Palace of Illusions Book Review (Spoiler Free) | Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Books

Hi guys, I just read Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee and absolutely loved it. So here is my spoiler free review! I hope you guys enjoy it. If you have read this book then please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below as I would love to have a discussion with you all :)
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[@Isha_Isha]

I finished this book yesterday and was looking through reviews and could only find raving ones, without actually going into the flaws of the narrative. The 3 things you pointed out were the exact things that irked me while reading the book. This video feels so validating.

[@mayabhatofficial]

Karna draupadi angle was really immature. Apart from that, I loved the beautiful writing style of the author. Other things, I would add into the concept of creative freedom 😄. Regarding why kunti told her sons to marry draupathi, I think there was a mention, something like, she wanted a reason that would keep all her 5 sons bound forever. I remember reading something like that

[@fandomnewbie]

Oh really? Maybe I missed that? I can’t remember reading that explicitly... But yeah, the Karn Draupadi angle was so unnecessary.

[@upexapatel8607]

@@fandomnewbie that is fake story real book me alag story hai

[@Riri-it3lu]

@Bookshot Yupp! Draupadi says that the panadavas were like pearls, each precious and unique, but she was the gold string that held them all together!

[@swathisk4935]

I really liked this book, do come up with more vedios on mythological books and books written about kings and queens

[@fandomnewbie]

Yes!! I have some which are on my TBR. Will try to film videos about them..

[@sanjanahursale6046]

Great review! However, Draupadi did know, not all, but quite a few things about Karna from the beginning of the novel itself as Dhri had told her Karna's story. First, it was just an attraction when she had seen Karna's portrait, but as Dhri told her more about Karna she grew more and more interested in him, and also, Karna was a mysterious person which pulled her towards him even more. Also, I believe that there's nothing as high school love or adult love, there aren't different types of love, love is just love, so when we love someone it's natural to want them to acknowledge us atleast a bit, we don't want them to atleast hate us if not love us😊

[@fandomnewbie]

That's a really nice way to look at love!! But the love I find most believable in stories is when the 2 people get to know each other by actually spending time with each other. Otherwise it just sounds like infatuation. Also a third person can really glorify the deeds of someone else, so even if Dhri did tell Draupadi about Karna, to me that's not enough for me to truly believe in their love. It seems superficial to me..😅

[@sanjanahursale6046]

@@fandomnewbie You have a point there!

[@Animeii_Editz]

Sasti Wattpad Cheating Story ...

[@swatimishra5168]

Could you please tell me what are the references in this novel

[@GrewalYash820]

Hi If u have to select between Jaya and the palace of illusions Which one will u select?? Pls suggest me

[@Animeii_Editz]

Jaya ...but read original Mahabharat i will say

[@ankitachoudhry9454]

OMGG!! 😭😭😭 just let me say this. The first novel I read was harry Potter (just like you) then I found out that your 2nd novel was also twilight series. and I finished reading 'The Palace of Illusion' on this Saturday and just loved it!! It's not a huge coincidence but still I like it😂😂❤ you inspire me a lot💜💜

[@fandomnewbie]

Hahaha! That’s so cool 😃

[@bharatmahaan2991]

The Draupadi-Karna angle was disgusting... Otherwise the book is okay.

[@gum_beer]

We need to be cautious while reading books related to Hindu purana such as Mahabharata because the epic which is written originally in Sanskrit need to interpreted accurately if not it is going to cause a whole new perspective. Devadutt pattanaik's interpration of gita is a full of blunder as pointed out by the Sanskrit scholar. Whenever a Sanskrit literature is retold the author need to have a thorough knowledge of Sanskrit so the true meaning of the script remains intact.

[@adityachatuphale1299]

Absolutely.. Devadatta patnaik's a crap

[@mariusandersons]

true

[@rahyam-sd9tm]

The dark area behaind the light is like the difficulties of a girl while recording video behind her smile. A story like this of a woman can explain onle another

[@harshithabharadwaj5040]

I love this book💜

[@upexapatel8607]

Fake story likhi hai isne

[@potterharry6155]

Actually, on your last video I commented that can you please do some Harry Potter kinda quiz. So will you work on it?

