The Palace of Illusions

The Palace of Illusions takes us back to a time that is half-history, half-myth, and wholly magical; narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, we are -- finally -- given a woman's take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharata

Tracing Panchaali's life -- from 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 Panchaali's 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

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s books include the bestselling novels The Mistress of Spices (longlisted for the Orange Prize), Queen of Dreams and Sister of My Heart, the prizewinning story collections Arranged Marriage and The Unknown Errors of Our Lives, and the ‘Conch Bearer’ series for children. She teaches creative writing at the University of Houston and divides her time between Houston and the San Francisco Bay area.

Be taken back to a time that is half-history, half-myth, and wholly magical . . . Narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, The Palace of Illusions finally gives a woman's take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharata. Tracing Panchaali's life from 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 her secret attraction to the mysterious man who is her husbands' most dangerous enemy, it's a deeply human story about a woman born into a man's world. Praise for Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: 'A dazzling tale of misbegotten dreams and desires, woven with poetry and story teller magic' AMY TAN on T he Mistress of Spices 'Divakaruni is a brilliant storyteller; she illuminates the world with her artistry, and shakes the reader with her love' JUNOT DIAZ on The Vine of Desire

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