A reimagining of the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat—told from the point of view of an amazing woman.
Relevant to today’... read full description
Relevant to today’... read full description
reviews
Apr 01, 2011
e.c.h.a
rated it: 
Pfuih.....OK...
Buku ini telah memikatku dalam banyak hal:
Pertama, Cover yang menarik. Yup, terkadang mata saya suka sekali dengan keindahan cover suatu buku. Perpaduan warnanya seperti membawa saya ke Istana Khayalan. Cover aselinya juga keren..I Love Green :)
Kedua, tokoh utamanya yaitu Drupadi. Saya suka Drupadi. Saya mengenal sosoknya saat membaca Mahabharata. Yang sedikit diceritakan *plus saya skimming juga* tapi sukses meninggalkan bekas di hati.
More...
Buku ini telah memikatku dalam banyak hal:
Pertama, Cover yang menarik. Yup, terkadang mata saya suka sekali dengan keindahan cover suatu buku. Perpaduan warnanya seperti membawa saya ke Istana Khayalan. Cover aselinya juga keren..I Love Green :)
Kedua, tokoh utamanya yaitu Drupadi. Saya suka Drupadi. Saya mengenal sosoknya saat membaca Mahabharata. Yang sedikit diceritakan *plus saya skimming juga* tapi sukses meninggalkan bekas di hati.
More...
106 comments
like
(14 people liked it)
Dec 19, 2010
Harun Harahap
rated it:
--------------Mengandung spoiler kisah cinta-cintaaannya-------------
”Masalah hanya menjadi masalah kalau kau percaya itu masalah. Seseorang melihatmu seperti kau melihat dirimu sendiri.”
“Kekuatan keyakinan seorang merembes kepada orang sekitarnya-ke dalam tanah, udara, dan air-sampai tak ada lainya.”
Itu hanya beberapa kutipan-kutipan menarik yang banyak disajikan di dalam buku ini. Halaman depan yang sangat indah membuat diri saya tak sabar membuka lembaran d More...
”Masalah hanya menjadi masalah kalau kau percaya itu masalah. Seseorang melihatmu seperti kau melihat dirimu sendiri.”
“Kekuatan keyakinan seorang merembes kepada orang sekitarnya-ke dalam tanah, udara, dan air-sampai tak ada lainya.”
Itu hanya beberapa kutipan-kutipan menarik yang banyak disajikan di dalam buku ini. Halaman depan yang sangat indah membuat diri saya tak sabar membuka lembaran d More...
65 comments
like
(12 people liked it)
Mar 20, 2010
Thesunan
rated it: 
buku pinjaman dari tante Mumut.. :)
PROLOG (boleh dilewat soalnya rada2 OOT :D)
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Pertama kali saya tahu ada cerita tentang Mahabrata adalah waktu saya SD, film Mahabrata pada waktu itu ditayangkan oleh salah satu stasiun televise swasta, yang memang dulu sempat mendapat julukan sebagai Televisi Pilem India, soalnya stasiun televisi tersebut sering menayangkan film India. Namun saya sendiri kurang tahu tentang sejarah cerita tersebut, More...
PROLOG (boleh dilewat soalnya rada2 OOT :D)
-----------------------------------------
Pertama kali saya tahu ada cerita tentang Mahabrata adalah waktu saya SD, film Mahabrata pada waktu itu ditayangkan oleh salah satu stasiun televise swasta, yang memang dulu sempat mendapat julukan sebagai Televisi Pilem India, soalnya stasiun televisi tersebut sering menayangkan film India. Namun saya sendiri kurang tahu tentang sejarah cerita tersebut, More...
76 comments
like
(20 people liked it)
Apr 07, 2011
Sweetdhee
rated it:
hmm.. saya merindukan seseorang seraya membaca buku ini..
Divakaruni memperkenalkan Mahabaratha kepada saya
Kisah yang saya ingat pernah ditayangkan di stasiun Televisi Perdangdutan Indonesia, itu pun hanya bagian lagu pembuka nya saja..
hihihihi
Saya mengetahui Mahabaratha hanya bahwa itu adalah kisah tentang Pandawa Lima
Itu pun sekedar nama dari kelima nya, tanpa mengetahui detail cerita seperti apa
Walaupun saya akhirnya mengetahui sedikit dari sosok More...
Divakaruni memperkenalkan Mahabaratha kepada saya
Kisah yang saya ingat pernah ditayangkan di stasiun Televisi Perdangdutan Indonesia, itu pun hanya bagian lagu pembuka nya saja..
hihihihi
Saya mengetahui Mahabaratha hanya bahwa itu adalah kisah tentang Pandawa Lima
Itu pun sekedar nama dari kelima nya, tanpa mengetahui detail cerita seperti apa
Walaupun saya akhirnya mengetahui sedikit dari sosok More...
