Something that touched my heart♥️✨A mother’s love is INCOMPARABLE 🌸 CR: The Palace of Illusions . . #palaceofillusions #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #draupadisversion
♡♡♡♡♡REVIEW AND RATING ♡♡♡♡♡ RATING : ⭐ ⭐ /5 REVIEW : The Palace of Illusion by Chitra Banerjee Liked : *) Author writing style is really amazing and astonishing. I love it. *) Another thing I love about the book is Quote. *) I loved the 15% of the book after that I felt like this is not actual Mahabharata Not Liked : Firstly from childhood I have heard Stories related to Mahabharata and specially about Panchaali. The way author describe her in story sometimes I feel she has done a kind of modern touch to this character. Few Point which I want to say contain Spoilers so Stop here if you don't want any spoilers *) First thing is Panchaali's father and her family use to love her a lot. *) She never had any kind of fear like what society think about her and all stuff *) She always look at Krishna as a friend and guru or supporter we can say. *) She never loved Karna the way author describe in this book.She never love Karna *) Arjun use to love Panchaali a lot, he never treated like this(I mean the way author had said in this book). *) Karna never loved Panchaali. He use to hate because what she told him at swayamvar. It's my perspective if you consider this book character as fiction and not relate it with actual Mahabharat than of course you will give this book 5 Star bcoz as I told author writing style is good but I can't consider it as fictional story as I am connected to her character and with story of Mahabharat like from childhood so I didn't enjoyed it. Don't get offended it's my perspective as a reader and I love this author and her work❤❤. Looking forward to read more books from her. Happy Reading!!! #thepalaceofillusions #thepalaceofillusionsbook #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bokkreview #bookranting #REVIEW #review #Bookstagram #mahabharat #panchaali
Price with free shipping 1. 8 Plays Anton Chekhov - ₹199 2. Alexander Pope - ₹199 3. Unaccustomed Earth - ₹199 4. Palace of Illusions - ₹199 5. Book Thief - ₹199 6. Jaya Mahabharata - ₹199 #antonchekhov #alexanderpope #jhumpalahiri #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #devduttpattanaik #library #oldbookdepot #prelovedbooks #booklover #booksindia #bookreaders #books #bookgram #bookshelf #book #booklovers #booknerd #bookstagram #booklove #bookscommunity #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #bookclub #bookreader #biblophile #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #instabooks
Independence - 4.5/5 Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of my favourite Indian writers. Her books, The Palace of Illusions and The Forest of Enchantments, helped me fall in love with reading. Independence follows the lives of three sisters - Priya, Deepa, and Jamini - against the backdrop of India’s partition. Deepa, the oldest of the three, is extremely beautiful. She wishes to improve her family’s condition by obtaining a prosperous marriage. Jamini, the middle child, is crippled in one leg. She sews quilts with her mother but fails to garner the affection she desires. Priya, the youngest and brightest, wishes to study medicine and become a doctor. The sisters’ peaceful lives are shattered when their father is killed in a riot. Fate pulls them in different directions, unfortunately splintering their cohesive family. Their unity hung by a thread just like India’s struggles with transition. When reading Independence, you are bound to empathise with each sister at varied points. Chitra Banerjee brilliantly etches a tapestry of feelings - agony, hope, love, and despair - leaving behind a remarkable impression. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookishlove #bookworm #booklover #booknerd #indianbookstagram #indianbookstagrammer #newbookstagrammer #readerlife #readersofinstagram #readerofig #readersofinsta #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #independence #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #indianliterature #indianauthors
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ✨ What does Independence mean to you? Isn’t it the freedom from every validation you seek from others for your existence? We, readers too love independent reading.I feel we are not constrained to one genre. We dive into a plethora of genres.. In the ocean of colossal amount of books available, we find our refuge and comfort. 📖🤍✨ Independence by Chitra is a beautiful story about three sisters - Priya,Jamini and Deepa. ❤️ When India was partitioned,they found themselves separated from one another, afraid of what would happen to not only themselves but also each other. It is only then that they understood what it meant to be independent and the price one had to pay for it. This is a historical fiction, a moving story of loyalty and love, nationhood and sisterhood, set against India’s independence movement, at once exhilarating and devastating. I loved it. ❤️❤️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have you read it? What are your thoughts about it?✨ #read #bookstagram #independence #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #historicalfiction #readingislife #loveforbooks #authorsofinstagram #author #kantha #booklover #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bengal #heritage #storiesthatstay #readeveryday
I always wanted to write a book review but I never found a book that had me wanting to pen down so much. Though this book changed that. I have so much to say about this and here's my review! #thepalaceofillusions #bookreview #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #mahabharat #draupadi #bookrecs #pandavas #writersofinstagram The book 'The Palace of Illusions' is written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It basically tells the story of Mahabharata through the eyes of a woman, Draupadi. It begins with Draupadi's birth to her death and talks about all the joys and hardships she faced during the Great war and the events that led to it. Though I have been taught about the valors of Pandavas since the age of 2, I have never imagined them like this. Every character in the book has their weaknesses and makes their mistakes. It portrays them as normal human beings with flaws, destined for great things, instead of the perfect heroes we think them to be. Draupadi, the best queen the world has ever seen, had her own misgivings, envy, and thirst for vengeance. Her character development throughout the book makes it an interesting read and makes her a relatable character. Her thoughts match those of women through the ages that suffered injustice and tragedies. The lens she puts in front of us, portrays the legends we admire as mere humans who brought what they deserved onto themselves. The way the author has showcased the beauty of Krishna's and Draupadi's friendship is admirable, though not as well as what I had hoped. It's a book that's a must read for everyone who has always admired Mahabharata. If I had a choice, I would rather believe this story than the one I have been listening to since childhood.
📕 The Forest of Enchantments, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni The Forest of Enchantments is a re-telling of the Great Indian Epic, Ramayana, through the viewpoint of Sita. Ramayana is the story of God Vishnu's 7th reincarnation as Ram, the noble King of Ayodhya, during the Treta Yuga. His divine purpose was to vanquish the rakshasas, demons threatening the earth. Sita, the reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (the consort of Vishnu), became the beloved wife of Ram. Ravished by Sita's beauty, the King of demons, Ravana, abducts her during Ram, Lakshman and Sita's 14 year long exile. The two brothers, Ram and Lakshman, courageously defeat Ravana with the aid of the monkey army and Hanuman. Despite Sita's unwavering love and devotion to Ram, her chastity was questioned and she was exiled after returning from Ravana's abode, separating from her beloved once again. The book focuses on Sita as she grapples with societal expectations, her own desires and the injustices inflicted upon her. A poignant moment in the book is the Agni Pariksha or the Trial by Fire, during which Sita walked through fire to not only prove her chastity but also defy the patriarchal norms that seek to confine and control her. This moment, along with many other, challenges the traditional roles of women in society and encapsulates Sita's character as a woman of dignity, grace, and resilience. The book beautifully humanises the revered characters, portraying them with a nuanced combination of divinity and humanity. Despite the characters' status as gods and goddesses, they are depicted with flaws and imperfections, which further allows the reader to intimately connect with the them and ponder about the world and it's ways. On the auspicious day of Sita Navami, I present to you this beautiful rendition of Ramayana, which empowers women to break free from the chains of patriarchal expectations and encourages them to embrace life with dignity and inner strength. "Protests crowded my mouth. Was a man's pride more important than the truth?" - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ #forestofenchantment #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #womenempowerment #indianmythology #ramayana #sita #sitanavami
They are not just quotes - there’s so much to it. Stop, think and re-read ♥️ @divakarunichitra Thank you for these thoughts 🌔 From my current read #thepalaceofillusions #readwithrev #quotes #quotestoliveby #bookstagram #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni Did you read The Palace of Illusions yet?
