In 1960s Karachi, Pakistan, the events of one night changed the lives of friends Rozeena, Haaris, Aalya, and Zohair forever. Those events lead to revelations about the families' escapes from India following Partition, showing they are linked in more ways than they thought. In present day, all of these secrets are brought to the surface again when Haaris reaches out to Rozeena and asks if his granddaughter can spend the summer interning with her.

Just as I struggled to write the above paragraph, I sometimes struggled to keep all the strings of the story in their proper places in my head. There are so many secrets being revealed throughout the story across all timelines. More secrets than necessary in my opinion as some didn't really seem to add much to the story. I enjoyed the setting and the writing at sentence-level is strong but I think further revision could have presented a clearer story.



It started off a bit slow, with most of the actions and reveals occuring in the second half. In the first half I constantly felt like I had missed something when I was actually being presented with foreshadowing of secrets not yet revealed. I enjoyed the setting in Karachi, Pakistan and wish the whole story had just been set in the 1960s timeline.

3.75 Stars - Switching back and forth between the past (1964) and present (2019), Under The Tamarind Tree explores the relationship of Rozeena and Haaris, a childhood friend who she grew apart with. Their lives are then entangled again when Harris' granddaughter spends a summer "interning" with Rozeena in Pakistan. Mixed in to the story is the mystery behind and Rozeena reconciling parts of young self that she has yet to come to terms with.

Overall, I would recommend this book and it didn't seem to drag for me --especially around the halfway mark-- as some historical fiction has.

What I didn't enjoy:
- Though I liked the relationship between Zara and Rozeena, at times the links between them felt forced and Rozeena's realizations too on-the-nose
- Similarly, wish there was more time given to the 1964 time frame or even if there were dedicated chapters flashing back to 1947, when the families fled India

What I enjoyed:
- If you're like me and wish you learned more about the partition of India in school, this novel provided a brief introduction to it and its aftermath.
- Found myself absorbed in figuring out the mysteries and secrets alluded to in 2019

Deep and resonating. A wonderful read. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good story with a deep secret that lasts for decades and comes to the present for a reckoning.

Tamarinds…mouth puckering tartness with a combination of bittersweet and sour in sticky soft flesh paste. Similar to the lives of four of the main characters encapsulated within this novel, dealing with the sweetness of friendship and love and contrasting with secrets and sorrows. The story begins with the partition of 1947 where Indian and Pakistani families were thrust into regions demarcated by a dotted line by the British. The horror and panic of this period sets the stage for the lives of these families. Rozenna, Aalya, Zohair,and Haaris were friends in Karachi although there is a secret that is not disclosed until the last half book about Rozenna’s brother who never made it but was trampled by the mob. The chapters in the book switch from the time of partition to the present which is sometimes a bit confusing but not to the point of decreased understanding. All are present at welcome party to Haaris when he returns to Karachi, but a deadly incident occurs which affects all of their lives forever. The chapters that focus on the present peel away the past secrets uncovering the questions from the past. The characters are fully realized, and their actions show how far one will go for love but sadly how secrets bind oneself, and don’t allow one to be free.

I did enjoy this but not as much as I expected. I think I expected much much more from it but I did love the relationship between Roozana and the other lady. I forgot her name now. But overall, Wasn't too impressed.

3.5 stars

Synopsis
Rozeena, a young pediatrician, lives in Karachi with her mother where her family moved after Pakistan’s independence. Struggling financially, Rozee is trying to prove to her family that she can care for herself and her mother. Meanwhile, her childhood friends and neighbors, Zohair, Aalya, and Haaris, are learning about the significance of class and status in 1964’s Karachi where their once innocent friendship is being overshadowed by societal expectations.
One night tragedy strikes at an event in the neighborhood that forever impacts the life of the four friends. In the aftermath, each of them ends up making difficult choices to protect their loved ones.
In present-day Karachi, Rozee finds herself confronted by the past when Haaris’s granddaughter, Zara, arrives at her doorstep. Through conversations about gardening and the past Rozee finds that Zara’s arrival might finally give her the closure that she needs.
What’s to like
South Asian readers may be attracted to this book for reading a story that resonates with them. The author paints a vivid picture of Karachi in the 1960s and the present.

What’s not to like
The book does not hold well against the high expectations of a Pakistani reader. The story is lacking and the drama element of what happens the fateful night is a bit of a letdown. The repeated mention of societal pressure, ‘Log kia kahengay (what will people say?)’ becomes annoying quickly. The presence of social expectations and pressure is true, but the reader wishes that the author offered more about Pakistani life. Zara wanting to become a gardener and landing at Rozee’s house seems strange, making the plot sound a bit forced.

Book Rating: 2.9/5 (rounded to 3 stars)

Under the Tamarind Tree is a drama about family and friends. The setting is in beautiful Karachi set on the Arabian Sea. It is very well written with interlocking stories from the present and the past. Lushly filled with betrayal and deception, decades old secrets and passions and love and friendship. This was such an original book, and I appreciated learning so much about this time and place in history. A beautiful story that I enjoyed reading. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

One night. Four friends. Countless secrets.

1964. Karachi, Pakistan. Rozeena. The once small and inconsequential differences between their families' social standing now threaten to divide them. Then one fateful night someone ends up dead and the life they once took for granted shatters.

