~~::~~ A zesty tale about Mystery of Spices ~~::~~. Review on Mistress of Spices, The - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I finished this book some time back but work didn’t allow me to write the review. I will try and narrate the review in Tilo’s style and as per qualities of her spices which resemble to stories in book…

.:. Tilottama / Tilo .:.

 Essence of TIL seed,life-giver, restorer of health and hope. But also… Name of Chief Dancer in Indra’s court who was not suppose to love anything or any one apartfrom DANCE *

This is Tilo. The Mistress of Spices. The story is about her journey from Nayantara to Tilo to something more…. She was born in some other dimension of time with special powers. But her powers were not channelized for good till she meets “the Old One”. In Tilo’s hands Spices sing…So She comes to a spice store in Oakland, USA to mitigate pain in people’s life.

.:. Lenka(Chillies) .:.

Most potent spice and signifies danger

Here is Tilo, self content and helping out people in her way. She is very happy in her life when the hurricane struck her life in form of “her lonely American – Raven”. She has all the desires of mortal human body and wants to experience them. He is making his way in her life and she can not / does not want to stop him.

What will happen now? Why Raven came to the Store? What brings them close? Will she get her love or she has to choose in between Raven andSpices?

~ Parallel Sories~

.:. Turmeric(Halud) .:.

 Spice acting as shield for heart’s sorrows and hope for rebirth

Story of a woman named Lalita who is befuddled between her aspirations and her duties. Whether Tilo will be able to help her to find her Destiny?

One more parallel story of Gita and her family… Their differences and love. Tilo standing by them and experiencing their sorrows and happiness with them.

.:. Cinnamon(Dalchini) .:.

Friend maker, Giving helping hand to all those who need help.

Jaggi, a Panjabi Boy who is all alone in American school… What will be Tilo’s Take on this?

I hope I have not told too much about the book but cant help it, It’s just wonderful book

~ My take on Book~

.:. Lotus Root .:.

Love… It’s keeper of love and brings inside beauty out on surface.

This is out and out a very nice love story but it has many different shades to it. The writer has a style which will make you believe each and every magical power she has written in the Book. It also keeps you guessing about the End of the book. You are sure about one ending and then suddenly it completely changes the tracks and you are surprised with the outcome.

Divakaruni makes Tilo’s character so strong that you actually feel all her emotions, her love, arrogance, care and even her helplessness. Power is Weakness. This statement in book has described Tilo’s life. Her fight to strike a balance between two most important things in her life. Her struggle between her duties and her needs and wants.

Parallel stories are also narrated well. I personally likes Lalita’s story. It gives the glimpse of dark side of NRI marriages. We see few unwanted and neglected issues which are of utmost concern discussed in book.

Story of Raven has its own edge to it. It’s wonderfully narrated and keeps you hooked to it as it takes high and low emotional ride.

Three Cheers to Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni!

Just amazing work done by her. Her writing style may not be liked by every one as it starts bit slow but her dramatic shifts between stories made it an interesting read for me. I was hooked on to it till I finished the book.

This is not a Cinderella story but then… It has got charm of it’s own.

Thanks to Debarti and Smita for encouraging me to read it.

Awaiting your comments and rating on this.

• Seera