This one hits the right mark again. Always a feminist at heart even if not all people believe in it. #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #thelastqueen
#currentlyreading 💛 #bookstagrammer #trending #trendingbooks2024 #booktok #instabook #palaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
Day 135 Finished The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee @divakarunichitra. 📖Contemporary fiction (mythology) The Mahababharat epic retold from Draupadi’s perspective. We all have read or been told or performed different stories from the Mahabharata, but this one is different. The narrator of this book is Draupadi, starts from her birth and takes us through her journey of life till death and beyond. Draupadi has not been contained into societal tags like a daughter/mother/ wife instead lets us into her consciousness of a woman in a man’s world. A beautiful retelling of the epic we all didn’t know we needed. 🪷 Favourite bit: Draupadi is dying and asks Krishna if he is divine, Krishna laughs and says, yes I am and so are you. { Krishna touches my hand. At his touch something breaks, a chain that was tied to the woman-shape. I am buoyant and expansive and uncontainable - but I always was so, only I never knew it! I am beyond name and gender and the imprisoning patterns of ego. And yet, for the first time, I’m truly P a n c h a a l i. } #palaceofillusions #bookreview #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #contemporaryfiction
"I couldn’t control what was done to me. But my response to it was in my control"✨ . 𝚁𝚎-𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐- Forest of Enchantments (@divakarunichitra ) . ~ＴＡＧＳ~ . #books #romance #romcom #grumyxsunshine #billionaireromance #wattpadindia #wattpadlovers #wattpadaesthetic #bookrecommendations #booklover #indianstory #indianauthor #ａｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃ #bookstoreromanceday #forestofenchantments #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
"Embrace the power of perception. In the Palace of Illusion, reality shifts with belief. Let others see your strength as you see yourself." #PalaceOfIllusion #perceptionispower #visionaryvanya #belief #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #exploring #life #thegoodquote #embrace #selflove
Sold - hardcover edition “The Forest of Enchantments” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a captivating and beautifully reimagined retelling of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, from the perspective of its often-overlooked female character, Sita. This novel brings Sita’s voice to the forefront, allowing readers to experience her journey, emotions, and innermost thoughts. #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #library #oldbookdepot #prelovedbooks #booklover #booksindia #bookreaders #books #bookgram #bookshelf #book #booklovers #booknerd #bookstagram #booklove #bookscommunity #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #bookclub #bookreader #biblophile #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #instabook
📚 Book Review 📚 The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This novel will transport you to ancient India, offering a fresh perspective on the epic tale of the Mahabharata. Through the eyes of Draupadi, we are drawn into a world of opulence, deceit, and divine intervention. The best part is its storytelling which does not make this mythology book a difficult or monotonous read. One of the novel’s strengths lies in its exploration of female agency and resilience in a patriarchal society. Draupadi defies convention and challenges societal norms, asserting her identity and shaping her own destiny amidst the chaos of war and betrayal. Overall, this book is a must read to look at an age-old epic in a different light. Here are some of our favourite quotes: “I am buoyant and expansive and uncontainable—but I always was so, only I never knew it!” “There was an unexpected freedom in finding out that one wasn’t as important as one had always assumed!” . . . . . . . . . #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #book #bookstagram #bookworm #literature #reader #readersofinstagram #readersofahmedabad #ahmedabad #ahmedabad_instagram #ahmedabad_diaries #TheCreativeChapters
Only one word "DIVINE" #mustread #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #mythology #ramsiyaram #sitayan
Although I wrote nearly 30 books in Bengali, if your teenage child at home prefers English books, then I have English books for them too! Until now, two of my books have been published in English. You can start increasing their reading habits with these two books. They will uncover many unknown worlds before them. 💙 1. Chronicles of the Lost Daughters from @harpercollins : Thousands of people were trafficked from post-colonial India to Latin America as indentured laborers in the nineteenth century, subplots including the first woman physician Dr. Kadambari and many others. A historical novel meticulously translated by @arunavasinha. Link in my bio. 2. 7 Deadly Sinners from @rupa_publications : Gripping tales of seven shocking incidents from the last two hundred years of the Indian subcontinent. Link in my bio. The publishers of both books deserve credit. Therefore, these books can be found in any online or offline bookstore around the country. Readers from various parts of the country often review these books on Amazon. I'm sharing few reviews with you. More books from me will gradually come in English. 💜🧡💜 #indianbooks #indianwriters #writersofinstagram #writersofindia #love #poetry #writer #writers #writerscommunity #poetsofindia #quotes #instagram #poetsofinstagram #india #writersofig #lovequotes #writing #wordgasm #poetrycommunity #writings #shayari #thoughts #quoteoftheday #microfiction #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #writingcommunity #igwriters #tales #instapoet #debaratimukhopadhyay
#chitradivakaruni #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #edisonnj #debutnovel #thirdstatebooks #bollywood #bollywoodmovies
#MyBookishUpdate Thank you Vicki @antipodeanbookclub for tagging me to share a little update on my reading life. Last week was a whirlwind and I was at a loss for post ideas so this came at the perfect moment. 📖 What was your last read? I just finished reading Shine On, Bright & Dangerous Object by Laurie Colwin. A look at what it is like to be widowed at a very young age. Which could have been melancholy in another author’s hands but is poignant and ultimately uplifting in Colwin’s. 📖 What are you currently reading? I am currently reading Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse for the #CozyReaderBookClub and Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Two very different books but I’m enjoying both. 📖 What are you currently listening to? I am listening to the audiobook of On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder and it is just wonderful. I love that Laura is extra spunky in this one! 📖 What’s your most recent book purchase? I just ordered The Growing Summer by Noel Streatfeild which I will be buddy reading with Kate @nocomplimentstoyourmother in July. 📖 What are the top 3 books on your TBR? The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman, The Scapegoat by Daphne Du Maurier, and Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell. I’d love to get all three read by the end of June! I have tagged a few people but, tagged or not, play along if you’d like. I’d love to hear your answer to one of these questions in the comments!
