
International Book Group – The Palace of Illusions
The International Book Group at West Falmouth Library is a volunteer-led group that meets on the first Wednesday of each month 3:45-5pm. Selections have either foreign settings or foreign authors, usually both. New members are always welcome! Annual registration is requested to receive important communications about schedule or location changes. Register here for International Book Group. Meetings are both in-person and on Zoom.
Taking us back to a time that is half history, half myth and wholly magical, bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives voice to Panchaali, the fire-born heroine of the Mahabharata, as she weaves a vibrant retelling of an ancient epic saga.
Praise for The Palace of Illusions: “A radiant entree into an ancient mythology virtually unknown to the Western world. . . . Remarkable.” —Houston Chronicle
“A mythic tale brimming with warriors, magic and treachery. . . . Divakaruni’s sentences dazzle; the images she creates are masterful.” —Los Angeles Times
The discussion schedule is as follows:
9/3/2025 | Out of Darkness, Shining Light | Petina Gappah | Africa |
10/1/2025 | Miss Benson’s Beetle | Rachel Joyce | New Caledonia |
11/5/2025 | The Palace of Illusions | Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni | India |
12/3/2025 | The Sand Child | Tahar Ben Jelloun | Morocco |
1/7/2026 | The Green Road | Anne Enright | Ireland |
2/4/2026 | Midaq Alley | Najīb Maḥfūẓ | Cairo |
3/4/1936 | Birnam Wood | Eleanor Catton | New Zealand |
4/1/2026 | Infinite Country | Patricia Engel | Colombia |
5/6/2026 | The Return: Fathers, Sons, and the Land In Between | Hisham Matar | Cairo |
6/3/2026 | Hurricane Season | Fernanda Melchor | Mexico |