I have read couple of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s books before and I remember not being able to appreciate her writing.
I picked up ‘Palace of Illusions’ as it was recommended by a friend in facebook. It is a novel idea of narrating ‘Mahabharata’, from Draupadi’s angle, a female perspective, with her as the protagonist. The book was fascinating.
I thought it is a very cleverly conceived project. Redefines Draupadi in a distinct, substantial manner. The author has stuck to the original stories of Mahabharata, but has added a dimension that scrutinizes all the characters and events. Made me pause and muse. It shatters the facile depiction of her marriage with the Pandavas, depicts the characters more as ‘real’ people with misgivings rather than as nonpareils. The author's portrayal of Draupadi’s attraction towards Karna in the book, I found interesting.
I feel the book stands testimony for how a change in frame of reference, executed well, can be captivating and make you see the same story in a different light.
I picked up ‘Palace of Illusions’ as it was recommended by a friend in facebook. It is a novel idea of narrating ‘Mahabharata’, from Draupadi’s angle, a female perspective, with her as the protagonist. The book was fascinating.
I thought it is a very cleverly conceived project. Redefines Draupadi in a distinct, substantial manner. The author has stuck to the original stories of Mahabharata, but has added a dimension that scrutinizes all the characters and events. Made me pause and muse. It shatters the facile depiction of her marriage with the Pandavas, depicts the characters more as ‘real’ people with misgivings rather than as nonpareils. The author's portrayal of Draupadi’s attraction towards Karna in the book, I found interesting.
I feel the book stands testimony for how a change in frame of reference, executed well, can be captivating and make you see the same story in a different light.
