Bookring. Interesting premise and story - definitely worth reading. Engages the senses and the mind. ( )

I liked the premise and the cast of characters, but thought it was overwrought and the relationship with Raven (and his entire depiction) quite forced. Also, I was constantly friustrated with one of the main underlying themes that making oneself happy is a bad thing, and that arbitrary authoritarian rules should be followed or that we should willongly accept punishment for transgressing them. If I could give half stars, the rating would have been a 2.5. ( )

I loved this. It's written in a very dreamlike manner, and I loved the first person almost stream of consciousness point of view. ( )

Not bad, definitely entertaining but not great. Anyone who liked Chocolat (the movie or book) would probably love this. ( )

I think I liked this book. I did like the magic realism, the concept of spices having the power to influence, heal, and actually be as important as some of the characters in this book. I enjoyed the almost poetic writing style. But I had to interrupt my reading a few times for other novels due to deadlines and commitments, so lost the story thread. But when I did pick it up again, the last third of the book seemed to drag. It was difficult for me to sympathize with the protagonist, a young Indian woman named Tilo who must become an old woman and minister to those who enter her spice shop in an edgy urban Oakland (CA) neighborhood. She must never leave the shop, and never become emotionally attached to her customers. Of course she does both, plus she falls in love with a handsome young man who conveniently sees beyond her old facade. I think I would have really enjoyed this book if I could have connected with Tilo. Would I recommend this book? Probably not. ( )