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!!!