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The Mistress of Spices: A Novel

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Author: Chitra Divakaruni
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

98 reviews
Sales Rank: 70334

Media: Paperback
Pages: 352
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8

ISBN: 0385482388
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385482387
ASIN: 0385482388

Publication Date: February 17, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Also Available In:

•	Paperback - The Mistress of Spices (Macmillan Guided Readers)
•	Hardcover - The Mistress of Spices (SIGNED)
•	Hardcover - The Mistress of Spices
•	Paperback - The Mistress of Spices: Upper (Macmillan Reader)
•	Paperback - The Mistress of Spices
•	Paperback - The Mistress of Spices
•	Audio Cassette - The Mistress of Spices

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Review
On a mythic island of women "where on our skin, the warm rain fell like pomegranate seeds" powerful spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and fenugreek whisper their secrets to young acolytes. Ordained after trial by fire, each new spice mistress is sent to a far-off land to cure the life pains of all Indian seekers, while keeping a cool distance from the mortals. Only stubborn, passionate Tilo, disguised as an old woman merchant in present-day Oakland, California, fails to heed the vengeful spices' warnings. Fragrant with spice and sensuality, this winning tale rolls off the tongue. Written in the soaring, poetic tradition of China Men and Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Product Description
Magical, tantalizing, and sensual, The Mistress of Spices is the story of Tilo, a young woman born in another time, in a faraway place, who is trained in the ancient art of spices and ordained as a mistress charged with special powers. Once fully initiated in a rite of fire, the now immortal Tilo--in the gnarled and arthritic body of an old woman--travels through time to Oakland, California, where she opens a shop from which she administers spices as curatives to her customers. An unexpected romance with a handsome stranger eventually forces her to choose between the supernatural life of an immortal and the vicissitudes of modern life. Spellbinding and hypnotizing, The Mistress of Spices is a tale of joy and sorrow and one special woman's magical powers.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, born in India, is an award-winning poet who teaches creative writing at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California, where she also serves as president of MAITRI, a helpline for South Asian women. In 1995 her short story collection Arranged Marriage was awarded the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Prize for Fiction, the Bay Area Book Reviewers Award for Fiction, and an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. Her fourth poetry collection, Leaving Yuba City, was published by Anchor in August 1997.

Customer Reviews: Read 93 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful book much better than the movie! October 21, 2008
Epicurean Kat (Twin Cities)
I fell in love with the story when I watched the movie but it cannot ever compare to the actual book which was full of beautiful imagery and a lovely main character!

5 out of 5 stars

Haunting, fairy tale like, to be savored September 21, 2008
Heather Bruyere (SF Bay Area)
I first read this book when I was in Paris on a trip when I lived elsewhere in France. Perhaps it reminded me of my many Indian friends or the types of tales I missed reading, but, it remains one of my favorite tales. I like the fact that it is anchored in the present, SF Bay Area, but has a fantasy exotic past undercurrent. Her work resembles Marge Piercy's "Woman on the Edge of Time" in some respects and I think I warmed to it for that reason.
I think one of the reasons it appealed to me is that the character is cloaked in the guise of an older woman and cannot reveal her 'true' self. Yet, like in many fairy tales, the man she loves sees through this exterior.
I'm thinking that I read it on the eve of my fortieth birthday after a transition in appearance and changing countries, and, it was the wish to have people see me for who I was, rather than my exterior.
In that respect, I found it satisfying. It's a fairy tale for grown ups that resonated with me.
I have reread it several times. I prefer the original cover art however.
I heard the author speaking on NPR and she has a beautiful voice.

I recommend it to those of you in need of a fairy tale.

2 out of 5 stars

Chick Lit September 9, 2008
GT Reviewer (Georgetown, Guyana)
The book was a light, quirky read blending the Indian migrant experience in America with magical realism and bit of Hindu mythology thrown in for good measure.
It is quite a bit of everywoman's fantasy - queening it over a cowering family and village then escaping with pirates when it get too boring, moving on to LA via a magical island where women can frolic about naked - I wondered whether the first Harry Potter book was out as the favoured mode of transport seems to be via a magic fire!
The ideal man obligingly shows up too- having mystical roots, a hot body, being a resigned,strong,dependable type compared to her scatty, well-meaning dithering heroine.

2 out of 5 stars

interesting idea, mediocre read May 3, 2008
Nancy Bell (Somerset County, NJ, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This book is a convoluted fairy tale. Its resolution was abrupt and not terribly satisfying, and a lot of loose ends were never explained or tied up. The spice lore was amusing but that was the content highlight. Her writing style was excellent and flowing. I wouldn't recommend it unless I could have the author attend the post mortem and explain everything (if she could and have it make any kind of sense).

4 out of 5 stars

Magic February 21, 2008
Erin Brooks (London)
Tilo has had an extraodinary childhood and she becomes an apprentice "spice mistress" who will when ready be dispatched somewhere in the world to work magic with her spices. Where she ends up is in an old spice shop in California, as an old lady. The story focuses on a few of Tilo's customers, who all share Indian roots and therefore suffer prejudice, culture shocks etc. As she effortlessly offers the best spices to cure her customers and help them through their difficulties, Tilo finds herself attracted to a mysterious "American" customer. This attraction goes against all her rules as a Mistress of Spices and lead Tilo to have to decide between duty and her heart.

Overall I found the story was well written though a bit intense at times. The story successfully mixes magic, cultural issues, relationships and friendship. Recommended.

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