2019. Rozeena receives a call from a voice she never thought she’d hear again. What begins as an ask to look after a friend’s teenaged granddaughter struggling with her own demons grows into an unconventional friendship—one that unearths buried secrets and just might ruin everything Rozeena has worked so hard to protect.

This book has touches on generational trauma and discusses the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. That being said while this book was good there is a lot going on so I wouldn't suggest this as a light reading book. There is quite a number of key characters introduced very quickly and quite a number of complicated family relationships and implications.

I love books based in India and love learning more about the Indian culture and people, which is what drew me to this book. initially. This is a story of friendship, family, secrets and loss....how we make decisions based on what we believe happened but may not know all sides of a situation. This book has a dual timeline story w/ multiple character POVs and begins with Partition and the trauma it caused. The characters were interesting and well developed although some felt forced or unnecessary to the main story. I also felt that some of the characters storylines could have been expanded on to make them make more sense to the story, at times it felt the reader was given details or side storylines that really had no bearing on what was happening or the characters motivation did not make sense. I also felt the ending needed an epiloque. It felt like the book just ended and an epilogue could have really helped tie up the story nicely. I needed more after being so engaged in the story for the duration of the book.

I just loved this book! I learned about the Partition which was a new topic for me.
But most importantly, the book explores the friendships and tightly held secrets among four young people. The prose is inspiring and the two timelines work well together. In a way, the book is heartbreaking as you think about what might have been.

The story goes back and forth between the 1960's and 2019. Rozeena's memories tell the tales of family struggles when forced to leave their home due to Partition, her and her friends trying to overcome cultural expectations to forge their own paths, and the consequences of their choices.

Some parts are a bit slow, but overall it was a good book with common themes that most everyone faces: how to find your own way even if it doesn't match what society or family expects, sacrificing that maybe doesn't matter in the end, and opening up to unexpected relationships.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my opinion.

Compelling read set in the backdrop of the partition. You will love it if you like family sagas. Thank you NetGalley for giving me a free copy of the book. This one is a gem!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. I did not see the ending coming and several unexpected twists.
The British randomly deciding how to split Muslims from Hindus definitely did not account for the actual humans that had to migrate to their side (ie Pakistan or India). A story that incorporates family and friend relationships.

Pakistan, at the time of its partition from India, was a scary place, especially for children. Many families fled there for their lives. This story takes place in a neighborhood where people from different walks of life had come to make a new life.

Over time the young people from four families bonded. Best friends became loyal ones. And then tragedy struck. Four who truly love each other come together one last time and make a decision that will forever change their lives. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story, and I can actually see it as a movie.

The author has done well to provide the background and the cultural and social forces that were such a strong part of those lives. The story unfolds in a dual time period. First, in 1964, we learn about everyone’s lives and hopes and dreams. Then in 2019 we find out what became of them. Sometimes there is some confusion as to who is being referred to, but this does not mar the flow of the story.

I loved this story. I found the characters engaging and well developed. I like how the story went back and forth without being confusing. Overall, a wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of Under the Tamarind Tree.

I truly enjoyed reading about another culture, hidden secrets, and close friendships. The dual setting taken place in Pakistan of the 1960's and present day Pakistan.

I only wished there were more details about the the Partition - perpetrators of the horrific violence as Muslims ran for safety from violent crowds and burning homes.

(4.5 stars) This is a story of secrets and how they can shape lives.

Rozeena’s story starts in Pakistan in 1964, 17 years after Partition changed her family forever. (I’m almost ashamed to admit that I didn’t know more about Partition until I read this book. It was such a heartbreaking time for the up to 20 million people displaced and up to 2 million killed.) Rozeena and her three best friends – Haaris, AAlya and Zohair –played closely in childhood, but now face differences in social standing. As Rozeena gets ready to start her medical career, Haaris plans a large neighborhood party. Someone will die at this party, and the futures of the four friends will be forever changed.

The story from the past alternates with one in 2019, which finds an aging Rozeena receiving a telephone call from a voice from the past, asking if she can offer her niece (grand-niece?) an internship of sorts helping in her garden. Rozeena agrees to the plan, not realizing that this will put into motion the uncovering of secrets long buried.

This book was organized exactly to my liking, with hints to the secrets being presented early and the uncovering of the history behind the secrets following. It’s a layered story, with myriad secrets from both the past and the present. I raced to find out what was behind each character’s actions and how the story would end. This is an impressive novel, especially for a debut. I recommend it and look forward to this author’s output in the years to come.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with an e-ARC of this title.

A touching novel that explained the thoughtless and sloppy partition of India and Pakistan that ruined so many lives.
The prose was moving and touching that told about the lives affected by this historical event that the history books won't teach.
I learned something valuable while reading a great book and definitely recommend this title, Under the Tamarind Tree.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

A bit of history mixed with secrets has made a good story with this novel. The past is one many want to keep from repeating but how can one not repeat what they do not know. The secret kept in this story will leave you questioning your morals.

The use of a dual time frame may be trendy, but the plot is gripping and the characters fascinating.. Set in Pakistan during and after Partition, the story unfolds the tragic effect of the great population transfer on one group of people who struggle to accept their losses, build new lives, and learn to live with their terrible mistakes. Under the Tamarind Tree is an engrossing novel. You not only want to find out what happened but also want to know what and why.