Reviews

Die Hüterin der Gewürze by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

zainub_reads's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

2.5

julinapril's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

book_concierge's review against another edition

5.0

This is a modern-day fairy tale, and like all fairy tales there is a lesson (or several) to be learned. Reminiscent of "Like Water for Chocolate." Makes me wish I knew more about spice lore and Indian folklore.
I read it again in Sept 1998 and it is even better on second reading. I picked up many more clues. FATE at work here? DESTINY? A most intriguing book.

annie_g_scott's review against another edition

I just couldn’t get into this book. I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them, but this one didn’t land for me. I didn’t enjoy the prose, the pace was lagging, there wasn’t enough depth to the characters or plot to keep me invested. The magical realism aspect could have been much more interesting. 

hetvi_307's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

embereye's review against another edition

4.0

This was a really gorgeous book. It's obvious that Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a poet in the way she writes her story. Oddly it reminded me stylistically of a lot of my attempts at disjointed and non-linear storytelling. Her story is mostly linear but has moments with backstory, etc.

The story itself is magical realism and made me want lots of Indian food.

lsparrow's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book and it had some elements I had not found in the movie that gave some more depth to the story. I love the descriptions of the spices and the connection to them.

lolohlex's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dristi_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shirlee2024's review against another edition

3.0

The artistic lack of punctuation was distracting for me, and it's more fantasy and romance than I prefer.