The Palace of Illusions

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni brings to life a spellbinding retelling of the Mahabharata through the eyes of its fiery heroine, Panchaali, in The Palace of Illusions. This unforgettable novel takes readers to a time that is part history, part myth, and entirely magical.

Born of fire and destined for greatness, Panchaali's journey unfolds as she becomes the shared wife of five royal brothers, the Pandavas, who have been wronged and cast out of their kingdom. Fiercely loyal, she stands by them through exile, betrayal, and the devastating Kurukshetra War. Yet, her story is also deeply personal—a tale of love, friendship, and longing.

Caught in the intricate web of fate, Panchaali grapples with her complex bond with the divine Krishna and a forbidden attraction to her husbands’ greatest adversary. Divakaruni’s vivid prose and fresh perspective reimagine this timeless epic as a deeply human story, blending myth and reality into a richly layered narrative that resonates with modern readers.