Thursday, January 8, 2015

Book Review: THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS

Book Review: THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS


I read this book in December, 2014. This novel, written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is a retelling of the epic "Mahabharata", but from a female perspective. I guess the epic, as it was written by a male and because of the fact that literature of any time is a reflection of the contemporary social system, lacks portrayal of female characters in detail. This novel portrays one of the leading female character, Draupadi. Draupadi herself is the narrator here and the novel depicts her emotions, her struggle, her life. It's HER story. Once you start, you can't put this book off, without finishing it. This mesmerizing tale of Paanchali is a must read for all, especially the women-folk.