The Palace of Illusions - By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

“You will question my actions. But then, that is the nature of stories, isn’t it? The truth often lies beneath layers of what we call the truth.”

The Palace of Illusions is a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, told from the point of view of Draupadi—a strong and complex queen who usually stays in the background of the original story. In this book, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives Draupadi a voice and lets us see her thoughts, feelings, and struggles.

The story follows Draupadi from her magical birth from fire, to her marriage to the five Pandava brothers, and through the big war that changed everything. What makes this book special is how it shows Draupadi not just as a character from mythology, but as a real woman—curious, intelligent, emotional, and strong.

What I liked most was how unexpected it was. The author begins with the idea that Draupadi should have chosen Karna—a bold twist that gives the story a fresh angle. Their imagined connection brings emotional depth and adds a dream-like feel to the book. It makes you think about how things could have been different.

Krishna’s presence in the book at each step is like a sweet surprise—wise, calming, and magical.

The author also shows parts of Draupadi’s emotions that are usually hidden in traditional stories—like her anger, desires, and deep inner thoughts. These parts are rarely shown when it comes to female characters in myths. But here, they are open and honest. And maybe, just maybe, some of it could have really happened!

The writing is rich and beautiful, but still easy to read. The book brings old history to life in a modern way and explores themes like power, love, revenge, fate, and identity with a refreshing take.

In the end, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys mythology, strong women characters, and emotional storytelling. It helps you see the Mahabharata in a new light—through Draupadi’s heart, dreams, and strength.

Here’s an amazing quote from the book- “If I am remembered at all, let it not be as a victim. Let it be as a woman who dared to ask, to desire, to choose.”

AS: Happy Reading! 😀

Comments

Madhushala - By Harivansh Rai Bachchan

“Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, kshan-bhar jeevan — mera parichay.” I think most of us have heard of Madhushala since childhood — though many may not have actually read it. I remember watching Amitabh Bachchan recite its verses on award shows, reality shows, and even on KBC. A few years ago, I finally decided to pick up a copy for myself, and to my surprise, I realised it might be the longest poem I’ve ever read — or will ever read. A true gem of Indian literature, Madhushala has 135 verses, each one as thoughtful as the next. Recently, while looking for another book on my shelf, I came across it again, read through a few pages, and felt like sharing it here. Madhushala is one of the most celebrated works in Hindi poetry, written by the legendary Harivansh Rai Bachchan. While it speaks of wine, taverns, and cups, it is not about drinking in the literal sense. These are thoughtful metaphors used to reflect on life, emotions, struggles, and dreams. For Indian readers, Madhushala holds a spe...

The Rudest Book Ever - By Shwetabh Gangwar

He argues: Many people have kids not because they are ready, but because society tells them “that’s what you do,” or because they believe a baby will suddenly make life happy and perfect. He’s clear—bringing a child into the world just to fix your own problems or to fit in is unfair to the child. His main message is simple: a child isn’t your happiness button, it’s a huge responsibility that deserves serious thought. Shwetabh uses this example to show how people often make life’s biggest choices without really thinking. I am not a fan of any self-help books, but this one surprised me with its style, and I came to know later that the genre is self help book; otherwise I might not have picked up! The book feels like a wake-up call. Author’s blunt, direct way of writing grabs your attention. He talks on topics like rejection, self-worth, avoiding society’s traps, and the difference between chasing short-term happiness and building real, lasting contentment. Reading it feels like sitting w...

Awakening the Divine Feminine (The Pancha Prakriti Goddesses) – By Adi Krsna Rama

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of spiritual podcasts on YouTube, and spirituality as a topic has always fascinated me, since childhood. Everyone defines it differently and seeks something unique through it. Maybe this ongoing curiosity led me to this book. Interestingly, this is the only book I have ever bought without any recommendation; no reviews, no prior knowledge, nothing. I just came across it while browsing books on Amazon and instantly felt attracted to it. Sometimes, energies guide you toward certain things, they speak to you, help you make choices—and this book was one of those moments. I am really glad I trusted that instinct. The book explores the divine feminine through goddesses and their energies—how each goddess resides within us, how we can awaken their energies, and how our personalities often resonate their traits. It beautifully reminds us that spirituality is everywhere—in everything we do and everything around us. All it takes is awareness and a willingne...

WinterMoon

Search This Blog