What do You think about Tamarind Woman (2002)?
(Actual rating = 2.75 stars)Tamarind Woman is the tale of Saroja, a sharp-tongued woman who marries an older, taciturn man who works for the Indian railroad system. The story is told from the perspective of her older daughter Kamini and her own perspective. Rau Badami is a great writer, but I didn't think she told a great story in this book. It's richly detailed, but I feel like the characters don't really develop, and I didn't feel as though I understood their motivation for acting as they did. For example, why is Saroja so sharp-tongued? The reader never learns, and I felt the book suffered for that.
—Rachel
I found this book in a used book store and grabbed it having previously read and enjoyed Anita Rau Badmi's Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? Sadly this story didn't not live up to my expectations. Following an Indian mother and daughter and telling each woman's story, Tamarind Mem fell really short. I felt little to no connection with any of the characters and, truthfully, found them all to grow a bit wearing after time. There wasn't one character with whom I felt any connection nor did I feel any desire to pick to novel up each time, but I gave myself a little pep talk and plodded through. The novel didn't really redeem itself, and I imagine that it won't take me long to have forgotten everything I've just read. Unfortunately lacklustre, Tamarind Mem is a swing and a miss from an author I know to be talented. The only reason this forgettable novel gets two stars instead of one, is that every now and then, a hint of the author's poetic skill with words would poke through with a glittering phrase or delicate description. These would all too suddenly be swept away by a clunky tale full of bland or distasteful players and a disjointed series of events.
—Carolyn Gerk
I really enjoyed the narrative thread of this novel. I liked reading from the daughter's perspective (Kamini) and then from the mother's (Saroya). It reminded that though you think you know someone and how they feel, in reality, we only know pieces of that person and their story. You have to listen with your heart and to want to know the story in order to really hear it. I learned this from this book--and I was engaged in the story and the characters throughout. None of them were wholly one thing or another: they were woven out of a variety of threads by Badami--and that made for a satisfying and, to me, fulfilling story and message. I had the feeling at the end of the novel that I really did not want it to end yet. The story was relatable, and it made me think--as did the characters. I would definitely recommend it, especially for those who enjoy novels set in India.
—Amy
