Tamarind Woman Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

1. Before commencing the story itself, Badami provides this definition of the tamarind tree: "Folklore has it that the tamarind tree is the home of spirits that do not let anything under the tree survive. Accordingly, travelers are advised not to sleep in its shade. The tamarind tree is never used for auspicious ceremonies, as its fruit is sour. It is believed that the ceremony will turn sour and thus become fruitless and lose all meaning. "How did this definition color your reading of the story? Is Saroja the only "Tamarind Woman" in the story? What about Kamini? Amma?
   
   
2. In their first exchange of the novel, Kamini complains to her mother that "you are inventing memories." Were there points of disconnect between Kamini's remembrance of the past and Saroja's? If so, whose tale do you believe? Why?
   
   
3. What did you think about the structure of the novel? Did you find it enhanced the story to have two separate voices, each located in the present and narrating a version of the past? Why do you think Kamini's voice begins the story, even though her remembrances occur after Saroja's? Why might Badami write the novel this way?
   
   

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Bloomsbury USA. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.