Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

A magic realism tale on Tilo, a woman from India who is given immortality by the gods as long as she remains chaste. In her old age Tilo ends up in California, running a spice shop and helping immigrants. One day enters Raven, a handsome American, and Tilo transforms herself into a beautiful woman for a night of love. Now she must pay the price.

The mistress of spices

Ditipriya Acharya

I cannot read another sentence that starts with “I Tilo...”!

Bee 

A disappointing read and one of those very rare instances were I much preferred the film to the book. I had wanted to read this book for ages and although I finished it, it was a struggle from beginning to end as I never really connected with any of the characters.

Amanda Shameem

_______________________________ SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A dazzling tale... woven with poetry and storyteller magic.' AMY TAN Tilo, an immigrant from India, runs a spice shop in Oakland, California. While she supplies the ingredients for curries and kormas, she also dispenses wisdom and the appropriate spice: for Tilo is a Mistress of Spices, a priestess of the secret magical powers of spices. To those who visit her shop, Tilo prescribes coriander for the restoration of sight, chilli for the cleansing of evil, fenugreek for the pain of rejection. But when a lonely American ventures into the store, a troubled Tilo cannot find the correct spice, for he arouses in her a forbidden desire - which if she follows will destroy her magical powers. Compelling and lyrical, full of heady scents and with more than a touch of humour, this novel explores the clash between East and West even as it unveils the universal mysteries of the human heart. 'I felt excited and empowered by the way she used words' NAOMI ALDERMAN, author of THE POWER 'Unusual, clever, and often exquisite' LA Times _______________________________

The mistress of spices

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