The Sandalwood Tree - Discussion 4

I really liked this book, but the end seemed kind of rushed to me.  I don't know if this is because I was sitting on the last 10 pages for a really long time or not, but when I finished it, it seemed like one of those rush up and be done jobs.  Anyone else?

I think that Evie did a lot of growing in India and it was interesting to read when she finally realized she had to live for joy and what that meant.  I'm glad that both her and Martin could figure out what they needed to do to make things work.  And I liked Mr. Singh's comment about the best marriages in India being good friendships.  He seemed like an interesting man and I would like to learn more about his grandfather.

Also, this book was huuuuge on foreshadowing and I like picking up on it when I'm reading.  It's so much fun to speculate and find out if you are wrong.  Like my guess that Adela's grave really wasn't Adela? ;)

So, I really want to know your thoughts... Did you like this book? What characters did you connect with? Would you have traveled to India during either of those time periods? What time period in history would you like to time-travel back to and visit?

and from the book's discussion questions..

1. Evie says, “If you understand the lunatic nuances in keeping up appearances, you’ll understand why I spent an insane amount of time fighting dust and dirt in India.” and later, “I couldn’t fix our inside, so I fixed our outside. I vanquished dirt and disorder wherever I found it, and felt better, for a while.” Do you think Evie’s impulse to control what she can in order to compensate for the things she cannot is a typical human reaction? What do you think she gains and loses by focusing on these outward problems instead of the real ones?

2. Evie says, “If you understand the lunatic nuances in keeping up appearances, you’ll understand why I spent an insane amount of time fighting dust and dirt in India.” and later, “I couldn’t fix our inside, so I fixed our outside. I vanquished dirt and disorder wherever I found it, and felt better, for a while.” Do you think Evie’s impulse to control what she can in order to compensate for the things she cannot is a typical human reaction? What do you think she gains and loses by focusing on these outward problems instead of the real ones?

3. Elle Newmark uses foreshadowing throughout the novel, hinting at things to come. Evie says of Billy’s stuffed dog, “I wouldn’t have taken Spike away even if I’d known the trouble the toy was going to cause later. But nobody could have seen that coming.” What other instances of foreshadowing did you notice?

4. Throughout The Sandalwood Tree there is a huge dichotomy between the rich foreigners, with their servants and extravagance, and the abject poverty of so many of the natives. Did this disparity bother you? Do you think it’s inevitable that there be such a difference between classes?

5. Most of the British families in the novel have travelled to India only to recreate their lives at home, down to the same shops, food, and traditions. Why do you think this is? Do you think this is a reasonable way to create a comfortable environment for themselves, or a waste of an opportunity to experience something different? Do you think this insistence on holding on to their lifestyles is driven more by arrogance or fear?

Thanks for joining in again! Hope you come back in September!!!

The Sandalwood Tree - Discussion 3

This third chunk really flew by for me and I actually had to stop myself so I wouldn't go ahead until after I had time to write this out. ;)

"Maybe we'd both be happier if I could just accept the change in him."

As soon as I read this, I was like noooo Evie just say no.  Sure, accept that he has changed but if that change is going to make you both freaking miserable that DOES not make things get better.

I found the whole having James Walker over for dinner and his and Martin's exchange to be quite interesting.  I also thought it was hysterical that Evie tried to make him an English meal and he complimented her on the Indian part! And jumping around like a crazy lady, I think what we learned about Martin's time at the end of the war was fascinating.   I also find it weird that one of Evie's first thoughts wasn't, 'Um husband of mine did you find Elsa attractive? Is why this is such a problem? Did you have feelings for her?" Because yes, what they did to the German's was horrible and wrong I can see where things got heated and things went bad but also, he kind of seemed like he had a thing for her, beyond just seeing the horrible things his fellow soldiers did that day.

And when little Billy went missing, did anyone else have a hard time stomaching the slave market part? Or just envisioning what happens to poor (seriously poor) kids in other countries every day? It turns my stomach and makes me want to puke and seriously, how can ANYONE think doing something of a sexual nature with a child that young is first, appropriate, second, enjoyable, third WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?? GROSS GROSS GROSS. BLECH.

In the Adela/Felicity aspect of things, is anyone else thinking that Adela takes Felicity's identity and the body buried under Adela's name is really Felicity? Or is it just me? And what about that little twist about the landlord being Singh? I can't believe Evie didn't make the connection yet, unless of course she hasn't read that journal entry yet and it was just shared with us readers.

So a few discussion questions, 2-5 taken from the book's facebook page

1. Do you think the leprechaun was a good idea or a bad idea? How do you see this ending for poor Billy?

2. The love affairs in the novel were all scandalous for their time: the interracial relationship between Jonathan Singh and Felicity, Adela’s lesbianism, Martin and Evie’s inter-faith marriage. What does it say about the characters that they were all able to defy expectations and conventions? Did you find their decisions shocking?

