original Mahabharata focuses on Draupadi or women's stories in general but it's more than a bit likely it's unbalanced like The Iliad in this respect. I have the suspicion if I ever do read it I'd be more interested in tales outside the warrior narrative. So I really appreciate that Divakaruni chose Draupadi as her main character, not Arjuna.
Reading The Palace of Illusions also got me thinking the boat has already sailed as far as imprinting my consciousness from a young age with myths and fairy tales of non-European origin. If I want to retell a story I'm drawn to Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Pysche, et al -- variations and inspirations from them are latched firmly in my mind. What do I have in terms of diversity of fairy-tale narratives other than Arabian Nights? I feel a bit of loss that somehow I never read any variation of Journey to the West as a kid (actually as an adult I still don't know the story!).
What to make of this? I think it comes down to well-illustrated, well-compiled storybooks of anything but Grimm or the Greeks being harder to access. Maybe there's 20 copies in the library of them but only one or two of other story compilations. I mean, I remember I never did find an appealing Norse storybook at the library, so I think unless you are actively looking for something besides Grimm's, Anderson's, and Greek stories, it's quite difficult to just casually stumble into anything but them, let alone a diverse reading list. It takes conscious effort and curating to read diversely and this isn't something you think about as a child. I can't reach back in time to shove a books at younger me that retell stories from a wider base of cultures and I feel that loss. I suppose the only remedy is to keep trying to read more widely now, but I do doubt I can imprint these stories into my being as fiercely. I guess it is what it is. And it's not that I don't love Grimm's or the Greek myths; it's that I maybe love them too much, too singularly.
I know this has turned into a bit of an aside and I've barely talked about the contents of this novel, but this is what The Palace of Illusions got me thinking about.
I have an intense and special love for retellings of myths, fables, and fairy tales, so of course I liked The Palace of Illusions , which retells the Mahabharata from the viewpoint of Draupadi (Panchaali). Initially, I almost put off reading this novel because I knew nothing about the story of the Mahabharata or the Bhagavad Gita and I wondered if I should learn more about the original first or even attempt to read it. Then I realized that is not how my introduction to Grimm's Fairy Tales, the Greek myths, King Arthur, or Hans Christian Anderson's stories went: I watched the Disney movies first, or had the picture books. So that's something I should keep in mind: that I shouldn't postpone exposure to a retelling solely because I don't know the original. In fact, retellings may be the best way to get into the source material.
The latest ancient text I've read is The Iliad, and I know while reading it, I was wishing more was said of the women's stories and their viewpoints. I'm not sure how much the original Mahabharata focuses on Draupadi or women's stories in general but it's more than a bit likely it's unbalanced like The Iliad in this respect. I have the suspicion if I ever do read it I'd be more interested in tales outside the warrior narrative. So I really appreciate that Divakaruni chose Draupadi as her main character, not Arjuna.
Reading The Palace of Illusions also got me thinking the boat has already sailed as far as imprinting my consciousness from a young age with myths and fairy tales of non-European origin. If I want to retell a story I'm drawn to Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Pysche, et al -- variations and inspirations from them are latched firmly in my mind. What do I have in terms of diversity of fairy-tale narratives other than Arabian Nights? I feel a bit of loss that somehow I never read any variation of Journey to the West as a kid (actually as an adult I still don't know the story!).
What to make of this? I think it comes down to well-illustrated, well-compiled storybooks of anything but Grimm or the Greeks being harder to access. Maybe there's 20 copies in the library of them but only one or two of other story compilations. I mean, I remember I never did find an appealing Norse storybook at the library, so I think unless you are actively looking for something besides Grimm's, Anderson's, and Greek stories, it's quite difficult to just casually stumble into anything but them, let alone a diverse reading list. It takes conscious effort and curating to read diversely and this isn't something you think about as a child. I can't reach back in time to shove a books at younger me that retell stories from a wider base of cultures and I feel that loss. I suppose the only remedy is to keep trying to read more widely now, but I do doubt I can imprint these stories into my being as fiercely. I guess it is what it is. And it's not that I don't love Grimm's or the Greek myths; it's that I maybe love them too much, too singularly.