[@fandomnewbie]

I’ll try to, I have a lot of other videos I wanna film haha..don’t have the time for them all 😅

[@potterharry6155]

@@fandomnewbie Oh🙈😅, I understand

[@khunchatangjang2712]

Yajnaseni:the story of Draupadi will always be the best 💗

[@mathangiumasankar4308]

I loved this book to the core

[@fandomnewbie]

Yes, even with its flaws, it was an enjoyable read!

[@lyrijumbachoi520]

I am so fascinated by the premise of this book but I haven't read Mahabharata, nor am I super familiar to the story besides a few youtube summary videos. Do you think I have to read Mahabharata first before reading Palace of Illusions?

[@fandomnewbie]

No you don’t need to. The story explains quite a bit as it goes along and it covers the main aspects of the Mahabharata. So, you should be able to follow what’s happening. You might, maybe miss some very slight nuances, but that won’t hamper your experience in my opinion 😊

[@lyrijumbachoi520]

@@fandomnewbie oh that’s great! Thank you for the reply!! I’d still want to learn more about the story before going in so I could understand the nuances a bit more! Do you have any recommendations of some good summaries/reviews of the book?

[@vaishvanara5906]

It's better to gatekeep the epic than destroying its sanctity.

[@varshinikaithapuram6189]

It is an amaaaaazinggg book!🥰

[@fandomnewbie]

Yes! It was very enjoyable 😃

[@natsuagarwaldragneel8388]

after one year- me: areyyy! haan!abbi finish ki, bilkul sahi kehre ho aap maam QwQ *nodding* same,ditto feelings,ji ji

[@BookTalesByPritha]

One of the best retelling of the epic Mahabharata.

[@adityachatuphale1299]

... In a very negative way

[@fandomnewbie]

Yes! The perspective the author brought was quite interesting..

[@avtaralex]

It's an another hit piece on Hinduism....

[@sunitasingh9838]

What do you mean? Kindly elaborate?

[@Abhijith4593]

Is it necessary to read/know Mahabharat before reading Palace of illusion?

[@potterharry6155]

No, if you've read it, much better, it'll give you a fresh perspective. This applies for even knowing the story. If you haven't, treat of it as any novel you'd read that you're unaware of.

[@sriranjit3684]

How many pages is THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS ?

[@fandomnewbie]

It is about 360 pages

[@sriranjit3684]

@@fandomnewbie tqsm sis 😇

[@vishaljha1263]

When I read the book,i too loved it... you have mentioned the reasons and i totally agree with those... And Then The Draupdi-Karn love angle, will a girl still love someone who was one of the instigators/mute supporter of her humiliation... undigestable...

[@pujapaul6727]

Di app please meri ek request rakh do na James potter and the hall of elder's crossing book Ka review Kar do na please 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@fandomnewbie]

Is it Harry Potter fan fiction? I’ve never heard of this one before...

[@tinakhurana2440]

is it fiction??

[@sudhekshakanuru1797]

is this book a easy read for beginners?

[@fandomnewbie]

Yes, it is pretty straightforward. I think beginners will enjoy it :)

[@adityachatuphale1299]