3. Evie says, “In 1945 they called it combat fatigue, but in World War One they had called it shell shock, which is more accurate. After Vietnam they started calling it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Stress? Please. The names for this mental illness became more sanitized with every war.” Martin is carrying serious scars from his time in the war, and as a result closes Evie out and starts taking dangerous risks in his work. Do you think a person ever completely heals from seeing the atrocities of war? Do you think enough is done to care for veterans when they return?

4. Harry quotes Gandhi as saying, “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” What do you think of this statement?

5. One of the major themes of The Sandalwood Tree is the resilience of the Indian people. When Evie first arrives in India, she says “I wanted to… ferret out the mystery of [India’s] people. I wanted to know how India managed to hang on to her identity in spite of multitudes of foreign conquerors slogging through with new gods and new rules.” What did you think of this ability to “bend without breaking.” Do you think it’s universal to human nature? Unique to the Indian people? Something developed over time out of necessity?

Come back next week to finish discussing the last of the book! Also, don't forget to vote in the side bar for next month's read!

The Sandalwood Tree - Discussion 2

Welcome back! Today we have Lisa's input on the second section (Chapters 11-20) of The Sandalwood Tree.  I am really enjoying this book and am glad it was suggested, since I probably wouldn't have found it on my own for awhile.  Reading about India's history at two different points is fascinating and I want to learn more!

Greetings everyone.  It’s Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns!  I’m here to share my perspective on the 2^nd section of The Sandalwood Tree.

I have to say, the first part kind of got off to a slow start, but the book really gained momentum in this section.  I really like the back-and-forth narration.  I actually prefer books like this as I love the change in perspective and time period. 

Up until this point, I liked Adela, but my view of her definitely soured after reading this section.  Here are some examples from the book that explain why my opinion of her has changed:

“I never liked the idea of her going to noxious bustees full of beggars and lepers.  I fear the air in those quarters is contaminated with zymotic poisons.”  (p. 152)

Um, ok, it’s an orphanage…  Seriously.  Way to have some compassion.

“The Indian.  I am reluctant to use his name, as if relegating him to the anonymous masses will make him disappear, or at least seem less important.” (p. 154)

“I have confined her to bed, and today I turned the Indian away from our door.  But when I went to her, after she had heard his voice, she turned her head on the pillow & would not look at me.  I am wounded.  I only want what is best for her.”  (p. 172)

Wow, jealous a bit?  I think her jealousy makes her a very unattractive character.  Clearly she does not want what is best for Felicity.  She wants Felicity to herself. 

So now for a couple of questions:
 

1. What do you suspect is causing Felicity’s illness?  I can’t answer this because I have read too far ahead.
2. Do you think that this relationship with the Indian is going to be the death of Felicity and Adela’s friendship?

I will keep it simple and leave it at that! 

Thanks again Lisa! I have a question that I want to pose as well..What do you think the motivation was behind making the cartridges use the grease from the animals?  Was it based on the Hindu and Muslim religions or just dumb ignorance that escalated? Obviously, I know nothing of the time period!

Come back next week for the discussion over chapters 21-32!

The Sandalwood Tree - Discussion 1

Welcome reading friends to the first discussion of the August Group Read, The Sandalwood Tree. Any and all are welcome to participate, the more the merrier! This discussion covers the first 10 chapters.

I am really digging the back and forth between Evie and Felicity/Adela.  Currently, I think I read quicker and enjoy more when it is the Felicity/Adela chapters.  I think it has something to do with some of the flowery descriptions of India and we all know how I feel about flowery descriptions. ;)

I will say that with reading The Secret Garden, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and now The Sandalwood Tree, I am learning far more about India's past than I ever knew before. Are you? Or are you already an India expert?

I like that it gives us the history of the time of Felicity and Adela and of Partition with Evie and Martin.  I also kind of feel like Evie and Martin have a slightly stereotypical after World War 2 marriage.  Where one comes back changed and reserved and changed and not as fun loving/carefree as before. Do you think Martin and Evie are going to be able to repair their marriage or is this it for life?

I like how Evie is keeping the letters to herself.  She seems like she needs a hobby/a purpose.  Teaching English is one thing but this is a mystery/puzzle and it can help her feel like she has a role/important again.  Do you think she will find more letters? Did you enjoy the last line as much as I did?

 "I went back to Adela's headstone and read it again, wondering what on earth could have induced a young woman to come to India during an uprising?" pg. 89. Quite the cliffhanger for us.

I'm also wondering.. Do you think Evie/Martin/Billy are safe in Masoorla or do you think they will have trouble? What do you think will happen?

A question from the Discussion Guide:

The Sandalwood Tree begins with a quote from Adela Winfield: “Death steals everything but our stories.” Later Evie paraphrases this as “Our stories are all we have.” What do you think of this? Do you agree? Do you think our stories are the only things that last?