I know this has turned into a bit of an aside and I've barely talked about the contents of this novel, but this is what The Palace of Illusions got me thinking about.
books_over_series's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bhavya_is_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aayushi234's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aryaag's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 3.5/5; with most of the book being normal, accentuated by peaks of intense writing and emotion. Through most of it, it's the subtle foreboding sense of doom that keeps us going, until the third act, when doom is upon us. And when the time comes, the author tugs at all the right emotional chords with her choice of words and raw emotion, making the journey through the book worth it. It's definitely a refreshing retelling of a much retold story. Though one (small?) complaint with the story would be its reliance on the reader's prior knowledge of the original material, lacking which, many of the nuanced deviations this book makes are lose their lustre.
booksreadbydeepti's review against another edition
5.0
Book 41 of 2023 - The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Devakaruni - An out of world spiritual experience
I have always been interested in mythology, but whenever I picked up a book of the genre, something didn't always click. I got this book, in Connaught Place in Delhi, while roaming around with fellow bookclub friends Saumya, Akanksha and Yogita. We were just browsing without any intention of purchasing, and lo behold found this, and for some curious reason started reading immediately after my trip.
I won't go into the story much, as it is based on truth, so I can't really comment on the writing style or plot. It feels weird to do that. I would rather share my experience. This book was something. It was like an ocean just gushing through you, as you keep reading, I felt really connected to Draupadi, Karna & Krishna, not really the rest as there was a definite disconnect, not because of the story per se, but I guess these characters felt more human than others.
I read it like an introspective book. I have always been sensitive to certain things due to my past experiences, but reading this book took it to another level. The connection was so strong, that I felt I was healing as I kept going and it didn't stop. I felt like talking about it a lot too, so I kept on discussing it with a fellow mythology book reader whom I bugged a lot lol.
I had to put it down for sometime as it was getting too intense and had other commitments, but this book kept pulling me - It felt different, but even though I was reading about war and chaos, the healing continued. The last chapter was really special. I will never forget that chapter.
In the end, I feel happy, at peace, at least some things which were bugging me settled down. I will always remember this book. It was a true spiritual experience. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in self introspection, because the book is definitely not just about mythology, at least for me *wink*.
I have always been interested in mythology, but whenever I picked up a book of the genre, something didn't always click. I got this book, in Connaught Place in Delhi, while roaming around with fellow bookclub friends Saumya, Akanksha and Yogita. We were just browsing without any intention of purchasing, and lo behold found this, and for some curious reason started reading immediately after my trip.
I won't go into the story much, as it is based on truth, so I can't really comment on the writing style or plot. It feels weird to do that. I would rather share my experience. This book was something. It was like an ocean just gushing through you, as you keep reading, I felt really connected to Draupadi, Karna & Krishna, not really the rest as there was a definite disconnect, not because of the story per se, but I guess these characters felt more human than others.
I read it like an introspective book. I have always been sensitive to certain things due to my past experiences, but reading this book took it to another level. The connection was so strong, that I felt I was healing as I kept going and it didn't stop. I felt like talking about it a lot too, so I kept on discussing it with a fellow mythology book reader whom I bugged a lot lol.
I had to put it down for sometime as it was getting too intense and had other commitments, but this book kept pulling me - It felt different, but even though I was reading about war and chaos, the healing continued. The last chapter was really special. I will never forget that chapter.
In the end, I feel happy, at peace, at least some things which were bugging me settled down. I will always remember this book. It was a true spiritual experience. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in self introspection, because the book is definitely not just about mythology, at least for me *wink*.
serinde4books's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty hard read for me. I couldn’t keep the characters straight and I didn’t like the main character. The story felt like a dragged on forever, and there was never any movement, or at least not really any action to help me feel like the story moved along. It was a very slow read for me.
simmykapoor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book made my heart ache and had me in tears on the train. My whole life I have read the Mahabharata through a male perspective, and didn’t really show it any love. This book is one of the most beautifully written retellings I ever read and it made me feel things for the characters that I have never cared to do before. Chitra is able to paint such vivid, clear images for her readers, it felt like I was a part of the Mahabharata, like I was on that battlefield and with her the whole way. I can’t wait to read her other works. She really gave Draupadi a new lease of life for most children only ever knew her for her never-ending sari.