39 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Sep 23, 2010
Mery
rated it:
Aku selalu suka sama kisah yang mengangkat sudut pandang berbeda dari seorang perempuan. Dan Drupadi ini dengan sukses telah menghipnotisku dengan kehidupannya yang penuh liku-liku...
Drupadi adalah titisan Dewi Agni, yang diramalkan akan mengubah sejarah...
Pada bab-bab awal Putri drupadi diramalkan bahwa dia akan menikah dengan lima pahlawan besar pada zamannya, akan menjadi ratu dari segala ratu, dicemburui para dewi. Akan menyebabkan perang terbesar, kematian kakak dan anak-a More...
Drupadi adalah titisan Dewi Agni, yang diramalkan akan mengubah sejarah...
Pada bab-bab awal Putri drupadi diramalkan bahwa dia akan menikah dengan lima pahlawan besar pada zamannya, akan menjadi ratu dari segala ratu, dicemburui para dewi. Akan menyebabkan perang terbesar, kematian kakak dan anak-a More...
44 comments
like
(24 people liked it)
Mar 17, 2009
Aastha
rated it:
I was intrigued as soon as I heard the plot of The Palace of Illusions, and I knew I was going to like it right away. I think Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni deserves three out of the five stars I gave her just for thinking of the idea itself. The Mahabharata has been part of India's ancient culture and history for the past 3000 years, and yet no one ever thought of narrating the epic from a different point of view.
Of course, I personally cheered at her choice of Draupadi as her narrator, More...
Of course, I personally cheered at her choice of Draupadi as her narrator, More...
4 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Aug 24, 2008
Crystal
rated it: 
Just a petty complaint:
I'm in the middle of this book and have a strong enough sense of the story to be able to make a heart felt plea: enough of the blatant foreshadowing! It's as if the author has no other creative or subtle use of language to hint at things to come. It always involves the last sentence of the chapter, starting with the end of Chapter 1, "I didn't know then how sorely that love would be tested, or how much it would cost both of us", "I didn't know that I'd More...
I'm in the middle of this book and have a strong enough sense of the story to be able to make a heart felt plea: enough of the blatant foreshadowing! It's as if the author has no other creative or subtle use of language to hint at things to come. It always involves the last sentence of the chapter, starting with the end of Chapter 1, "I didn't know then how sorely that love would be tested, or how much it would cost both of us", "I didn't know that I'd More...
2 comments
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(5 people liked it)
May 27, 2008
PC
rated it:
I liked this version of the Mahabharata told from the point of view of Draupadi despite its many shortcomings - the length of only 367 pages of course cannot do justice to a four volume epic. Some scenes that I would expect to be fully fleshed out to a microscopic degree (the disrobing, the year of exile, her year of marriage to Arjuna) are glossed over, and much attention is given to Draupadi's feelings towards Karna - understandable, because Divakaruni utilizes both unrequited love and the ti
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0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Mar 26, 2008
Anu
rated it: 
I think Divakurani's short stories are genius-but she ought to lay off the novels. The book wasn't terrible, but there were some ATROCIOUS anachronisms sprinkled throughout and the heavy handed feminism was a bit much. It definitely gained in narrative voice as the plot progressed.
Interesting read, but wait for the paperback, or get it out of the library.
Interesting read, but wait for the paperback, or get it out of the library.
May 06, 2008
Sanjay
rated it:
A retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi's point of view sounds like it has much potential -- but this attempt is let down by trying to encompass all of the epic, and bringing in the stories of almost all the characters, instead of staying faithful to Draupadi's (feminist) viewpoint. Making it a half-baked encapsulation, instead of a re-interpretation.
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 25, 2011
Navdeep
rated it:
At first, I had decided not to write a review for this book because I was not well-versed with the subject matter and felt that I wouldn't have much to say about it. However, then I thought of doing it anyway and as it turns out, I do have something to say which I've spewed here.
Reading a novel which narrates the universally known (except to me and a few other souls) story of the Mahabharata is a little like arriving to watch a movie after the hero has already lost his dad, the heroi More...
Reading a novel which narrates the universally known (except to me and a few other souls) story of the Mahabharata is a little like arriving to watch a movie after the hero has already lost his dad, the heroi More...
3 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 27, 2010
Neha
rated it:
Mahabharata through the eyes of its most controversial character - Panchali or Draupadi.. Its an interesting take.. and Chitra Banerjee through her master story teller stroke has done a fair justice to it. Although at time she turns Panchali into a more complex character then she could be. Probably she was just a simple woman with no idea of her significance in history & how she gets caught in the midst of the biggest events in Indian history and how her decisions shape lives of all her loved on
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0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Mar 12, 2008
Luci
rated it:
I think this novel was probably very well done in the sense that it focused on the feelings of a female heroine that are often overlooked in this ancient Indian tale. I often read Indian fiction because I really enjoy learning about the culture. I find the traditions very interesting....but I am completely unfamiliar with the epic story of the Mahabharata and this was the basis of this story and all the characters in it - purely fantasy. Furthermore, I found some of the story confusing and hard
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2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 26, 2009
Simi
rated it: 
This is the story of the Mahabharata told from the point of view of a woman. Though the legend and the characters in the story are very well known and loved, and the story is fascinating and mythical, the author falls far short of delivering a good re-visioning of the story.