Thanks for participating! Next week Lisa will be giving us her thoughts over chapters 11-20! Can't wait!

August's Group Read is...

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark! We had a tie and using random.org this one appears to be the winner! We will be discussing the book in August every Friday.  Anyone is free to join us and I really hope that you do.  We had a ton of people show interest in July and then I think Lisa and I were the only ones who read the book, which is a shame because it was a good one! If you would like to write a guest post for one of the Friday's let me know!

Here is our discussion schedule:

Discussion 1 Chapters 1 -10 – August 5^th

Discussion 2 – Chapter 11-20 August 12^th

Discussion 3 – Chapter 21 – Chapter 32 August 19^th

Discussion 4 – Chapter 33 – the end August 26^th

About: A sweeping novel that brings to life two love stories, ninety years apart, set against the rich backdrop of war-torn India.

In 1947, American historian and veteran of WWII, Martin Mitchell, wins a Fulbright Fellowship to document the end of British rule in India. His wife, Evie, convinces him to take her and their young son along, hoping a shared adventure will mend their marriage, which has been strained by war.
But other places, other wars. Martin and Evie find themselves stranded in a colonial bungalow in the Himalayas due to violence surrounding the partition of India between Hindus and Muslims. In that house, hidden behind a brick wall, Evie discovers a packet of old letters, which tell a strange and compelling story of love and war involving two young Englishwomen who lived in the same house in 1857.

Drawn to their story, Evie embarks on a mission to piece together her Victorian mystery. Her search leads her through the bazaars and temples of India as well as the dying society of the British Raj. Along the way, Martin’s dark secret is exposed, unleashing a new wedge between Evie and him. As India struggles toward Independence, Evie struggles to save her marriage, pursuing her Victorian ghosts for answers.

Bursting with lavish detail and vivid imagery of Calcutta and beyond, The Sandalwood Tree is a powerful story about betrayal, forgiveness, fate, and love.

Hope you join us! Let me know in the comments if you plan to read along!

The One That I Want Discussion

I do so hope I wasn't the only one who read this, because it will be sad to talk to myself. However, I came up with some questions while I was reading. And I had a few others that I knew sounded really good but then I forgot to write them down and I forgot them. Whoops. Blog fail.

Some of these questions don't necessarily require you to have read the book to throw in your 2 cents and I don't think I revealed tooo much to spoil it completely for you!

1. Do You think CJ leaves Westlake?

2. What do you think of the 'clarity' Ashley gave Tilly?

(Okay, I must say that the clarity thing had me rolling my eyes sooo much about this book. To me it was silly and preposterous and was a major problem I had with the book. Otherwise I enjoyed it. But I do know that there had to be some reason for Tilly to see what was happening, but I think the story could have gone another way. Just not big on 'clarity' or psychics or any of that.)

3. Do you choose to only see the positive and ignore all the bad? Do you solve other people's problems like Tilly?

(I am such a pessimist. Completely a see the bad never the good. I like solving other people's problems and usually can find positives for them. Just not myself!)

4. What do you think Tilly's future holds for her?

5. Can Tilly forgive her father for all of his transgressions? Including, the incident that Darcy walked in on?

(This is something that I would really have liked to see happen at the end of the book. Did she or didn't she? Old Tilly hands down would have, but new Tilly may or may not and I find that authentic and real and probably keeping her away would be a good idea!)

And here are a few questions from author Allison Winn Scotch's site.

6. If you could be given the power to see into the future like Tilly is, would you use it? What positive or negative effects could this have in the scope of your life?

7. Tilly and her sisters have complicated, tangled relationships. Do you think you can ever separate who you are from who your family has helped shape you to be?

(In the last year or so I have really started to notice that I act different around my family. I revert back to my youth and act in a manner that I did back then. Is it to keep the same facade up with them? Or is to keep myself safe from the judging? If I act like I don't care or I'm silly it won't matter that I am a huge loser and failure in life? Who knows. But I think the way we act around the people we have known the longest is quite interested and complicated. )

8. Many of Tilly’s happiest moments are set in her past. How does this influence her assessment of the present? Do you look back fondly on high school or is it a memory that you’ve long outgrown?

9. Tilly rediscovers long-abandoned aspirations and learns that even aiming toward small goals can change your life. What are your small but important goals that you’d like to achieve within the next year?

(I would love to have a job that I like. I would like to find some direction and determine what I want to do/what I should do / what will make me happy.)

10. Tilly discovers that destiny is only partially pre-determined, that life is a mix of fate and what you exert over fate. Do you believe in destiny or is life totally within our control?

Oh and a plug for Allison's blog because I saw she had a post today about maiden name v. married name and I know some of you (Kelly and myself) have struggled with this!

And don't forget to suggest a book for next month!! Poll will be up on the sidebar tomorrow!