Hi fandom newbie.. 😄 I've been following your channel since the lockdown started.. And have been a great admirer of you 😄.. Be it in terms of book taste, choice, style of review, and the way you look at and confront the narrative of the writer.. But this is the first time that I'm going to contradict you ... So pls be ready😂😅 Firstly, Mahabharat and Ramayan aren't Hindu mythology🔱.. They're our history.. The Archaeological excavations and the proof of Shri Ram being worshipped in Thailand, Combodia (through other name) proves that.. Also DR. Apj abdul kalam in his many speeches, presented his views of how excavations found prove their existence be it in form of karma, soul or physical body.. There's much I can talk.. But getting straight towards point... This book 💣💥💣💥💣💥was absolutely disgusting for me.. Initially, I considered no-one has the guts to write worse than cursed Child.. But this book proved that they're still liberal intellectuals in the world who can go to any length to show their hypocrisy by writing and influencing people through their creations and work which suit their agenda, their political ideology.. And the outcome is that it works.. Because people fall prey, and brainwash themselves just because it's BEING PRESENTED SKILLFULLY.. IT'S LIKE POISON IN THE DELICIOUS FOOD BEING FED TO THE POOR... and the poor too falls in his trap thus.. Savouring food and greeting death...(LIKEWISE PEOPLE CONSIDER THIS BOOK TO BE GENUINE JUST BECAUSE IT'S BEING WRITTEN FROM POINT OF VIEW A RELATABLE CHARACTER.. REGARDLESS OF HOW FALSE THEY WRITE.. IT WON'T MATTER.. The relationship draupadi had in this book with other characters doesn't even match to even 1% of what Sage vyas has written in his pure form of mahabharat.. I think fandom newbie, you've never come across these things in too detail about ramayan and mahabharat .. So you're believing this.. But this book.. Being presented as a feminist mahabharat.. Is absolute shit.. Whole throughout the book while reading, I could understand that this writer has sooo much hatred towards our Hindu sanatan sanskriti and vedic dharma that she wants to change our history and show it in a very bad limelight.. How draupadi was attracted towards karna, her feelings for him and sooo many other thingsss I could have talked about,... But just telling you as your fan😅😄.. What I think about this.. And yes pls.. Don't brainwash yourself according to this book.. It's 100% falsely written.. Sorry if I've been rude.. But I just can't tolerate our history being presented sooo wrongly.. All of the SABHYATA FROM THE WORLD HAS BEEN DESTROYED EXCEPT INDIA'S.. THERE'S A REASON TO IT.. BECAUSE CRORES OF PEOPLE SACRIFICED THEIR BLOOD FOR IT.. JAY SHREE RAM🙏🙏 I urge you to pls carefully watch this video and clear all your doubts and questions about this book.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnmWe5t7qK2ooZI This video is one☝ of the most authentic pieces to be found on KZbin

[@fandomnewbie]

No you were not at all rude in your comment. And it’s fine to have an opposing view as Long as you say it in a respectful manner 😊 I’m not a very religious person. So for me, I guess I never looked at it from that point of view. But I can totally understand where you’re coming from. For me, I looked at it from a literary point of view and I really enjoyed the author’s writing and interpretations on some of the instances in the Mahabharata. Yes, she did take Creative liberties, some of which were questionable, but overall I thought she crafted the story very well.

[@Riri-it3lu]

Just a small little thing that I wanted to say, Mahabharat and Ramayana are Mythological Epics, though very much essential to reconstruct our history. Ancient Indian history is not recorded in a conventional historical manner, in which there are recordings of events and battles, but it is portrayed through our common experiences in the Society, in the things we do, the way we behave, and the morals that has been instilled in all of us as Indians. In that aspect, Ramayana and Mahanharta are our history, yes, but to blatantly say that they are not mythological would be very incorrect. Also, this is coming from someone who studies history. :)

[@Animeii_Editz]

This was Woke Propoganda..Where they think Cheating is Good .. I really felt Cringe after seeing this Karna Draupadi story

[@SurakshaKanuru]

Can a beginner pick this book?

[@fandomnewbie]

The language is simple, but quite descriptive and a bit elaborate. I think of you are an absolute beginner, it might be a bit hard. But if you have read a few books and are used to reading, you can enjoy this one :)

[@preeti.a.r]

Mam, I think u don't know about Indian mythology. Benarji tried to saw all the things from Dropadi's perception but could not justify it because no one can evaluate the actions or the happenings from which they have never gone through. It was dropar youg and we r living in kalyg which shaws a vast distance.

[@AdritaDas02]

Please do a book review of six of crows duology!!

[@fandomnewbie]

Yess!! I still have to read Crooked Kingdom. But I will once I finish..

[@chitransh847]

I like u 😍😅

[@qwerty-ws5hq]

Devdutt Pattnaik....🤣🤡

[@lanacappuccino8270]

Don't say mythology. This is our history to proud on

[@shaloowalia]

I didn't like this book. Draupadi has been portrayed as an insecure, jealous and arrogant woman. And Karna-Draupadi angle was so disgusting. To imply that a woman is in love with someone who instigates her disrobing in the royal assembly....this was just so, so disgusting. And the end, their souls reuniting in heaven...it was so dramatic!! This is the problem with retellings. Authors in their enthusiasm forget that Ramayana & Mahabharata aren't just any books...They are our revered scriptures.

[@fandomnewbie]

Yeah I do agree with you on the Karn Draupadi angle. And the author did take liberties that were unnecessary, but I really enjoyed her writing style. I felt the story was very beautifully crafted.