Oleander Girl: A Novel

The author writes in a true voice.I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. Post-9/11 figures into some of the direction of the story. Threaded through it, it’s easy to see the richness of history and tradition. It’s not a beach read, and that’s a compliment.

Dr. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Oleander GirlThe story is about a teenage girl in love, from a very traditional Bengali Hindu family.Korobi is from a traditional well versed and well cultured Bengali family, who was taken care by her grandparents as her parents were not alive. There is a mystery surrounding the death of her parents but, Korobi feels the presence of her mother many times.Korobi is chosen to be Rajat's mate and the elders celebrate their engagement with great show and pomp, specially so as Rajat was followed by his ex wherever he went...Rajat's family is invested in the the business of fine arts, where they sell classical art works, from classical to modern paintings.The cultural background of their family is very modern and in a way the story goes until now, it is like a marriage proposal with traditional and modern cultures.This young girly story all of a sudden leaps into the most interesting, and thrilling story, that is as much a joy to read as it is totally absorbing. Going deeper into the heart of the Oleander Girl, it occurs that the only other narrative of this kind, and story is written by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, in his beautiful story telling in Gora. Dr. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni also hails from Bengal, where the cultural heritage is as great as India the great, India the Ancient to India the modern spreading the tender and fresh fragrance of her Oleander Girl!However, unlike Gora, the story goes beyond that point and probes into the future, to realize her roots. It is as much a description of incidents that affected human lives since 9/11 as it is a narrative of the lives of individuals woven into this novel.The search for her roots draws into several incidents. Some of them very unpleasant.It takes an unexpected turn, teasing the readers and the stereotypical thinking and addresses the issue of interracial relations at a different parameter, from those of the offspring of such relations and the cultural mileu they are born into and cultural distance in which they are raised.However, the question remains with the reader, that the society is still not ready to accept the different perspectives in assimilating things that reckon change in society. Why was the daughter not given away by the person who should have, knowing their duties and responsibilities..does that mean the society is still not ready for the real change the writer intended to bring in, and they had to compromise their observation and imagination, to meet the expectation of the society, and ethnicities, norms, mores and folklore?The communal problems in Calcutta, high end Bengali cuisine, haute couture have been knitted very well by the author.I think those who read it would want to keep going back to the book, until they get the story under their skin and still would want to indulge in reading for the sake of getting the essence into their being..The book, Oleander Girl, written by Dr. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Professor of Creative Writing, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA, is a Simon and Schuster Publication and is released globally. In India it is published by Penguin-India Publishers, I recommend you to go for the ebook version if your eyesight needs extra care, as one can enjoy reading to the font size that can be customized. It can be ordered via Amazon or from the publishers' site.Other books that were penned by the author include, Mistress of Spices, Sisters, Palace of Illusions, etc. which we can address one after the other..

This book is about an 18-year-old girl named Korobi (beautiful, unique name) whose grandfather dies on the day of her engagement to her fiance, Rajat-- a young man that she fell in love with who happens to be wealthy and dashing and from a prestigious local family. The story takes place during 2002 in India and the US... great for providing context of what is happening globally and locally during that time. Upon her grandfather's death, a secret about Korobi's birth is revealed by her grandmother, and with a few clues, Korobi goes to America to find out more. The main question as you read is: will she return and marry Rajat or does she have another destiny.I enjoyed the book very much for several reasons:1. The book is beautifully written-- there are several gems of thoughts that you want to highlight and come back to later, because they capture the reality of life so well. I wonder if these proverbs are all original or if some are translations of old sayings. Either way, they are wonderful.2. I wasn't able to predict the ending of the book-- there were several twists and turns and variables to keep it interesting.3. The writing from the perspective of different and unexpected characters. All the characters were well written and had a clear voice, and all the voices tied together well for a nice story. I particularly liked the theme of how some characters redeemed themselves and that characters from different genders, classes and religions all had a voice.Some suggestions/improvements:1. Hard to talk about this without giving away a spoiler but at the end of the book, there is a line about Korobi's history, and about something that can possibly 'show up in future generations' that was unnecessary and pejorative. It would have been nice to see her embrace her history a bit more fully, like the scene when she looks in the mirror and notices new things.2. Almost all books I like feel like they end too abruptly, and this one is exactly the same. I would have loved more closure on some of the story lines-- did Asif ever explain how he saw Pia to her parents? Whatever happened to Mrs. Bhattacharya? And of course, Mitra and Sonia-- maybe the author will do a sequel!!3. More history please around partition, etc. This is not a deficiency of the book, but just a thirst I have for more books that explain the partition historically and through narrative.Finally, this book is one of the very few that touched on post 9/11 reality for people of Asian, South Asian and Middle Eastern descent. The stories of what people went through are all too real to me (former NY-er who witnessed 9/11 while still in NY), especially the discrimination faced. It would be great to have a book that explores those themes in more detail as well as talk about the organizations that popped up as a result and the incredible civic and policy endeavors that have happened since then.A great book that is worth the price, and one that will remind you of why you love reading in the first place!

Well written a story of two families of different social and socioeconomic background with the people who they interact with like employees, neighbours, former acquaintances set in a contemporary India coming to terms with their conflicting perceptions and traditions, and overcoming their prejudices. The author exposes the reader to each character by conveying their thoughts and feelings, this intimate approach helps the reader to not only connect with each character but makes them more real, alive . The plot flows well. It is primarily a love story but also a journey of self discovery which echoes our African reality. Enjoyable story and captivating.

This book is beautifully written. Very lyrical narrative. So gripping that I found it hard to put till I finished. She brings alive the sounds, sights and smells of Calcutta so much so that the reader feels that they are a part of the story.

very interesting book

This is yet another wonderful read from one of my favourite authors. As happens whenever I finish one of Chitra Divakaruni's books, I immediately miss the characters, and want there to be a sequel.

An easy-to-read and fun story