The Tamarind Tree – ARC Book Review

This story captures the complexities experienced by a society in transition. The integral connection between the tamarind tree (protagonist of the book), which serves as a symbol, with the life of the people of a small town is imaginatively evoked by an extremely innovative narrative strategy.

ஒரு புளியமரத்தின் கதை – இது ஒரு நவீன செவ்வியல் புனைவு. இந்திய இலக்கியத்தில் ஒரு மைல் கல் எனக் கருதப்படும் இந்த புத்தகம் பல உலக மொழிகளில் மொழிப்பெயர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஒப்பீட்டலிக்கிய விமர்சகர் கே. எம். ஜார்ஜ் இந்நாவலை நோபல் பரிசு பெறத் தகுதியானது என்று குறிப்பிடுகிறார்.

This is actually a tough book to write a book review on. This was originally written in Tamil and was translated into English, the Englished translation will be published on November 15th.

The story centers around a tamarind tree and how because of human greed and politics would soon destroy the nature around the tamarind tree and how the tree had all the rich history. The translator did a good job with the translation and me, coming from Sri Lanka did enjoy reading this book as I am familiar with some Tamil words. Overall, it was a good and enjoyable read–worth four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.