The Vine of Desire: A Novel

The first book was good then came this... The characters are unlikeable. The telling and descriptions are exaggerated. Author goes on about futile details, it drags the reader out of the story. It is not told in Alternative first person like the first, Anju had no narration at all. The book is all about Sudha... An ignorant, terrible mother who is extremely selfish and irritating. I dreaded every page with her... which was most of the book! The author spent so much time describing how "beautiful" she is, every man who wants her, then inside her subconscious, she is an abysmal person who truly has nothing beautiful about her. Every character has their head in the clouds because apparently living is that depressing. The whole novel is so lofty, it's a wonder if the author spent any time in reality.

I loved this book as I adore this writer. Her plots and writing is delicious but in a country of a billion people most of whom speak English they couldn’t have found one Indian person that pronounce any of the names correctly. Everytime I listen, I cringe.

THE VINE OF DESIRE by Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniThe sequel to her popular SISTER OF MY HEART, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's THE VINE OF DESIRE follows the story of the two "sisters" Anju and Sudha from India to America. While SISTER OF MY HEART focused a lot on their past family history and Indian culture and folklore, THE VINE OF DESIRE centers more on the present, and the relationship of the two sisters which is put into a precarious state by a third person, Anju's husband Sunil.Anju invites her sister Sudha to live with her and Sunil in America. Sudha is divorced with a baby, and with a shaky future ahead of them both, Anju knew that the only means of survival for Suhda would be to come to America. Sudha leaves behind the love of her life, Ashok, whom she gave her heart to when she was a young girl, but for some reason she refuses to return to him after her failed arranged marriage. And Anju, with her new life in America and her new husband Sunil, is looking for something beyond being just a wife and future mother. While Anju looks for life outside the household, Sunil finds himself distracted by the presence of his sister-in-law, who he has always loved in secret since before he married his wife. And Sudha is fully aware of this.It's a complicated mess and life does not get any better for Sudha, and gets only worse for Anju and Sunil. Although THE VINE OF DESIRE was not as good a novel as the original book, I still found myself wanting to finish this book to find out whether Anju and Sudha find the happiness they are seeking in America. Is it true that the grass is greener on the other side? Should Sudha have stayed in India and returned to Ashok? The reader is left to find out what happens to both sisters. I recommend THE VINE OF DESIRE to those who have enjoyed SISTER OF MY HEART. For more by Divakaruni, I would suggest reading THE MISTRESS OF SPICES, which is by far her best novel yet.

A good sequel to Sister of My Heart. I was a bit disappointed when I read the first one because I didn't know it had a sequel and I felt it had left SO MUCH unaccounted for. I read this one as soon as I heard about it and while I was happy that all storylines from the first were addressed, it wasn't the happily ever after story that you'd expect, which I found refreshing and more true to life. I do wish it were a bit happier though! Either way, a good read.

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Infact ' Palace of Illusions' is easily one of the best books I have ever read. When a friend recommended Sister of My Heart, I was excited and looking forward to another great read. I was not disappointed. It was a fabulous recommendation and I became deeply involved with the characters, Sudha and Anju. So much so, that before the book had even ended I ordered its sequel, The Vine of Desire. I was expecting a similar, interesting read, something that would enhance the experience of the first book and bring closure to many questions I had about the characters. But I wish I had never read The Vine of Desire. It was difficult to get through, a sharp contrast to its prequel ,and the way it was written was also tiresome. I found myself skimming parts and just wanting to move ahead. The plot itself was disappointing but not as disappointing as the manner in which it was told. All in all, I think the author would have been better off having just left it at Sister of my Heart.

In not so many words...this book doesn't quench the thirst of following up the characters from the 1st book. It takes a different route...almost bipolar DETOUR of the original characters. The writing is also very difficult to follow at the beginning of the book. The author eventually eases back into her style.

currently reading this and I'm already in love. Divakaruni explores the different methods and approaches to writing in each chapter. It makes it different than any other book I have read so far. A bold move that worked in her favor. I had to get this to get the final scoop of Sudha and Anju.

I had hesitated to buy this book because of the other ratings but loved the sequel, Sister of my Heart, so much that I just had to read this one. I am not disappointed in any way. I love the way that the thoughts of the characters are presented and the descriptions of the events, including that of the current events going on at the time of the story. I have read a number of books written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni this year, and she has become one of my favorite authors.

Came in early and in good condition, even though there was a dead dried up spider corpse in the front page which has now been disosed of.

Really so good and perfect. Easy readable. Good quality of paper and lot of information available...

Continuation of sister of my heart...this books shows u how one can bow down to desires and even hurt the person u love in the process...it shows the complexity of human nature wonderfully...

l'écriture est limpide et se met bien au service de l'expression des sentiments.Le côté humain et très sensible de l'histoire est très attachant.Beau livre à recommander.