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38th out of 92 books
—
131 voters
The Tree Bride
ational Book Critics Circle Award-winner Bharati Mukherjee has long been known not only for her elegant, evocative prose but also for her characters- influenced by ancient customs and traditions but also very much rooted in modern times. In The Tree Bride, the narrator, Tara Chatterjee (whom readers will remember from Desirable Daughters), picks up the story of an East Ben...more
Paperback, 302 pages
Published
August 24th 2005
by Hyperion
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Born to a wealthy Calcutta family, Mukherjee lived in Britain as a child and is now a professor at U.C. Berkeley. Her life of migration and assimilation informs her work, but critics agree that grander themes play out in Tree Bride
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This was a beautifully written book - and I enjoyed the history about India/Burma during and following the British occupation. We get both British and Indian perspectives.
There were times when it felt so realistic, I wondered if it was a true story. There were other times when I didn't completely follow the story line. So while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I had difficulty remembering the relationships between the characters, and never really got the big wrap-up for some of the MAIN plot poi...more
There were times when it felt so realistic, I wondered if it was a true story. There were other times when I didn't completely follow the story line. So while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I had difficulty remembering the relationships between the characters, and never really got the big wrap-up for some of the MAIN plot poi...more
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If I were the kind of person who could stop reading in the middle of a book, I wouldn't have finished this one. I was really looking forward to reading this novel about Indian culture by a woman writer, and the premise seemed totally interesting, but it was a let-down. I had a lot of trouble following the relationships between characters, like you actually need to sit and write it out to keep it straight. Once you do, there's no real payoff. There are supposed to be these "ta-da" moments when th...more
I particularly enjoyed the way the novel discusses British-Indian relations during India's period of colonization. After reading The Tree Bride, I felt like I had better understanding of the varying mindsets in their highly nuanced society of that period. As for the story, I liked how the main character's quest to find her roots in India leads her to uncover old mysteries that have caught up with her present life in the US.
However, I felt that the novel had many story lines that weren't cohesiv...more
However, I felt that the novel had many story lines that weren't cohesiv...more
Nicely written book--poetic and literate. Though it was a novel, it contained much British/Indian history that I knew nothing about. The story was difficult to follow at times. There were four parts. I was totally involved in the second one and almost bored in the third one. Initially, I felt confused by the plot line and characters in various time periods. Eventually, everything all came together.
The first half was five stars, the second half three stars. It started out as a fascinating look at both colonial India and modern-day Indian brahmins. Then it introduces a character even the narrator doesn't care for to take over the third section of the book. And the last section doesn't seem to tie up the loose ends (maybe intentionally?)
This was a very good book, set both in present day San Francisco and India during British rule. It would have been a five star book except that the ending wasn't entirely satisfying. It left some questions in my mind that I felt should have been resolved.
Learned lots about India in the colonial period. More going on in this book than I could pick up on--for example, there is a lot of symbolism. Great storytelling about complex people. The story about British agent James Treadwell was compelling.
The writing is beautifully crafted. The many characters and historical time shifts were often hard to follow without a solid grounding in the history of British-ruled India.
An interesting story about ancestry and colonial India...
I found that the main character's search for truth in her past and the intimation that her present life is affected by this to be enchanting!!
However, I felt that there was a lack of depth in her recounting of the past. Perhaps I was searching for an account of power and poetics, while she was simply retelling a version of her family story...
I found that the main character's search for truth in her past and the intimation that her present life is affected by this to be enchanting!!
However, I felt that there was a lack of depth in her recounting of the past. Perhaps I was searching for an account of power and poetics, while she was simply retelling a version of her family story...
I like this book, but I missed something somewhere. I think I have to reread it to understand the story. But I would look for other books by the same author!
I most enjoyed the elaborate descriptive layers of the characters' hate/love relationships with the cultures, countries and life in which they found themselves. This is why I think the book deserves "three stars". I thought the end could have been better, it was a bit of a disappointment when it boiled down to a phantom deed.
I definitely learned a little history of the East India Company and British colonization. I got lost in the many plots the book had.
Very difficult to read...mind numbing indian history that is far to detailed and trivial to follow.
Good overall story but the writing is a little schizophrenic. I had a hard time staying involved in this one!
Interesting for the view of Indian history during British colonialism. The over-lying story seemed a bit weak, but a relatively good read. Probably 2.5 stars.
Very nice. Although it is a Novel it reads like true history.
OK story. Too much mystic-ness for my taste.
This is the sequel to Desirable Daughters. Like that novel, this one is pretty strange. However, while that worked for Desirable Daughters, this time it fell flat in a lot of places. All the delving into speculation of what happened in the past didn't work as well as what was happening in the present. There were also too many unanswered questions. So, while I liked this book and it is worth a read, it was definitely not as good a read as Desirable Daughters.
This book is a bit different than what I usually read. It was a bit of a struggle sometimes, there are stories within stories and the writing style didn't flow so smoothly. But it was worth it, I have a better understanding of India and her history.
PS - If India interests you look for these three movies directed by Deepa Mehta: Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water(2005).
I watched Water first, it was BREATH TAKING!!!
PS - If India interests you look for these three movies directed by Deepa Mehta: Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water(2005).
I watched Water first, it was BREATH TAKING!!!
The second in a planned trilogy, coming after Desirable Daughters. Mukherjee's metaphors are like fine wine in this novel, and her characters are full, with robust, engaging backstories. I did have some trouble remembering the plot at the beginning, as it connects to DD, but I'd also be offended by a review of any sort, so I'm not sure of the solution. I can't wait for the third and final in the trilogy--where is it?
Mar 29, 2011
Debdanz
added it
returned without finishing... good start faded in the middle and no longer held my attention. maybe another time.
1st edition, signed by author
A beautifully crafted, dense novel that begins in present day San Francisco, travels far back through generations to a village in India, and returns to SF.
My understanding of British colonialism and its effects on India were enhanced by this novel. It is also intriguing and unfolds a generational mystery.
My understanding of British colonialism and its effects on India were enhanced by this novel. It is also intriguing and unfolds a generational mystery.
I enjoyed this book, but I wish it was longer! The author focuses on four seperate stories, & I wanted to know more about three of them. I liked the writing and the story and will definately read more by this author.
Difficult to follow, main character is not very believable,no expected resolution.
some bits interesting. most of it too confusing to attempt to connect story-lines. if I wasn't stuck in the hospital at the time, I would have shelved it. thank goodness it was a library book and I didn't spend a penny on it!
Rich in tradition and fantastic storytelling. I love the way this woman writes....the tree bride is a modern tale about an ancient family myth and seeking to tie and identfy with past and present. Fabulous
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| Endicott Mythic F...: The Tree Bride: A Novel - Discussion | 4 | 18 | Aug 21, 2010 01:55pm |
Bharati Mukherjee is an award-winning Indian born American writer. She is currently a professor in the department of English at the University of California, Berkeley.
More about Bharati Mukherjee...
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Oct 21, 2010 06:27pm