This novel is set in India 1947.  The British are set to move out of India and the country is to be divided into India and Pakistan.  Many people in the country will be displaced as Muslims head north, Hindis move south, and those that do not wish to move are concerned for their safety.  Martin is a historian and his assignment is to document this “Partition”.  He brings with him is wife Evie, and his very young son Billy.  As Evie settles into her new home and as she hopes this new start in India will release her husband from the mental scars left on him from WWII, she finds a packet of letters in their home, and a story from the 1850s of two brave young women, Adela Winfield and Felicity Chadwick emerges. Our author, Elle Newmark alternates between the two stories and in doing so she creates a rich picture of India in both centuries as well as beautifully strong women characters. This is a great book club choice with lots of to discuss from the history of India, to how to deal with difficult relationships, to the complex characters within her stories. -- Sina H.

The Sandalwood Tree (Hardcover)

By Elle Newmark

$25.99

ISBN-13: 9781416590590
Availability: On Our Shelves Now - Call to Confirm
Published: Atria Books, 4/2011

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