I love Chitra Banerjee with my whole heart 🤍 Her writings make me feel so much! . But not this Book - This book wasn't the thing which I expected, it turned out in a different way. Throughout the story , sita's love towards ram was a teenager's crush, anything he does is love , love is , love is that . I got to read only these after every dialogue of sita There was no individuality seen in her character, I got this book , so I thought, this book will give a female voice to the character, her individuality. But nothing turned that way, throughout the story it was sita being the same sita . No Individuality, no voice over anything. That disturbed me throughout reading this book. I do feel the Book was more Ram centred, Ram , Ram and Sita behind him . Glorifying Men , Their acts as normal, Questioning Purity and justifying it. And Sita acknowledged everything done to her. I wondered why sita didn't question when Urmila was not taken with her to the forest, there was another marriage which is broken , but sita was obsessed like a teenager crush towards Ram, anything Ram says is Fine and that's the command she is getting. Nothing New in this book. Same sita , same women , same men glorified Throughout . ⭐/5 - Definitely Not the book which I wanted to Read P.S : This is my personal Opinion and thoughts with the book #forestofenchantment #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #Ramayana
“The heart itself is beyond control. That is its power, and its weakness” 🎭 ThePalaceofIllusions @ ChitraBanerjeeDivakaruni #books #bookworm #bookstagram #bibliophile #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #explorebooks
“People revered his father as the Lion of Punjab, but his mother is the one they should have called Lioness.“ My first book of 2024, and I couldn’t have started with a better book than this one. The portrayal of courage of Rani Jindan Kaur, her hardships, her whole life is just so nicely written. Her life from being a daughter of a dog trainer to being the last queen of Punjab is so beautifully written and told. Chitra Banerjee is such a great storyteller. Her way of writing, makes you completely immersed in the story as if you are transferred back in time and are yourself relieving the moments that have happened. An awesome book to learn about the history of Punjab through eyes of Rani Jindan Kaur and to learn about her strength, courage and resilience. This book is a proof of courage and determination of a woman and a mother who will fight everyone and everything for what she believes is right and for her child. I would recommend it to anyone who loves history of India and would want to know more about it through perspective of a woman. Author: @divakarunichitra Publisher: @harpercollinsin Started on: 02.01.2024 Completed on: 28.01.2024 #1 #thelastqueen #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #firstbookof2024 #ranijindankaur #lastqueenofpunjab #womenperspective #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagram #bookphotography #firstbookoftheyear #bookgram
Summer '24 . . . . #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
There’s so little in life that’s worth it! 🌸 . . . . . #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #novel #history #book #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #reader #bookstagram
. #thelastqueen #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #history #legacy #jindankaur #heartbreak #healing #healingjourney #relationships #abuse #grief #selflove #selflovequotes #breakupquotes #love #lovequotes #quotesaboutlife #quotes #quotestagram #quotestoliveby #inspiration #motivation #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #motivationalquotes #narcissism #quoteoftheday #indianauthors #thegirlinashell #bookstagram
Anju is the daughter of an upper-caste Calcutta family of distinction. Her cousin Sudha is the daughter of the black sheep of that same family. Sudha is startlingly beautiful; Anju is not. Despite those differences, since the day on which the two girls were born, the same day their fathers died--mysteriously and violently--Sudha and Anju have been sisters of the heart. Bonded in ways even their mothers cannot comprehend, the two girls grow into womanhood as if their fates as well as their hearts were merged. But, when Sudha learns a dark family secret, that connection is shattered. For the first time in their lives, the girls know what it is to feel suspicion and distrust. Urged into arranged marriages, Sudha and Anju's lives take opposite turns. Sudha becomes the dutiful daughter-in-law of a rigid small-town household. Anju goes to America with her new husband and learns to live her own life of secrets. When tragedy strikes each of them, however, they discover that despite distance and marriage, they have only each other to turn to. Set in the two worlds of San Francisco and India, this exceptionally moving novel tells a story at once familiar and exotic, seducing readers from the first page with the lush prose we have come to expect from Divakaruni. Sister of My Heart is a novel destined to become as widely beloved as it is acclaimed. #thesisterofmyheart #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #sisterslove #lovepoor #heart #seducing #readersofinsta #secrets #mysterious
📚new #historicalfiction #bookreview 📖 catching up on my #physicaltbr and an older #bookofthemonth selection, #independence by #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni! this is a short but powerful read and good for those wanting to learn more about modern indian history. the story revolves around three sisters in bengal, india at the time of india’s independence from the british in the 1940s. each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the sisters as they go through this tumultuous period of time. the novel is a quick read (under 300 pages) but tackles a lot of difficult topics in a short time frame but inter-religious marriage, to sectarian violence, to breaking gender norms. it’s a lot to absorb. the writing is breezy and easy to follow, although i did find some of the sisters’ stories to be more compelling than others and did not feel as emotionally connected to all of them, which is my main gripe with the novel. otherwise it was great to learn a little bit more about this period of history in india. overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 for me. 🏷: #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #literaryfiction #indianauthors #asianauthors #booklovers #bookphotography
A lazy afternoon 😁 #igdaily #literaturelover #afternoon #booklover #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #leisure
#MetGalaLooksAsBooks series part 2 - @giovannaengelbert Feel free to add your book cover suggestions for this look in the comments. You can also suggest looks that I should cover in the upcoming posts. #MetGala2024 #MetGala #MetLooks #MetLooksAsBooks #MetGalaInspired #bookcovers #bookstagram #greenbookcovers #ThePalaceofIllusions #ChitraBanerjeeDivakaruni #QueenOfDreams #ShadesOfLavender
#Repost from @routinely_aesthetic The Forest of Enchantments - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni . When I was about 4, my grandfather got me a tiny, abridged Ramayan, for I had the surprising ability to read actual sentences by then and make meaning of it. Written in Bengali, with basic drawings in orange and black, that picture-book from all those years ago remained my only reading of the Ramayan. So when I saw this book at an airport during a long layover, it immediately took me back to my first Ramayan, only this time, from Sita’s perspective. . This is yet another retelling of the epic, but more like a summary condensed into a short book instead of an in-depth exploration of the women in Ramayana. The main idea of the book is for Sita to voice out the multiple women always in the periphery, many times misunderstood, and almost always having to bend to a man’s will. Although the author took care to touch upon every woman, from the Mithilan princess Urmila and the women in Ayodhya, to those in the woods - Ahalya, Indira, and finally the ones in Lanka, Sarama, Mandodari, Surpanakha and more. Each strong, powerful and complete, each playing a crucial role, but punished for someone else’s actions and shoved to the side somehow. . The theme of love, its strength and weakness, runs throughout the book. Sometimes complementing duty and righteousness and sometimes an awkward, painful oxymoron to it. But I felt this theme could’ve been better blended in with the plot and not highlighted at every page and paragraph like- hey, this was an example of love. . Overall, a quick read that has a lyrical and free flowing language that makes it easy to engage with the book. . . . #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #forestofenchantments #sita #ramayana #indianliterature #mythologyretelings #womenauthorsofcolor #bookstagram #booktok #bookish #readingcommunity #bookreviewersofinstagram #indianbookreviewer #weekendreading #fictionbookstagram #nostalgic #bookshelf
