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Book Review: The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

May 2, 2011 by Darlene


The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark is yet another of her novels that will have a special place on my keeper shelf. Elle Newmark has an amazing way of bringing both her characters and the setting of her stories come to life. Her first novel The Book of Unholy Mischief was another favorite of mine so I was really excited to read The Sandalwood Tree and I was not disappointed. Once again Elle Newmark held me captive and this time around brought war torn India of the past to life for me.

There are two story lines with a span of almost a hundred years between them. The first being Evie, her husband Martin, and son Billy. They travel to India in 1947 on a scholarship that Martin earns to write up his thesis on the end of British rule. Martin had not wanted to bring his family as things were not very calm in India at the time but eventually Evie convinces him it’s the right thing to do as she is secretly hoping that getting away will help to mend their marriage that has taken a hard hit by World War II which Martin served in and came back from a shell of the man he once was.

The second story line comes to life starting with letters that Evie finds hidden in her kitchen while scrubbing down a wall. These letters appear to be correspondence between two English women who had lived in the same house back in the 1800’s – Felicity Chadwick and Adela Winfield. Evie is fascinated by the little she is able to read and with not much else to occupy her time she decides to find out as much as she can about the two of them. She manages on a few different occasions to find out yet more information about these women. What she ultimately learns about them has resounding effects on both Evie and her family as well as others in Simla where they are living.

The novel alternates seamlessly between Evie and her family in 1947 to Felicity and Adela and their lives in the 1800’s. In both settings India is in turmoil and the author brings the sights, sounds and smells to life for us. While I found the parts about the turmoil in both time periods interesting, it was more the relationships between Evie and her husband and between Felicity and Adela that I found the most intriguing. Of the two story lines, while I liked both, I think I found the one of Felicity and Adela more interesting although I can’t really pinpoint why. Maybe it was the characters themselves or what was happening to them but I loved the parts of the book that had to do with them. What I enjoyed most was the whole aspect of hidden letters and someone finding them almost a hundred years later – how exciting it would be to actually have something like that happen! I also liked the way the two stories intertwined together in the end to come to a very satisfying conclusion.

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark has all the elements of a good book to me – love, relationships, betrayals, the historical aspect, and a setting in another time and place. Above all else, Elle Newmark’s writing is exquisite. She writes with such passion and vivid descriptions of the people and places that you can’t help but feel you are a part of it all and I absolutely love that quality in a writer. For those who love a book that will take you out of yourself for a while and give you a deeply satisfying reading experience, I would definitely say The Sandalwood Tree just might be the read for you!


I read The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark for her book tour with Pump Up Your Book. Be sure to pop in and visit Elle Newmark’s website. Your own copy of The Sandalwood Tree can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark was received for review from the author and Pump Up Your Book.

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, Your Book Promotion Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:05 am

    WOW….sounds like a keeper Dar. I need to read my copy soon.

  2. Kay says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    I enjoyed reading your review of this book. I think it's something I would enjoy very much. I'll be on the lookout for it soon.

  3. Aths says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    This book sounds amazing! I've been hearing so much about it lately. I'm going to have to look for it.

  4. Zibilee says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    I have this book up for review soon, and I am really looking forward to it. It sounds like just the type of story that I would love, and how can you go wrong with a book that you can lose yourself in? Fantastic review, Dar! You have made me even more eager to get to this one!

  5. Jo-Jo says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I just read about this book over at Book Movement now after reading your review I really want it! Thanks for sharing about it Dar!

  6. Nise' says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    I am looking forward to this book!

  7. Cheryl says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    I've heard so many wonderful things about this book. I have to add it to my wish list.

  8. Blodeuedd says

    May 2, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    It sounds very good and exactly like the kind of fiction book that I would enjoy to read

  9. Staci says

    May 2, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    I love books that take place in India and your heartfelt review has me putting this book way high on my TBR list!!

  10. carla says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I don't think I've read any books set in India and this sounds good. The two parallel stories sounds interesting!

  11. TheBookGirl says

    May 4, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    This was wonderful, wasn't it 🙂
    I had not read this author before, but from your remarks it seems that her previous book was just as good, so I will be sure to add that one to my reading list.

  12. Anna says

    May 4, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    I've been curious about this book since I saw it in the store a couple of weeks ago. Glad to see you really enjoyed it. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

  13. Serena says

    May 4, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    I love story lines like these where there are two love stories that parallel each other. Thanks for another great review

  14. ~Enamored Soul~ says

    May 5, 2011 at 7:25 am

    I would LOVE to read "The Sandalwood Tree" – just the title evokes an aroma in itself. Plus, I think it would be right up my alley, being that I love historical fiction. And this seems to marry contemporary fiction with historical fiction. Seems like a poignant read!! Thanks for sharing your review with us, Darlene! 😀

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

  15. Wanda says

    May 8, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Sounds like a gorgeous read, one to really loose yourself in – glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!

  16. samantha.1020 says

    May 8, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    Sounds like an interesting book! I hadn't heard of this author before but I'm going to have to check her out. Thanks for sharing!

  17. Darlene says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Heather,

    I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one. It's quite the story.

  18. Darlene says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    TheBookGirl,

    You really should read her first book especially if you liked this one. I really enjoyed it as well.

  19. Darlene says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    Hira,

    I just love books that weave a story into a little history. That's one thing I love about Elle Newmark's books.

  20. Darlene says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    Everyone,

    Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you'll all have a chance to read this book!

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