The Mistress of Spices

Along the lines of Chocolat, this local novel profiles an Indian woman who has traded youth & beauty for healing power, telepathy & (lonely) independance as the purveyor of an Indian spice shop (an apothecary really). The multi-generational Indian immigrants who visit her shop to buy spices so they can cook their old world dishes also bring home "medicine"...more

Along the lines of Chocolat, this local novel profiles an Indian woman who has traded youth & beauty for healing power, telepathy & (lonely) independance as the purveyor of an Indian spice shop (an apothecary really). The multi-generational Indian immigrants who visit her shop to buy spices so they can cook their old world dishes also bring home "medicine" to heal their inner conflicts and relationships. The book has lovely poetic writing (the author really is a poet), especially in the personification of the spices, and endearing characters. They are struggling immigrants dealing with cultural transition (West Side Story comes to mind). And then just like in Chocolat, romance enters the picture....   hide

Wonderfully written and a quick read, one that can be enjoyed on a nice warm day sitting outside at the park and just be taken to somewhere else for a few hours....Loved It!!!

An entertaining book that's very well written. I loved the author's style in this book (I haven't read any of her other books, so I don't know if this is how she always writes). I was a little disappointed that we never find out what exactly happened to the guy's mother (the love interest--sorry, I forget their names). I kept thinking it was going to be the Old Mother, but it wasn't. Very likable...more

An entertaining book that's very well written. I loved the author's style in this book (I haven't read any of her other books, so I don't know if this is how she always writes). I was a little disappointed that we never find out what exactly happened to the guy's mother (the love interest--sorry, I forget their names). I kept thinking it was going to be the Old Mother, but it wasn't. Very likable characters, believable stories. Well, except for the whole 'Mistress of Spices' thing, but still.   hide

pakaaooo! didn't expect dis from chitra! don't read it!

This book is absolutely perfect. It's magic, it's poetry, it's culture. It made me love the Indian culture, beliefs, and of course, the spices. Tilo is a great character. She's kind, bold, and she's an amazing role model for all the women out there. She has a heart, she does everything with passion. This book opened my eyes to something greater than us, the power of magic....more

This book is absolutely perfect. It's magic, it's poetry, it's culture. It made me love the Indian culture, beliefs, and of course, the spices. Tilo is a great character. She's kind, bold, and she's an amazing role model for all the women out there. She has a heart, she does everything with passion. This book opened my eyes to something greater than us, the power of magic. Raven is mysterious, sexy, and he has a great story behind his dark eyes. This book is just perfect, perfect, perfect. Poetry, story-telling and romance, love, passion... Absolutely amazing and a 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!   hide

ehhhh it's ok not bad...a lot of back and forth imagery which adds to a reader's personal agitation...i tend to get personally involved with the characters...

What a wonderful book.Full of love, magic and secrets.Once you begin reading you will not put it down.Finished it in 3 days.

Awesome ! loved the sensuousness of its descriptive....the way the spices smell,feel,look....who could imagine these little details,these amazing rawness n freshness.... the story,however, is surreal...

I liked the premise and pretty much the first half of the book, but unfortunately the introduction of a cheesy and predictable love story made the plot go downhill. The writing style also takes some time to get used to.