Above I Use Thought..But Is:.. "Taught" Her That The Best Way To Success... Would Probably Worship You...Not On Top Of My Lord.. But Love You. Read This Book. It's Nice. I See It As A Beautiful Lady With Her Feelings Trapped In Her Brain. Her Heart Was Taught To Be Like That By Someone Else Who Took Her Power To Love And Be Loved Away. #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
Palace of Illusions is a retelling of the Mahabharata through the eyes of Draupadi. The story brings together myth and imagination, breathing new life into this ancient tale. This was the first mythology read, and it definitely was the interesting one. Even though everyone knows about the story of Mahabharata, the book still keeps you hooked until the end. The book is beautifully written telling the story from the birth of Draupadi until her death and every obstacle she faced in her life. 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #palaceofillusions #palaceofillusions📖 #booklover #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #maharashtra #draupadi #panchali #arjun #yudishter #bestbook #hindumythology #bookreview #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #chitrabanerjeedivakarunibookclub #bestbook
Currently Reading 𓍢ִ໋☕️✧˚ ༘ ⋆📖⊹ ˖.𖥔 ݁ ˖ . . The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni . . . . . . #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bookstagram #draupadikrishna #readerforlife #currentlyreading
सीतायण 🌳 #sitayan #sitayana #theforestofenchantments #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #novels #novel #hindi #sahitya #hindisahitya #cinemaphoenixx #beautyofcinema #love #ramsita #sita #ravan #prem
Hello Hello 👋 Recently watched this show #Heeramandi in just one sitting and ofcourse it has to be all jazz and glamour because it's a Sanjay Leela Bhansali's creation. Sharmin Sehgal ruined the show 😭 Did I like it as much as I am fond of Ram Leela for its obvious reasons? NO. But do I also think it still does a phenomenal job in throwing light at the Courtesans Community and Partition time, Lahore and history we don't get to see much? YES. Having said that, the last 2 episodes felt a bit rushed. Like they wanted to finish it in 8 episodes anyhow. The ending of course as many shows these days is open-ended in my opinion, maybe up for another season or just like the very last statement made states history is up to viewers interpretation. Casting, direction, sets, costumes - everything as usual is so top notch. What I did not like was the fact that it started as a revenge story and somehow ended up being all about the freedom movement? The change was very abrupt. While watching the show, the books mentioned in this post were constantly lingering in my mind so here are some of the noticeable recommendations for you!! I've read each of these books and I think they have a very similar vibe and setting as the show. Having said that, the show might not have worked for many and disappointed a bunch of us, but these books sure as hell are worth every minute of your reading time ❤️ Books mentioned: The Jaipur Trilogy by @thealkajoshi Independence by @divakarunichitra The book of Everlasting Things & Remnants of a Separation by @aanch_m Let me know if there's any other movie / show you'd like to me do a similar post on! Or any other books you find fit for this show? Let them in comments below for people to explore new titles 😇 Ciao 💘 . . . . . [Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Netflix India, New webseries, new show recommendations, new book recommendations, Indian partition, Indian authors, Indian books, strong female lead] #netflixindia #sanjayleelabhansali #bollywoodseries #bollywoodmovie #moviesandseries #sonakshisinha
no one likes a nerd yudhisthir smh (also my exams are done clap clap) #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS 🛕🚩 by @divakarunichitra of course almost everyone has seen mahabharat at some age in their lifetime but what if someone tells you specifically what it looks through the eyes of Draupadi how it hailed over her and what she had gone through So this is the book which tells you the story through Draupadi’s end every chapter of this book brings you a different colour of human nature from Drona’s parental sacrifice to Kunti’s selfishness from Yudhishtir’s religiousness towards his dharma to Bheeshma’s value for his vows for not even a second you’d be able to put this book down the author has written it so religiously, it’d feel as if you’re truly present in that age, you’d feel like you’re a part of the story i’ve never read any historical or mythological fiction but after reading this book i’m surely looking forward to read another the most heart crushing part of the story is the love in Karna’s and Draupadi’s heart for each other that they never been able to confess the most interesting fact is the short stories each chapter brings you along with the mainline. #mahabharat #thepalaceofillusions #draupadi #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #mythology #mythologicalfiction #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #historicalfiction #booksbooksbooks #bookreview
Taken back to the times of the powerful Panchali famously known as draupadi, I was shocked at how the writer has portrayed a woman’s heart and mind so so well. It’s unique, it’s feminist and in @vogueindia ‘s words, it’s daring. From Panchaali’s birth, her companionship with her brother,her friendship with the all knowing & ever loving Krishna, her marriage to the pandavas, her secret attraction towards a man to her sacrifice, her humiliation and her constant quarrel with her own fate.🦚 All of it is just simply there in this one character’s life and this one book. For the readers to experience. I mean what a luxury! It’s truly unbelievable how much I related to a woman who existed centuries ago. I think it’s because no matter how many roles women play for others in their one life- a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife or a friend…at some particular point in all our lives, womanhood becomes our strongest identity!!! 🦢 And if there’s one thing that proves this, it’s this piece of work. The Palace of Illusions by @divakarunichitra Raw, powerful and sensitive. . . . . . #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #read #reading #readmorebooks #booksbooksbooks #india #indianculture #novels
Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a mesmerizing journey into ancient India, where love, betrayal, and myth collide in a richly imagined world of opulence and intrigue. Through elegant prose and vivid imagery, Divakaruni crafts a captivating tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. #chitrabanerjeedivakarunibookclub #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #book #mahabharatham_quotes #love #beautiful #author
🕵️🏻♂️Book Title Scavenger Hunt🕵️🏻♂️ On @an.affair.with.books recommendation, taking inspiration from eranehreads to do this interesting and quite thoughtful challenge! The prompts: 💡A book with a one word title💡 📝Independence by #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni 💡A book with a colour in the title💡 📝Red, White and Royal Blue by #caseymcquiston 💡A book with a number in the title💡 📝The Seven Year Slip by #ashleyposton 💡A book with a name in the title💡 📝The Sweeney Sisters by #liandolan 💡A book with “light” in the title💡 📝All the Light We Cannot See by #anthonydoerr 💡A book with “death” in the title💡 📝The Deadly Dozen by #anirbanbhattacharyya 💡A book with an animal in the title💡 📝A Feast for Crows by #georgerrmartin 💡A book with a long title (6 or more words)💡 📝A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by #roseanneabrown If you see this post on your feed consider yourself tagged!! Don’t forget to tag me! Will love to see all your posts on this one of a kind book challenge! #scavengerhunt #bookstagram #bookchallenge #bookrecommendations #bookworm #lovebooks #reading #bookgrammer
