Rating: 
Summary: Suffers from sequel-itis.
Review: The Prologue of this novel, a birthing scene, is masterful--a classic example of the canon of fiction in which the writer creates a scene so vibrant and specific that the reader experiences it vicariously and draws conclusions about its characters on his own. Unfortunately, the immediacy of the Prologue is not sustained. In this sequel to Sister of My Heart, the author follows the three main characters after they leave India for the United States, giving the reader some background about them, and also including their large "support system" back home. But characters who were important in the first book (virtually all of them except the triangle of Anju, Sunil, and Sudha) have no direct role in this story at all, and their inclusion here, via letters, diaries, flashbacks, and references, serves as filler, a distraction, rather than as an integral part of the action.Anju's invitation to her cousin and dearest friend, Sudha, and her baby, to stay with Anju and her husband in their tiny apartment, sets the stage for what might have been an intense study of characters interacting. Instead, the author backs off, "telling about" what's happening, rather than creating scenes. She also "tells about" the characters, rather than allowing us to draw conclusions from the action on our own. Sentences, such as the following, are common: "He should have known by now that Anju wasn't one to hide her meanings," "These are what the people closest to me are afraid of...," followed by a list, or "What fibers of steel are woven into Sudha's will..." Instead of creating intense scenes that directly involve the reader's heart, Divakaruni often becomes cute, involving the reader by addressing him/her directly, "Can you sense inside him the desire for speed?" or, when Sudha gets a letter, "We want Sudha to open her letter, but she goes about her daily chores with exasperating meticulousness," and "Have we underestimated Sudha?" Though the book is just published in 2002, the author has chosen to set the action in 1994 in order to draw deliberate parallels between what is happening in this triangle and the O.J. Simpson case, with which Sunil is obsessed. This artifice continues when Sunil returns home temporarily to help his mother settle his father's estate: "It is the year of exiles returning home: Arafat to Gaza, Solzhenitsyn to Russia, and Sunil to a childhood he thinks of as an unhealed wound," not exactly comparable events. This is a simple, episodic tale written by an author whose work here lacks the subtlety and clear point of view one has come to expect from her previous writing.
Rating: 
Summary: A sequel to THE SISTER OF MY HEART
Review: THE VINE OF DESIRE by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni The sequel to her popular SISTER OF MY HEART, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's THE VINE OF DESIRE follows the story of the two "sisters" Anju and Sudha from India to America. While SISTER OF MY HEART focused a lot on their past family history and Indian culture and folklore, THE VINE OF DESIRE centers more on the present, and the relationship of the two sisters which is put into a precarious state by a third person, Anju's husband Sunil. Anju invites her sister Sudha to live with her and Sunil in America. Sudha is divorced with a baby, and with a shaky future ahead of them both, Anju knew that the only means of survival for Suhda would be to come to America. Sudha leaves behind the love of her life, Ashok, whom she gave her heart to when she was a young girl, but for some reason she refuses to return to him after her failed arranged marriage. And Anju, with her new life in America and her new husband Sunil, is looking for something beyond being just a wife and future mother. While Anju looks for life outside the household, Sunil finds himself distracted by the presence of his sister-in-law, who he has always loved in secret since before he married his wife. And Sudha is fully aware of this. It's a complicated mess and life does not get any better for Sudha, and gets only worse for Anju and Sunil. Although THE VINE OF DESIRE was not as good a novel as the original book, I still found myself wanting to finish this book to find out whether Anju and Sudha find the happiness they are seeking in America. Is it true that the grass is greener on the other side? Should Sudha have stayed in India and returned to Ashok? The reader is left to find out what happens to both sisters. I recommend THE VINE OF DESIRE to those who have enjoyed SISTER OF MY HEART. For more by Divakaruni, I would suggest reading THE MISTRESS OF SPICES, which is by far her best novel yet.
