Take a photo of a barcode or cover
_askthebookbug 's review for:
The Witch In The Peepul Tree
by Arefa Tehsin, Arefa Tehsin
The Witch in the Peepul Tree at its very core is a murder mystery but what makes it interesting is the clever use of societal norms that Arefa has imbibed in the story. The story is set in 1950, India just a few years shy of being independent and so we see people from different social statuses struggling to cope with the changes. Casteism is at its peak and manipulation is an essential tool for the rich to get things done. Amidst all this, a 16 year old young lady is found dead in her room on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. Her father, Dada Bhai is a renowned man who is both loved and respected by the tribals and those who are trampled by the upper castes.
The book begins when Sanaz is found dead in her room. Arefa immediately introduces an array of characters, each having their own chapters and whose paths meet on that particular day. There’s the Zamindar, Rao Sahib and the Middleman, Hariharan who visit Dada Bhai each with their own motives. Then there are the untouchables, Bhola and his wife Parijat who are nightsoil workers. Two tribals who arrive at the house for some work. Dada Bhai’s widowed old mother and another widow who acts as their caretaker have their own stories to tell. A skinny lad Ismail, who has a cheeky grin and a sharp tongue working for the family. All of these eccentric characters are given enough importance to keep the story going. So when the murder occurs, everyone becomes a suspect.
This story is indulging in nature and it is more character driven than the murder itself. We see the rich exploiting the poor, the jealousy that comes from being loved by many and complex relationships. Arefa has done a splendid job in tying loose ends of the story. It almost felt like watching tributaries flowing into a river. I did feel that the story dragged a bit in the middle, some unnecessary details tempting me to skim through the pages. But I most certainly didn’t see the twist in the end.
If you’re looking for a unique murder mystery that has a deep background, then you’ll probably like this book. Thanks for the copy @harpercollinsin ✨
The book begins when Sanaz is found dead in her room. Arefa immediately introduces an array of characters, each having their own chapters and whose paths meet on that particular day. There’s the Zamindar, Rao Sahib and the Middleman, Hariharan who visit Dada Bhai each with their own motives. Then there are the untouchables, Bhola and his wife Parijat who are nightsoil workers. Two tribals who arrive at the house for some work. Dada Bhai’s widowed old mother and another widow who acts as their caretaker have their own stories to tell. A skinny lad Ismail, who has a cheeky grin and a sharp tongue working for the family. All of these eccentric characters are given enough importance to keep the story going. So when the murder occurs, everyone becomes a suspect.
This story is indulging in nature and it is more character driven than the murder itself. We see the rich exploiting the poor, the jealousy that comes from being loved by many and complex relationships. Arefa has done a splendid job in tying loose ends of the story. It almost felt like watching tributaries flowing into a river. I did feel that the story dragged a bit in the middle, some unnecessary details tempting me to skim through the pages. But I most certainly didn’t see the twist in the end.
If you’re looking for a unique murder mystery that has a deep background, then you’ll probably like this book. Thanks for the copy @harpercollinsin ✨