"Independence" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni takes you into the heart of India's independence movement, not through grand political rallies, but through the lives of three sisters in the Bengali village of Ranipur. Priya, Deepa, and Jamini, each unique and yearning for their own kind of independence, grapple with the social constraints and partition that tears their world apart. The beauty of the novel lies in its portrayal of the sisters' bond. Divakaruni weaves a tapestry of their hopes, dreams, and fears as they navigate societal expectations and a nation in turmoil. The historical backdrop of partition adds depth to the story. Divakaruni doesn't shy away from depicting the violence and displacement that unfolded during this dark period. We see the sisters grapple with the sudden religious divide that rips through their community and families. Independence is more than just a historical novel. It's a story about resilience, the yearning for freedom, and the enduring power of family. It will leave you pondering the complexities of independence, both personal and national. Independence is a captivating novel that offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in history. Once again the richness of Divakaruni's storytelling shines through. A must read not only for fans of Divakaruni's writing but also for those who enjoy the richness of language and a good story. A captivating read by one of my favorite authors. Rating: 4/5 ✨ @divakarunichitra
Born From Fire - Draupadi I'm feeling lucky to experience the very told mythic tale of Mahabharata from a different angle. Couldn't stop crying till the last page. We all know the great story of Mahabharata but this one mesmerized me more from top to end. Draupadi was such a elegant, gorgeous and pretty woman. From her childhood to her death it was full of intense incidents. I never knew that Draupadi secretly admired Karna. Even karna had feelings for her. I loved how beautifully author described every details of the extraordinary 'palace of illusion' - draupadi's palace. I will think about Draupadi for months now. I don't know what but this story awakened something inside me. Thanks to the author @divakarunichitra for this beautiful book THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS. 4.7⭐/5⭐ #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #thepalaceofillusions #draupadi #mahabharat #bookstagramindia #bookrecommendations #booklife #booktube #book #bookphotography #bookreview #bookme #bookaesthetic #bookcommunity #books #bookaddict #bookclub #booknerd #bookstagram #bookcover #bookillustration #bookworm #bookdesign #bookblogger #bookkeeping #bookpost #booklovers #bookinstagram #bookart #booknow
“I thought that if lokas existed at all, good women would surely go to one where men were not allowed so that they could be finally free of male demands.” This book is the narration of the epic tale of Mahabharata, but from the perspective of Draupadi(Panchaali)- The one who was born for the purpose of changing history. The narration by Draupadi gives a new perspective to the story and shows all the emotions felt by her- rage, shame, desire, love, confusion and ego. Even though we know the whole story, we keep reading it because the narration keeps you stuck and you need to know what surprise the next page holds. P.S: The book is getting adapted into a movie and I can’t wait. Author: @divakarunichitra Publisher: @panmacmillanindia Started on: 19.11.2023 Completed on: 19.12.2023 #21 #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #lastbookof2023 #mahabharat #draupadi #womenperspective #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagram #bookphotography #twentiethbookoftheyear #bookgram
Name: Independence Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Genre: Historical Fiction Ratings: 4/5 “ May the soul of my master, my leader, my father rest not in peace, not in peace, but . . . let the powder of his bones be so charged with life and inspiration that the whole of India will, after his death, be revitalized into the reality of freedom. My father, do not rest. Do not allow us to rest.“ This book is an emotion for me. The backdrop of Calcutta, the streets described so well, the food I can literally taste while reading, the people whom I can vividly envision.. so many pages as I turned them have wanted me to go back to the place that is so close to my heart ♥️ The author is one of the best Indian authors iv come across. It isn’t just the writing but the way she casts it picks characters and draws their story each revolving around them with so much life, I have been left pondering over them for days even after I finished it. Also adore the author for how distinctively she builds such powerful female personalities. All the books I have read by her ( 3 so far! ) speak volumes of women in the history/ mythology who have delivered ever so small or large contributions to our country/ culture/ religion ! Here as well we come across three sisters ( Priya, Deepa, Jamini ) who have their individual stories of hardships woven with hope and courage! How the era of pre-independence was not just a fight for the country but an entire struggle against personal loss, loss of love, loss of dreams .. but they survived ! The chapters are comparatively shorter, the writing like I said much simpler to read, the story building just so progressive as you go.. loved the book and totally recommend 👍 #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bookreview #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #bookrecommendation #booksbooksbooks #books #bookstagramfeature #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #indianauthors #bookphotography #bookphoto #read #read #readmorebooks #readmore #harpercollins #harpercollinsindia @harpercollinsin #instagood #instabook #instabooks #booktok #booktube #bookblogger #bookblog
Book Recommendation Book : The palace of illusions Author : @divakarunichitra Since childhood I have heard different versions of Mahabharata from different people. First of all I must say I'm in love with Chitra Banerjee's writing and I'm adding her to my auto buy authors.❤️ The palace of Illusions is a captivating retelling of the ancient Indian Epic, the Mahabharata through Draupadi's perspective. Panchali is often overlooked in traditional tellings but in this version through her eyes, we experience the theme of love , duty, power and sacrifice. 🫶 What I liked most about this book is the portrayal of Draupadi's character. She is shown as a strong woman in a world where female voices are often unheard of. We got to see and understand her struggles and emotions. Reading this book was like stepping into a magical world filled with palaces, battles and Gods. Even though the story is based on Indian mythology, its letters are universal and can be understood by all. Whether you like mythology, history or just looking for a good story. It is for you. It's for each one of you. It's a must read for anyone and everyone . #books #booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer #booknerd #thepalaceofillusions #draupadi #krishna #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bookish #bookishlove #bibliophile #bookblogger #review #booklover #bookrecommendations
Re-reading ‘Sister of my Heart” to just break myself all over again and heal by the end of it all. A tale full of emotions and magic, that after few chapters I just held the book close to me and cried for Sudha and Anju, two sisters bound by fate and love. A book as tragic yet so hopeful, painfully beautiful that you can’t help marvel the mastery of writing by Mrs. Banerjee. A dramatically woven plot, beautifully articulated that garbs you into its tantalized world filled with countless feelings and make believe fascinating old tales. The world of Sudha and Anju born on the same ill-fated night filled with stories narrated to them by their Pishi, Nalini-maa Sundh’s mother teaching them old age traditions and religious studies with motivation given by Gouri-maa Anju’s mother. Then there is the fun side too gallivanting cinema halls at school times, applying lipsticks, falling in love and being in each other’s company just to unravel some family mysteries. The plot takes turn when Sudha and Anju grow into adulthood and follow their ‘wifely duties’ with sacrifice, expectations and misfortune of an Indian women. After which the sisterly love between the two women is the only magical balm left in this bittersweet fairy tale. This book has the power to transport you into a wonderland just to smash the reality at your face. Although it has a smoothing way of narration gliding on the sheets that it’s almost poetic to conclude that @divakarunichitra is a master of her craft. #bookreview #weekendread #bookblogger #bookstagram #thelastleaf_24 #postoftheday #potd #bookphotography #bookeasthetic #bookworm #igreads #readingcommunity #bookclub #bookobsessed #booksandtea #bookshelf #booklover #readingchallenge #newbooks #2023 #bookaddict #bookobsessed #bookclubofinstagram #sisterofmyheart #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