Rating:
Summary: Jealousy
Review: The Vine of Desire is a sequel to Sister of My Heart. It's the story of Anjou and Sudha, two cousins who have come to California from Calcutta. Both have problems from the past that they hope to begin healing through their relationship with each other - while at the same time learning to live with the knowledge that Anjou's husband is obviously attracted to Sudha. This book is written in a lyrical style, full of sensory descriptions that make it possible to absorb the writing thru the pores. Just open yourself to the colors, scents, sounds, and passion in Divakaruni's words - and melt into her world.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT WORTH THE READ
Review: This book is in no way worth a full set of stars. I have read all of Divakaruni's novels/stories-- if you want good stuff, then stick to her beautifully written collection "Arranged Marriage" or even the prequel to this book "Sister of My Heart" which is much better written. In this novel, she goes overboard with the elements of fantasy and imagination, lacking entirely the magic of the previous novel, drawing the book too far away from any type of realism. This is what I so disliked in "The Mistress of Spices." The characters become flat and one-dimensional. Sunil, the husband, is a pathetic Indian man, Sudha simply a beautiful Indian woman. The plot seems to drag on and on without resolving itself, throwing all the characters into desperation and depression. It also takes its fair share of unnecessary events, especially the addition of a character named "Lalit," a smart and witty Americanized doctor who exists only to reaffirm Sudha's sex appeal (which is already glaringly apparent through Sunil's obsession with her). The changing format of the novel takes on too many forms and becomes confusing and vaguely annoying rather than adding anything to the reading or giving insights into the character's thoughts. The novel comes to a predictable and unsatisfying end... which is completely unsurprising after the way the book read. If you must read it, don't get your hopes up. Really disappointing-- make up your own ending to Sudha and Anju's story.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but left me wanting...
Review: This book was certainly as compelling as the first -- Sister of My Heart. This author has a talent for artistry with her writing, weaving a tapestry with words. Beginning where Sister of My Heart left off, with Sudha starting her new life in America despite pleas from an old love for marriage, this book opens with intensity. Anju's husband Sunil has strong feelings for Sudha, and they are reignited when Sudha moves in with child. Anju and Sunil's marriage has been rocky since the loss of their baby, and Sudha's moving in does not help. The reader has to wonder why Anju or Sudha thought it would, or if in fact they knew it might not, but needed certain truths to be revealed. Sudha tries to build a life for herself and her baby in America, attempting to date, and to find work. However, Sunil has other plans for her. This said, the triangle between these three comes to a pivitol stage, and Sudha moves out on her own, having found work and a place to live. Anju and Sunil also must work to salvage their lives, whatever paths they may take. Ultimately, this book is about transformation and growth. It is about expectations vs. reality. And it teaches a lot about the Indian culture, as well as what it is like to be immersed into a completely foreign culture. Sudha experiences a lot of transformation as she realizes the freedoms that come with a culture so different from her own. Again, at the end, I was left wanting for so much more. I am hoping there is a third to this series in the making, and will be disappointed if there is not. There was so much left unanswered. Three lives have yet to be developed in the new paths they've taken.
Rating:
Summary: SO REAL!!! A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL BOOK
Review: This is a wonderful, wonderful deep, rich book. Especially if you are into women's stories. I had to read it in small installments as every word that CBD writes makes you feel as if you are living the lives of Anju and Sudha. Sometimes it was painful to read but that is meant as a compliment to the writer who can evoke such strong feelings and memories for the reader. I cannot wait for her next book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Sad story about recovery from grief, finding the right path.
Review: Vine of Desire continues the story of Anju and Sudha whom we met in Sister of My Heart. Even though Sudha and her daughter Dayita had already arrived in California at the end of the previous book, this book begins before they arrive in America to live with Anju and her husband Sunil. I suppose it was to reorient us and to provide insight into Anju's state of mind after the loss of her child. Sudha's visit was meant to help Anju recover from her grief while providing Sudha the time to think about her future now that she is a divorced single mother. But the hurt and desires of the 3 adults living together is not a recipe for healing and they struggle to find the right path. While America allows many personal freedoms they would not have in India, they are bound by the duty, tradition and honor that their heritage teaches. The obvious love triangle - Sunil is married to Anju, but in love with Sudha - adds a great deal of tension. The author uses several creative writing techniques in this book that were not present in Sister of My Heart. For the most part, they helped me understand the inner conflicts of the characters. In addition to the alternating chapters which show you the point of view of Sudha and Anju (that I was so fond of in Sister of My Heart) there are first person accounts from several of the men in the book including Sunil and chapters narrated in third person. There are also letters back and forth between the mothers in India, the people in America, Sudha's suitors etc. But several of the writing techniques were annoying. The author frequently lists current events with special focus on the O.J. Simpson murder trial. I understood the point of including these newsflashes, but I found it distracting. She also has a tendency to overwrite a moment by repeating the characters feelings or continuing with descriptions of their feelings for longer than I would have liked. I have a great deal of respect for the way that the author successfully expanded her writing style and in turn expanded the reading experience. It is essentially successful in spite of the minor flaws. But all the characters are drowning in sorrow and confusion and although the end provides a ray of hope, the book is overall very sad. I do recommend it, but don't read this if you are looking for the charming story about the bonds between women that I found in Sister of My Heart. The bonds are still there, but they are sorely tested.
