Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: I began this book with hope, as I love India and fiction placed in that culture. Despite a basically interesting idea however the story felt flat, and i found the language stilted and artificial. However, I do feel a need to defend the book against Gail's comment below about "multiethnic romances": a cheap, badly written Harlequin romance is a cheap badly written Harlequin romance, no matter what race or culture the protagonists belong to, and I wouldn't place MOS in that category. But I for one would be very pleased to see MORE well written books with protagpnists who are NOT white-European/American-Judea-Christian. I myself am a mixture of at least five different ethnic groups, 2 of them non-white; I have lived in four different continents, I am married to a man of a different colour and have mixed-race children. I certainly believe that there is more magic/emotion/intuition in my perspective of life due to my roots in "other" (assuming white to be the standard!) cultures, and I long to see more this in literature. This need not be necesarily lead to a fad or a cult, it need not be political correctness; it is simply an opening of doors, a breaking down of barriers. I'm sorry that THIS book didn't fit the bill, but there are others that do;the language may be a bit more flowery and/or emotive, but so what? As long as such books are emotionally truthful and reflect the reality of how different people think and feel and experience their world, then they are part of life. And so what if the settings are more "exotic"? Do all stories have to be set in New York/Chicago/London/Manchester?(I too really loved a fine Balance!)
Rating: 
Summary: not a fairy tale, not a fiction, well.. not a novel!
Review: I read the author's columns in magazines. I really like her simple effective writings. But this book deceived me. not so good.
Rating:
Summary: Multicultural romance is popular genre
Review: I recently attended a workshop where the author spoke and I was most impressed with her charm, brilliance, and personality. Unfortunately, I was most disappointed with her novel.Lately it seems that a new genre has evolved; the multicultural romance. Only a step up from the popular Harlequin romances, this type seems to be aimed at women. Its characteristics include a romanticized exotic setting; emphasis on the nobility of ethnic groups; flowery or pretty language not based on observation but on romanticized nature; melodramatic plots; superficial characters; little irony, wit, or humor; self-pity; magic; and exaggerated emotion. Themes emphasize domestic and child abuse, notions like appearances don't matter, identity politics, environmentalism, and the superiority of feelings to truth. It seems like an ancient form with a modern twist promulgated by the better practitioners of this form, such as Barbara Kingsolver. However, I think it's becoming tiresome. Give me something with more observation and experience, more complexity and some grit and edge, less idealization. Something like Rohinton Mistry's "A Fine Balance" is what I was hoping for when I decided to read this.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book started off strong, with lush prose impressively pulled off. But then maybe 1/3 of the way into it, the narrative became increasingly repetitive and tiresome. Oh Tilo, you must resist your desires. Oh Tilo, you're going to get in trouble. Page after page of this finally made me give up on the whole book altogether. I don't think I'm alone on this one, I've seen several used copies adorning the shelves of Half Price Books. Such a disappointment after her wonderful collection of short stories, "Arranged Marriage." Some of the same compassionate spirit shines through the writing in "Mistress of Spices," but the narrative device dragged it down until it drowned.
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing!
Review: I read this book in one day...coudn't put it down. I could spell and taste the spices right off the pages of this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Mistress of Spices
Review: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's book, The Mistress of Spices, is a luminous and heart rending excursion into the human spirit. A magical tale, twisting with threads spun from the purist colors of love and emotion, it delves deep into the place where true healing lives, and unfolds the most human of hearts. It is rare that a novel even approachs this end.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy - Alive and Kicking!
Review: I bought this book because of the sheer fantasy and escapism I knew it would bring me - I wasn't disappointed; It was wonderful! I love the way the book reflects the shame of domestic abuse still felt by today's woman; the ostracism felt by a teenager; cross-cultural love; the older woman and a love that's meant to be. All this in a short book! The beauty of this book is that it manages to encompass so much with so few words! I've read this book so many times and I can't get tired of it! Why! If your imagination is as wild and fruitful as mine, you will be able to smell the herbs and spices in that little shop! Sheer escapism - fantasies exist to make them come alive! I believe!
Rating:
Summary: A true modern fairy tale!
Review: I loved this book. Even though some of the other negative review comments are somewhat true, the lovely writing and ideas are worth relishing! A great book to read if you're feeling a little down.
Rating:
Summary: I thought this book was excellent.
Review: I loved this story it was absolutely beautiful. I could see all the characters coming to life before my eyes. It would be great if they could make a movie of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellant, vivid, and full of color
Review: I enjoyed this book very much! It was a slow read in the beginning, but as you got into the story and the vivid,colorful descriptions of places and people and feelings, I couldn't put it down. I loved her use of language through the book. You will truly enjoy reading and finishing this book. I was almost sad to have finished it!!
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