Now available✨️ #theforestofenchantments #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bookworms #readersparadise #bookstoreonline #bookstore #booklover
In my history books I have never come across the story of Rani Jidan, why? Was it because she didn’t play an important role enough to prove her name is eligible to find it in the pages of our history or may be the history is largely written by men and women remain unknown. As rightly quoted in the book, “Until the Lions have their own Historians, the history will always glorify the hunter.” Chinua Achebe #thelastqueen #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #bookcollection #booksofinstagram #2024readingchallenge #2024readinglist #readingchallenge2024 #2024reading #booksbooksbooks #bookgirl #bookgeek #ilovereading #goodreads
4.5/5 Anju is the daughter of an upper-caste Calcutta family; her cousin Sudha is the daughter of the black sheep of the family. Sudha is as beautiful, tenderhearted, and serious as Anju is plain, whip-smart, and defiant. yet since the day they were born, Sudha and Anju have been bonded in ways even their mothers cannot comprehend. FROM Goodreads #mustread #Goodread #books #sisterofmyheart #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #strongmenandwomen #sisters #bookaddict #bookaholic #easyread #virtualbookclub #book #bookstagram #keepreading #enjoyreading #readingisfun #audiblebooks #audible #bookworm #bookshelf #mybookshelf #bookmark #bookish #booklover #lovereading #fantasia #bookclub #read #booksofinstagram #enjoyreading #confidence
BOOK REVIEW 🌟4.5/5 🌼It left my heart wrenched and in sorrow. It could be because I am connected to the cultural legacy. The glories of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh are known in every Sikh household. The name is not alien to children in any Sikh household. He was/is indeed the greatest King of Punjab. His reign allowed his subjects to be protected from the British and any foreign threatening power. However, this is the story of Mai Jindan Kaur who was as courageous as a Sikh woman is thought to be. 🌼I think for some time, I will be sad whenever I will remember this read. and it was not how I felt during the first half, but the second half, the falling of the empire of Punjab, witnessing Punjab falling into shreds after the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is like witnessing a child getting rid of his rights, abused, tortured, disgraced, violated after being Orphan. It still wrenches my heart to speak of it. Maharani Jindan Kaur accepted her shortcomings which she believed contributed to the eventual fall of the kingdom. It saddens my heart to even think of what she went through, separated from every being she ever loved. 🌼I was sometimes perplexed about what I felt while reading the book, as I am not that deeply conversed with the personal life of Maharani Jindan Kaur, so I left it as it was. I am intrigued to look deeper into the characters’ lives, their roles in history, and other sources of history to quench my queries. After reading this book, I am feeling a need to research more into the era and everything the book covered and did not cover. 🌼As I recap her life and what the kingdom which thrived gloriously under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh had reduced to, my heart is saddened. 🌼So yes, this book has left me Sad. 🌼That being said, Chitra Banerjee’s writing has once again not failed. This is my third book of hers and is just as magical as the last two. She knows exactly how to incite illustrations into readers’ imaginations which are just as clear and magical as these need to be. I completed the book in three days.
5/5 🌟 i owned this book for almost 2 years but only managed to read it after a friend borrowed it, read it and hyped it up for me and boy did it live up to the hype. Reading the Mahabharat from Draupadi's point of view was a total game changer. Highly recommend🌻 #palaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #recommendation #books #aapi #aapimonth
Price with free shipping All sold #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #umbertoeco #library #oldbookdepot #prelovedbooks #booklover #booksindia #bookreaders #books #bookgram #bookshelf #book #booklovers #booknerd #bookstagram #booklove #bookscommunity #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #bookclub #bookreader #biblophile #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #instabook
what’s your favourite book by her? #seedzclub #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni
@divakarunichitra I am falling in love with every page, every word.. what a piece of writing this book is ♥️ Never thought anyone could write #mahabharata this way ✍🏼 #readwithrev #mahabharat #draupadi #indianmythology #mythology #quotes #quotesaboutlife #quotestoliveby #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #mustreads #mustreadbooks #readingrecommendations #bookstagram #bookstafamindia
La joven de las especias. Otra de esas películas que YouTube me está recomendado. Pese a que no es mi género predilecto el título me pareció interesante y me lancé a visionarla. Tilo es una bella joven formada en el antiguo y mágico arte de las especias. Ordenada con poderes especiales para ayudar a los que acuden a ella, pues tiene la habilidad para sentir los problemas de los demás y visualizar su futuro y pasado. Trabaja en San Francisco, en una pequeña tienda llamada El Bazar de las Especias, donde guiada por los consejos de sus especias, encuentra el remedio perfecto para todo el que cruza su puerta. Pero para que sus poderes funcionen, debe obedecer siempre tres simples, pero estrictas reglas: sólo debe utilizar las especias para ayudar a los demás, no debe tocar nunca la piel de otra persona y nunca debe abandonar la tienda. Cuando Doug, un guapo y enigmático arquitecto tiene un accidente de moto frente a su tienda Tilo tiene que curarle las heridas y su vida cambia para siempre. Por primera vez experimenta el verdadero amor y comienza a cuestionar su existencia: ¿la vida constará de algo que no sea ayudar a los demás? Tilo conoce las reglas y sus especias le advierten que se aleje. Pero ¡ayyy!, ¿quién puede luchar contra el amor de dos seres que encuentran su hilo rojo? No es una película pasional ni con escenas tórridas. Tampoco con ese lenguaje tan procaz de estos tiempos actuales. Al contrario, Tilo me hizo recordar a una perfecta Jane Austen a lo india. Prácticamente vive bajo el dictado de las especias. Hecho este un poco fantasioso. No he leído críticas positivas de esta película, pero a mí me ha parecido entretenida y con un punto encantador y seductor por parte de la protagonista, aunque obvio es que peca de floja. Va de misteriosa y onírica, pero algo cargante. Para pasar un rato entretenido está bien. A no ser que seas una Jane Austen que estarás especiada en tu propia salsa. #labibliotecahiperborea #LaJovenDeLasEspecias #ChitraBanerjeeDivakaruni #AishwaryaRai #DylanMcDermott #India #GranBretaña #EstadosUnidos #Cine #CineRomantico #Drama #MeGustaelCine #ReseñaCinematografica
Tried writing review here but couldn’t fit .. there is so much to say about this book.. so gave up and posted in post.. in one line I say I just loved this book.. . . . . #palaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #booksbooksbooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreviewblogger #booknerd #bookaddict #indianauthors #readersofinstagram
📚Book 31 of ‘24📚 The forest of enchantments By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Rating:⭐️ . . . . . #2024reads #fiction #theforestofenchantments #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #sita #indianmythology #india #fantasy #historicalbooks #retellings #indianliterature #adult #feminism
