The Palace of Illusions

A woman's take on the timeless Hindu tale the Mahabharata , The Palace of Illusions transports us back to a time that is half-history, half-myth, and wholly magical. In this modern retelling, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni places Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, at the heart of the story. Mystical and epic, the narrative spans from Panchaali's fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy. The Palace of Illusions is a deeply human novel about a woman born into a man's world – a world of warriors, gods and the ever manipulating hands of fate. ‘A mythic tale brimming with warriors, magic and treachery’ – Los Angeles Times ‘A radiant entree into an ancient mythology . . . Charming and remarkable’ – Houston Chronicle ‘A woman’s look at crime and punishment, loyalty, promises, love and vengeance . . . With The Palace of Illusions , Divakaruni has proven that her storytelling talents put her right up there with the best’ – Miami Herald

A woman's take on the timeless Hindu tale the Mahabharata , The Palace of Illusions transports us back to a time that is half-history, half-myth, and wholly magical. In this modern retelling, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni places Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, at the heart of the story. Mystical and epic, the narrative spans from Panchaali's fiery birth and lonely childhood, where her beloved brother is her only true companion; through her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna; to marriage, motherhood and secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy. The Palace of Illusions is a deeply human novel about a woman born into a man's world – a world of warriors, gods and the ever manipulating hands of fate. ‘A mythic tale brimming with warriors, magic and treachery’ – Los Angeles Times ‘A radiant entree into an ancient mythology . . . Charming and remarkable’ – Houston Chronicle ‘A woman’s look at crime and punishment, loyalty, promises, love and vengeance . . . With The Palace of Illusions , Divakaruni has proven that her storytelling talents put her right up there with the best’ – Miami Herald

Taking us back to a time that is half history, half myth and wholly magical, bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives voice to Panchaali, the fire-born heroine of the Mahabharata, as she weaves a vibrant retelling of an ancient epic saga. Married to five royal husbands who have been cheated out of their father's kingdom, Panchaali aids their quest to reclaim their birthright, remaining at their side through years of exile and a terrible civil war. But she cannot deny her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna--or her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy--as she is caught up in the ever-manipulating hands of fate.

Taking us back to a time that is half history, half myth and wholly magical, bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives voice to Panchaali, the fire-born heroine of the Mahabharata, as she weaves a vibrant retelling of an ancient epic saga. Married to five royal husbands who have been cheated out of their father's kingdom, Panchaali aids their quest to reclaim their birthright, remaining at their side through years of exile and a terrible civil war. But she cannot deny her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna--or her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy--as she is caught up in the ever-manipulating hands of fate.