She does not draw out the characters at all, and as a result they remain as gods or legends - i.e. flat and somewhat iconic, rather than rounded out. We don't know their motivations, idiosyncrasies, or foibles - More...
She does not draw out the characters at all, and as a result they remain as gods or legends - i.e. flat and somewhat iconic, rather than rounded out. We don't know their motivations, idiosyncrasies, or foibles - More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 27, 2008
Nora
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 30, 2008
Lorraine
rated it:
This re-telling of the Indian epic, the Mahabarat, is rich and wonderful story-weaving. By one of my long-time favorite authors, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, it is completely satisfying and at the same time educational, as it opens for us Westerners some of the mysteries of Indian myth and literature. I was entranced from the first page to the last, and loved the very human faces put on the feats of the heroes and gods in the story. Especially Panchaali, the heroine, will stick in my mind as a
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0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Mar 08, 2009
Ginger
rated it:
A beautiful story...the first Hindi myth I've read....since I love classics in general, this was a very great addition to my knowledge of classical mythology!
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 26, 2010
Speakercoret
rated it:
Judi ,judi meracuni kehidupan..... Judi ,judi..
ketika kekuasaan dan kekayaan pandawa dimenangkan duryodana dari yudistira dalam permainan judi..
ketika kehormatan pandawa juga sudah direbut duryodana...
ketika dropadi dipermalukan ma duryodana..
ketika suami-suami dropadi hanya tertunduk geram..
kenapa gw langsung inget ma ni lagu yah..
hehehhe
ketika kekuasaan dan kekayaan pandawa dimenangkan duryodana dari yudistira dalam permainan judi..
ketika kehormatan pandawa juga sudah direbut duryodana...
ketika dropadi dipermalukan ma duryodana..
ketika suami-suami dropadi hanya tertunduk geram..
kenapa gw langsung inget ma ni lagu yah..
hehehhe
19 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 15, 2009
Lovingchocolat
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 01, 2011
Meisha
rated it:
I read this book because when I skimmed the description it sounded interesting and when I started it, the book kept my interest. I had no idea it was a retelling of an Indian epic, I thought it was a fantastic story until I finished and I researched a principle/theological question I had from the reading. Then I realized this was a retelling, told from a woman's perspective. That said, this book introduced me to this Indian epic and prompted some thoughts about my own heart desires and result
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Nov 12, 2011
Edy
rated it:
PALACE OF ILLUSIONS (Istana Khayalan)
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Jakarta, 2009
ISBN 978-979-22-4556-1
496 halaman
Buku yang INDAH...Buku ini memakai setting cerita wayang Mahabarata dari sudut pandang perempuan yang bernama Dorpadi. Dorpadi sendiri merupakan anak pemepuan Raja Durpada dari negeri Pancala. Dia mempunyai saudara kembar yang bernama Drestadyumna (Dre). Dorpadi merasa semenjak awal kelahirannya, dia tidak sebenarnya tidak diin More...
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Jakarta, 2009
ISBN 978-979-22-4556-1
496 halaman
Buku yang INDAH...Buku ini memakai setting cerita wayang Mahabarata dari sudut pandang perempuan yang bernama Dorpadi. Dorpadi sendiri merupakan anak pemepuan Raja Durpada dari negeri Pancala. Dia mempunyai saudara kembar yang bernama Drestadyumna (Dre). Dorpadi merasa semenjak awal kelahirannya, dia tidak sebenarnya tidak diin More...
Oct 05, 2011
Richard
rated it:
I'd give it six stars if I could.
Peak reading experiences come all too seldom in life. I think one knows it's a peak when it's almost too painful to endure that the book is ending, but almost too painful to endure to put it down and turn out the light. Then the book comes to you in your dreams, the characters and the situations work their magical way into your receptive dream-mind, and make not only waking hours painfully happy with the reading or anticipation of reading but the slee More...