Price with free shipping 1. Doctor Zhivago - (sold) 2. Handmaid Tale - (sold) 3. Palace of Illusions - (sold) 4. Great House - ₹199 5. Jaya Mahabharata - (sold) 6. Lonely Castle in Mirror - (sold) #margaretatwood #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #library #oldbookdepot #prelovedbooks #booklover #booksindia #bookreaders #books #bookgram #bookshelf #book #booklovers #booknerd #bookstagram #booklove #bookscommunity #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #bookclub #bookreader #biblophile #bookworm #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #booksbooksbooks #instabook
What a beautiful journey this book was..🥺🌻🧿 #books #bookstagram #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #palaceofillusions #favouritebook #reading #dailydoseofhappiness #love #ramayan #ram
The Forest of Enchantments book by Chitra Banerjee Divakrauni doesn't fail to enchant you, especially when you have always felt the urge to read a mythological epic from the POV of a woman. As a kid, I sometimes slept with my grandmother in her room. She had a stack of books near her bedside, out of which she would read one or another at night just before sleeping. Most of those books were religious or mythological stories or epic tales. This was way before I even had a phone to doom scroll or chat, so naturally, I also picked the habit of reading a book from her collection. One such book was a collection of mini epic tales. I have a faint memory of reading Ahalaya's story. I was furious with the injustice and unfairness of Gautam rishi for turning her wife into stone for having no fault other than not recognizing another man (Lord Indra) disguised as her husband. I imagined how wronged, misunderstood, and furious she must have felt. So, whenever I pick a historical epic told from the POV of the female character, the little girl in me is glad to get a glimpse of the world as told by a woman. Apart from being a fantastic retelling of the enigma of Sita and all the female characters of Ramayana (including Ahalya), the book also delves into the different aspects of love and our own understanding and interpretation of it. Throughout the book, the author, through Sita, educates readers about the complicated emotion of love. Love, a simple four letter word, but how it changes, grows, and outgrows throughout our lives. Somehow, this change seems trifling, but it is anything but that. We find love to be freeing, and yet sometimes it feels like an obligation. The author, throughout her narrative of Ramayana, talks about the contradiction of love, and yet when she finally gives the last of many definitions of love, she says there is no love without forgiveness. And somehow, it feels that this is the root essence of Ramayana. #TheForestofEnchantments #ChitraBanerjeeDivakaruni #bookstagram #instareads #books #booksbywomen
"Forest of Enchantments" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a mesmerizing retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective. Divakaruni beautifully weaves together elements of love, sacrifice, and empowerment, offering a fresh and poignant portrayal of one of Hindu mythology's most iconic characters. With the incredible writing style and rich imagery, the author takes you on an emotional journey through Sita's life, exploring her struggles, resilience, and unwavering spirit amidst adversity. The book has made an impact on me not only as a reader but as a woman quote from the book: "Do not mistake silence for weakness. Remember that sometimes the air stills before the onset of a hurricane." Genre: Fiction, Mythology, Retelling Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Review by: @aditea.archives AD4 #literature #literaryclub #literary #bookrecommendations #bookgram #bollygeek #bookreview #alfaaz #alfaazrecommends #fypシ #fyp #trend #NIFTJodhpur #niftjodhpur #nift #theforestofenchantments #fiction #mythology #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #chitra
“Can our actions change our destiny? Or are they like sand piled against the breakage in a dam, merely delaying the inevitable?” #1729 #varc #mba #bschool #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #book #fiction #booklover #bookclub #palaceofillusions #catpreparation #quants #mentors #gdpi #dilr #lucknow #cat2204 #lucknowcatcoaching #catprep #gmat #gmatprep #iimcalcutta #xlrijamshedpur #hrm #quantsprep #ngpc #lucknowuniversity #scmhrd #indianauthors
Are you someone who used to devour books at an ungodly pace in your childhood and teen years? I'm talking reading on the bus to school, with a flashlight under the covers at night, every minute between classes and before dinner and at social events you found boring? Me too! 😄 It's hard to maintain that pace, or even the habit of reading at all when adulthood is so chaotic and demanding and often completely draining. If you've been wanting to get back to this habit for a long time but somehow it's just not happening, here are some books I think can help you remember why you fell in love with books in the first place! 📚 These are some books that helped me get over that "reading slump" when I was super busy, overwhelmed or exhausted. There's a little here for everyone - historical fiction, fantasy, alternate worlds, romance, tragedy, scandal, time travel, essays.....and loads of joy! What books have helped you get back to reading? Let's help each other out! Drop your recommendations down below 👇🏽 #bookrecommendations #booklover #bookstagram #readmorebooks #readingtime #librariesofinstagram #bookcommunity #recommendedreads #bookclub #readinglist #goodreads #indianauthors #literature #fictionwriting #readersgonnaread #themidnightlibrary #thetattooistofauschwitz #thesevenhusbandsofevelynhugo #thetwentiethwife #thepalaceofillusions #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #tinybeautifulthings #cherylstrayed #beforethecoffeegetscold #thebookthief #markuszusak #therapistrecommended
Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! For the month of May, I picked out 7 books from my TBR list that I am planning to read throughout the month. They are: 1. 𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕒𝕟𝕕: 𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕌𝕡 𝔸𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟 𝕚𝕟 𝔹𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕎𝕙𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝔸𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒 by 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐞 2. 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕖 𝕂𝕖𝕡𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕆𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕤 by 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐦 3. 𝕂𝕚𝕞 𝕁𝕚𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕘, 𝔹𝕠𝕣𝕟 1982 by 𝐂𝐡𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐦-𝐉𝐨𝐨 4. 𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕀 ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕐𝕠𝕦 by Celeste Ng 5. 𝕀𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 by 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐞𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐢 6. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕖𝕗𝕥𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟 by 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐰𝐨𝐤 7. ℍ𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝔽𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕤 by 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐦 #asianamericanandpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamerican #asianamericanauthors #monthofmay #bitingthehand #julialee #whatwekepttoourselves #nancyjooyounkim #kimjiyoungborn1982 #chonamjoo #everythinginevertoldyou #celesteng #independence #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #theleftoverwoman #jeankwok #happinessfalls #angiekim #bookofthemonth #bookofthemonthsubscription #botm #asianamericanhistory #asianamericanbooks #bookstagram #aapi #aapiheritagemonth #aapimonth
Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. -Chinua Achebe #hostoricalfiction #newread #bookstagram #nightreading #bookishfeatures #unitedbookstagram #review #bookrecommendations #bookishpost #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #thelastqueen#
Humbled and honoured to present my out of thebox book "English Hinglish "to Author #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni ji.
