Book Reviews and Thoughts :: The world of Books and Literature

To a frivolous reader, the story is simple. Two young girls grow up in a conservative woman-lead household, sharing their darkest secrets, deepest sorrows, greatest pleasures, and intense passions. As they grow up, the physical distance between them broadens, but emotionally, they are one – Soul Sisters. Lightening strikes, destiny makes its move, but the two women hold hands to see the other through the ocean of sorrows. This is where this book, which is a sequel to Sister of My Heart, begins.

The two cousins meet after years, expecting to feel the same warmth and affection for each other, that they felt as a child. But soon they realize that they were mistaken. Even their altruistic love could not be saved from the harsh realities of life. Do my words sound dramatic? Well, one cannot express a story written with so much passion in any other way.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni spins a complex web of human relationships. Her forte is giving words to human emotions – affection, sorrow, guilt, romance, passion, lust, compassion, jealousy – and making you a part of the character’s life in the process. She draws vibrant images with her sensual words.

While I read this book, I was in the cramped apartment in California. I went for the evening walks with Sudha and Dayita, took the bus to the University with Anju, and stared at Sunil’s computer screen. I was jealous of Lalit, when he swept Sudha off her feet, my heart broke into pieces when Anju saw lust for the other woman in her husband’s eyes, and I was filled with joy when Dayita napped by Sunil’s side. This is what Divakaruni does to you. She writes a lot, pages after pages describing a thought, a dream, a moment, but she captures the idea so beautifully that it affects the reader.

Her language is lyrical and vivid. Her knowledge of the two cultures, immaculate. Her understanding of the disarrays of human mind and heart, incredible. I think it is this very knowledge and understanding that limits the subjects that Divakaruni explores. She talks about what she knows best – a woman’s mind.

The Vine of Desire is a dazzling collection of feelings. Pick it up only if you want to plunge into an emotional whirlpool. Not a light read from any angle, clearly, this is not a book for one and all.