Peak reading experiences come all too seldom in life. I think one knows it's a peak when it's almost too painful to endure that the book is ending, but almost too painful to endure to put it down and turn out the light. Then the book comes to you in your dreams, the characters and the situations work their magical way into your receptive dream-mind, and make not only waking hours painfully happy with the reading or anticipation of reading but the slee More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 20, 2011
Amodini
rated it:
A retelling of the Mahabharat from a woman’s point of view. This is a very interesting take on an otherwise traditional story, because although there are women in the Mahabharat/Ramayana, their role is secondary, and mostly as honor/child bearers. There are some women who do get their way, but they are generally “evil”, for example Kaikeyi in the Ramayana. There literally are no strong women, who wield any influence, or can even do as they think. There is Kunti in the Mahabharat, who bears child
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Jul 04, 2011
Debolina
rated it:
Title: The Palace of Illusions
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher: Picador
MRP: Rs. 495/-
Release Year: 2008
Genre: Fiction
We have all seen the Mahabharata - literally,a little adulterated maybe,but yes, we have seen the epic unfold before our very own eyes on each Sunday morning courtesy (now underrated Doordarshan).Who doesn’t remember the silver-bearded Bheeshma Pitamah, the strong and charismatic Karna wrapped in a gold armour, the 'satyavaadi' Yudhis More...
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher: Picador
MRP: Rs. 495/-
Release Year: 2008
Genre: Fiction
We have all seen the Mahabharata - literally,a little adulterated maybe,but yes, we have seen the epic unfold before our very own eyes on each Sunday morning courtesy (now underrated Doordarshan).Who doesn’t remember the silver-bearded Bheeshma Pitamah, the strong and charismatic Karna wrapped in a gold armour, the 'satyavaadi' Yudhis More...
Apr 02, 2011
Smitha
rated it:
I am so so happy that I could read this book. I enjoyed every page of it. This is the story of Mahabharatha - not the full one, but a few incidents as seen through the eyes of Draupadi - the Pandava wife. This book will be best appreciated only by those who have a knowledge of the Mahabharatha - the vast Indian epic full of intrigue, mysteries, magic, politics, family obligations and the strife for attaining the Kuru throne by two set of cousins - the good Pandavas (5 brothers with one common wi
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0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Sep 17, 2010
Abish
rated it:
I was trying to find an audio book from the library and selected this one because of the cover. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. It's a retelling of an Indian epic called the Mahabharat. I didn't know this when I started listening to it. It was confusing at first because it's told like a myth with mythical births, weapons and powers. It's about a Princess (who is called by three different names, adding to confusion) who falls in love with her family's enemy and instead is married off to fi
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Aug 18, 2010
Lesley
rated it:
My description of this book is from the book review on Goodreads...
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 legendary Pandavas brothers from the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat. The novel traces the princess Panchaali's life, beginning with her birth in fire and following her spirited balancing act as a woman with five husbands who have been cheated out of their father’s kingdo More...
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 legendary Pandavas brothers from the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat. The novel traces the princess Panchaali's life, beginning with her birth in fire and following her spirited balancing act as a woman with five husbands who have been cheated out of their father’s kingdo More...
Apr 03, 2010
Puni
rated it:
when i was around 12, in my country they aired the Indian Mahabharata miniseries on TV. i couldn't care less about it then, as it was filled with vengeance, war scenes, and other manly things.
when my mum told me about this book (she translated it to the Indonesian version), it made me curious, because now the story is told in a woman's point of view.
as soon as i started reading it, i fell in love with the whole thing.
the story's prolly been told thousands of times over and over ag More...
when my mum told me about this book (she translated it to the Indonesian version), it made me curious, because now the story is told in a woman's point of view.
as soon as i started reading it, i fell in love with the whole thing.
the story's prolly been told thousands of times over and over ag More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 30, 2010
Chip
rated it:
A retelling of the Mahabharata (did I spell that right?) from the female point of view. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the updated treatment, as I am woefully uneducated about classical Indian literature, but I can say the book was very entertaining, insightful and well-written. I found the characters convincing, despite their status as demigods (but then I'll believe just about anything!) - mostly because of the pains the author took to work out the motivations behind the character's actio
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Dec 10, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Sebagai seseorang yang mengenal Mahabarata melalui pandangan R.A. Kosasih, buku ini langsung menarik perhatian saya begitu saya membaca reviewnya di situs ini.
Mahabarata melalui "kacamata" Drupadi?? Hhmmm.... kayanya menarik nih..
Bisa dijadikan bacaan saat menunggu kereta nih. Toh jalan cerita dan pelaku di dalamnya sudah setengah dihafal saking seringnya membolak-balik halaman komik R.A. Kosasih di masa kecil. (Note : bacaan menunggu kereta HARUSLAH bacaan yang menar More...
Mahabarata melalui "kacamata" Drupadi?? Hhmmm.... kayanya menarik nih..
Bisa dijadikan bacaan saat menunggu kereta nih. Toh jalan cerita dan pelaku di dalamnya sudah setengah dihafal saking seringnya membolak-balik halaman komik R.A. Kosasih di masa kecil. (Note : bacaan menunggu kereta HARUSLAH bacaan yang menar More...
4 comments
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(2 people liked it)