If you love DIGGING into craft, @janetburroway is fur you. My human, Tess, recommends IMAGINATIVE WRITING & WRITING FICTION. Burroway unpacks brilliant passages from pupular writers such such as @therealmargaretatwood @rogerbonair @dchaon @the_real_billy_collins #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni @teolindagersao @bhamby29 @robinhemleyauthor @gishjen @jill.mccorkle @joycecaroloates3146 @zzpacker56 @robertpinskyauthor @davidsedarisbooks & @ayeletw . These books are paw-fect for teaching. #writersofinstagram #booksonwriting #books #bookstagram #writingcommunity #goodreads #tuesdaymotivation #fiction #poetry #creativenonfiction #drama #novel #amwriting
Over time, I've come to feel that we still have a lot to learn from history. While this opinion is widely held, it is sometimes linked to another: putting a high importance on history may leave us all locked in the past. That may be true, but I believe that reading history helps us recall a common aspect of world order, regardless of location: the people themselves serve as the core. Everything matters and makes sense because humans are engaged. People who feel, love, and want to survive or rescue everything - their family, tribe, or just oneself. Historical fiction is the long-lasting representation of the same. -- Independence was a challenging book to review. While the narrative is set around India's independence, a historical period that has been extensively covered in popular fiction, the staging is magnificent. Not in the traditional sense, however. The plot's grandeur stems from the variety of storylines that exist within the larger one. There are various characters, including the three sisters Deepa, Priya, and Jamini, their neighbour Amit and his father Somnath, the sisters' parents, the doctor and his nephew Raza, and more. While some of their lives are tied by blood and some by aspirations, every desire holds a different meaning to each of them. While Deepa crosses lines even in the times of segregation, Jamini searches for simplicity and mere visibility to those around her. Priya aims to become a doctor for the greater good, for her father’s dream that is now hers, while Amit looks for living a life with the love of his life. Each of them, however, is united by hope and a wish for peace in the midst of bloodshed and shared cries. A narrative with such a strong emotional impact requires an expression that matches its wavelength. In this way, the book has left a mark. The text is emotionally explosive, detailed, and embellished with passages from powerful songs that condense aspects of the characters' interior intricacies and provide direction for the story ahead. I honestly didn’t want this book to end and yet, couldn’t put it down. Definitely one my favourite reads of 2024. ✨
From First Read to Forever Favorite 📚 Ever discover an author you LOVE, but their debut wasn't your fave? Swipe through to see my "first book vs. ultimate fave" by some amazing authors! ➡️ 1️⃣ A Thousand Splendid Suns vs. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: Both stunning, but The Kite Runner stole my heart! 💔 2️⃣ Beautiful World, Where Are You vs. Normal People by Sally Rooney: Heartbreakingly relatable, but Normal People hit me harder! 🥺 3️⃣ The Forest of Enchantments vs. The Palace of Illusion by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: Magical realism at its finest, but The Palace of Illusion left me spellbound! ✨ 4️⃣ The Sun & Her Flowers vs. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur: Both poetic and powerful, but Milk and Honey is my go-to for feels! 💖 5️⃣ Do Epic Shit vs. Get Epic Shit Done by Ankur Warikoo: Both inspiring, but Get Epic Shit Done is my current productivity mantra! 🚀 Qotd- 🌸 What about you? Do you have an author whose debut wasn't your ultimate fave but the sequel just blew your mind? Tell me in the comments! 👇 Follow for more bookish content Hashtags 🔖 #firstvsfavorite #firstsandfavourites #authorlove #khaledhosseini #chitrabanerjeedivakaruni #sallyrooney #rupikaur #ankurwarikoo #athousandsplendidsuns #thekiterunner #theforestofenchantements #thepalaceofillusion #beautifulworldwherearyou #normalpeople #thesunandherflowers #milkandhoney #doepicshit #getepicshitdone #bookrecommendations #mustread #diversebook #chandigarhbookstagram #delhibookstafam #bookstagrammerindia #bookstagramkenya #readingcommunity #unitedbookstagram #newbookstagram #newbooksragrammer #bookstagramcommunity
|| Book Review || Independence - Chitra Banerjee Divakurni Haven't read any of her books before this one. Though she is a famous author & I've heard about her a lot and always wanted to read her book. And finally I read this one. The story is about survival, revenge, jealousy, persistence & above all it is a story of love. This story revolves around the years 1946-1948 of India we can easily guess that by the title, we all know that, this period is very sensitive as well as crucial for us. This is the story of the family of Nabakumar & his wife Bina and their three daughters Deepa, Jamini and Priya. The story started with a scene, where Priya and her neighbour Somnath, who is also Nabakumar's childhood friend, are playing chess and pulling each other's leg. Somnath has a son, named Amit and a widow sister Manorama. You can guess that, they are in very good terms with Nabakumar's family. Amit and Priya are best friends. They share all their thoughts and feelings with each other. Their bond keeps reminding me of 'Lalita and Sekhar' from "Parineeta" by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. In the story, Nabakumar is an honest doctor, who is very passionate and kind hearted. He treats poor people without any fees, though her wife, Bina sometimes opposes this, because they're not financially well established, but her actions speak otherwise. He also works in a chamber at Kolkata, with his other muslim friend. In the year of 1946, Amit, Nabakumar & his family came to Kolkata for a visit. After this, they all get involved in a tragedy of riots, and with this the story goes by. The storytelling is soo wholesome, the story mainly unfolds from three different points of view, Deepa, Jamini and Priya. Deepa is beautiful, simple and Bina's favourite. Jamini is crippled in one leg, wants attention all the time & is smart somehow. And last but not least, Nabakumar's favourite, Priya is passionate, honest & stubborn.With three of them, the story goes on. The author perfectly portrays the effects of riots upon the common people. She also mentioned Sarojini Naidu, who played an important role in this story as well as in the Indian independence movement. Contd in the comments ⬇️