Rating:
Summary: Sad story about recovery from grief, finding the right path.
Review: Vine of Desire continues the story of Anju and Sudha whom we met in Sister of My Heart. Even though Sudha and her daughter Dayita had already arrived in California at the end of the previous book, this book begins before they arrive in America to live with Anju and her husband Sunil. I suppose it was to reorient us and to provide insight into Anju's state of mind after the loss of her child. Sudha's visit was meant to help Anju recover from her grief while providing Sudha the time to think about her future now that she is a divorced single mother. But the hurt and desires of the 3 adults living together is not a recipe for healing and they struggle to find the right path. While America allows many personal freedoms they would not have in India, they are bound by the duty, tradition and honor that their heritage teaches. The obvious love triangle - Sunil is married to Anju, but in love with Sudha - adds a great deal of tension. The author uses several creative writing techniques in this book that were not present in Sister of My Heart. For the most part, they helped me understand the inner conflicts of the characters. In addition to the alternating chapters which show you the point of view of Sudha and Anju (that I was so fond of in Sister of My Heart) there are first person accounts from several of the men in the book including Sunil and chapters narrated in third person. There are also letters back and forth between the mothers in India, the people in America, Sudha's suitors etc. But several of the writing techniques were annoying. The author frequently lists current events with special focus on the O.J. Simpson murder trial. I understood the point of including these newsflashes, but I found it distracting. She also has a tendency to overwrite a moment by repeating the characters feelings or continuing with descriptions of their feelings for longer than I would have liked. I have a great deal of respect for the way that the author successfully expanded her writing style and in turn expanded the reading experience. It is essentially successful in spite of the minor flaws. But all the characters are drowning in sorrow and confusion and although the end provides a ray of hope, the book is overall very sad. I do recommend it, but don't read this if you are looking for the charming story about the bonds between women that I found in Sister of My Heart. The bonds are still there, but they are sorely tested.
Rating: 
Summary: good material for one episode...
Review: When I first began to read this book I was a little disappointed and a lot confused- the writing style was completely new and jarring, and 3 person/ 1st person flying something or the other. After resting from those first few pages I again picked it up now knowing a bit of what to expect and I plunged it to it.
The story is great, Divakaruni is truly a gifted storyteller, but the constant reference to news stories- particularly the OJ trial was overbearing. It is clear to see that she was trying different things in her writing, and while I appreciate it, there is such thing as overdoing a good joke.
I enojyed the book though- she left room for a continuation, and I wouldnt mind reading about Anju and Sudha again. I love their characters. It's a good book- if you have a chance- read the much better written Sister of my heart and then The vine of desire.
Rating:
Summary: Good Plot Tedious Writing
Review: When I first began to read this book I was a little disappointed and a lot confused- the writing style was completely new and jarring, and 3 person/ 1st person flying something or the other. After resting from those first few pages I again picked it up now knowing a bit of what to expect and I plunged it to it.
The story is great, Divakaruni is truly a gifted storyteller, but the constant reference to news stories- particularly the OJ trial was overbearing. It is clear to see that she was trying different things in her writing, and while I appreciate it, there is such thing as overdoing a good joke.
I enojyed the book though- she left room for a continuation, and I wouldnt mind reading about Anju and Sudha again. I love their characters. It's a good book- if you have a chance- read the much better written Sister of my heart and then The vine of desire.
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