One night. Four friends. Countless secrets.

1964. Karachi, Pakistan. Rozeena. The once small and inconsequential differences between their families' social standing now threaten to divide them. Then one fateful night someone ends up dead and the life they once took for granted shatters.

2019. Rozeena receives a call from a voice she never thought she’d hear again. What begins as an ask to look after a friend’s teenaged granddaughter struggling with her own demons grows into an unconventional friendship—one that unearths buried secrets and just might ruin everything Rozeena has worked so hard to protect.

This book has touches on generational trauma and discusses the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. That being said while this book was good there is a lot going on so I wouldn't suggest this as a light reading book. There is quite a number of key characters introduced very quickly and quite a number of complicated family relationships and implications.

I love books based in India and love learning more about the Indian culture and people, which is what drew me to this book. initially. This is a story of friendship, family, secrets and loss....how we make decisions based on what we believe happened but may not know all sides of a situation. This book has a dual timeline story w/ multiple character POVs and begins with Partition and the trauma it caused. The characters were interesting and well developed although some felt forced or unnecessary to the main story. I also felt that some of the characters storylines could have been expanded on to make them make more sense to the story, at times it felt the reader was given details or side storylines that really had no bearing on what was happening or the characters motivation did not make sense. I also felt the ending needed an epiloque. It felt like the book just ended and an epilogue could have really helped tie up the story nicely. I needed more after being so engaged in the story for the duration of the book.

I just loved this book! I learned about the Partition which was a new topic for me.
But most importantly, the book explores the friendships and tightly held secrets among four young people. The prose is inspiring and the two timelines work well together. In a way, the book is heartbreaking as you think about what might have been.

The story goes back and forth between the 1960's and 2019. Rozeena's memories tell the tales of family struggles when forced to leave their home due to Partition, her and her friends trying to overcome cultural expectations to forge their own paths, and the consequences of their choices.

Some parts are a bit slow, but overall it was a good book with common themes that most everyone faces: how to find your own way even if it doesn't match what society or family expects, sacrificing that maybe doesn't matter in the end, and opening up to unexpected relationships.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my opinion.

Compelling read set in the backdrop of the partition. You will love it if you like family sagas. Thank you NetGalley for giving me a free copy of the book. This one is a gem!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. I did not see the ending coming and several unexpected twists.
The British randomly deciding how to split Muslims from Hindus definitely did not account for the actual humans that had to migrate to their side (ie Pakistan or India). A story that incorporates family and friend relationships.

Pakistan, at the time of its partition from India, was a scary place, especially for children. Many families fled there for their lives. This story takes place in a neighborhood where people from different walks of life had come to make a new life.

Over time the young people from four families bonded. Best friends became loyal ones. And then tragedy struck. Four who truly love each other come together one last time and make a decision that will forever change their lives. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story, and I can actually see it as a movie.

The author has done well to provide the background and the cultural and social forces that were such a strong part of those lives. The story unfolds in a dual time period. First, in 1964, we learn about everyone’s lives and hopes and dreams. Then in 2019 we find out what became of them. Sometimes there is some confusion as to who is being referred to, but this does not mar the flow of the story.

I loved this story. I found the characters engaging and well developed. I like how the story went back and forth without being confusing. Overall, a wonderful read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of Under the Tamarind Tree.

I truly enjoyed reading about another culture, hidden secrets, and close friendships. The dual setting taken place in Pakistan of the 1960's and present day Pakistan.

I only wished there were more details about the the Partition - perpetrators of the horrific violence as Muslims ran for safety from violent crowds and burning homes.

(4.5 stars) This is a story of secrets and how they can shape lives.

Rozeena’s story starts in Pakistan in 1964, 17 years after Partition changed her family forever. (I’m almost ashamed to admit that I didn’t know more about Partition until I read this book. It was such a heartbreaking time for the up to 20 million people displaced and up to 2 million killed.) Rozeena and her three best friends – Haaris, AAlya and Zohair –played closely in childhood, but now face differences in social standing. As Rozeena gets ready to start her medical career, Haaris plans a large neighborhood party. Someone will die at this party, and the futures of the four friends will be forever changed.

The story from the past alternates with one in 2019, which finds an aging Rozeena receiving a telephone call from a voice from the past, asking if she can offer her niece (grand-niece?) an internship of sorts helping in her garden. Rozeena agrees to the plan, not realizing that this will put into motion the uncovering of secrets long buried.

This book was organized exactly to my liking, with hints to the secrets being presented early and the uncovering of the history behind the secrets following. It’s a layered story, with myriad secrets from both the past and the present. I raced to find out what was behind each character’s actions and how the story would end. This is an impressive novel, especially for a debut. I recommend it and look forward to this author’s output in the years to come.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with an e-ARC of this title.

A touching novel that explained the thoughtless and sloppy partition of India and Pakistan that ruined so many lives.
The prose was moving and touching that told about the lives affected by this historical event that the history books won't teach.
I learned something valuable while reading a great book and definitely recommend this title, Under the Tamarind Tree.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

A bit of history mixed with secrets has made a good story with this novel. The past is one many want to keep from repeating but how can one not repeat what they do not know. The secret kept in this story will leave you questioning your morals.

The use of a dual time frame may be trendy, but the plot is gripping and the characters fascinating.. Set in Pakistan during and after Partition, the story unfolds the tragic effect of the great population transfer on one group of people who struggle to accept their losses, build new lives, and learn to live with their terrible mistakes. Under the Tamarind Tree is an engrossing novel. You not only want to find out what happened but also want to know what and why.

Under The Tamarind Tree is a story that bounces back and forth between dual timelines, about life changing events for a set of friends in Karachi, Pakistan. The story is captivating and heartbreaking, there’s just so much going on. There are SO many secrets, twists/turns and jaw dropping moments.

I knew nothing of the Partition in India in the 40’s until I read this book, so I was grateful to learn that history. I found the main character Rozeena to be a very likeable character and adored her relationship with her longtime friend Haaris’s granddaughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read a copy of this book.

I did not know much about the PARTITION - in 1947 when Pakistan and India were separated post disolution of Britain rule. And like any time we have heard of a division - sloppily done, impacting villages, communities and families.

Rozeena's family had to flee to Karachi, Pakistan following the partition and her brother lost his life trying to save her. She has worked hard to become a doctor. She struggles to create a practice as she and her friends (Haaris, Aalya and Zohair) try to find their way in their mid 20's. Class issues, family beliefs and superstitions create obstacles for all of the friends. A death at a party that they all attend changes their lives forever.

I loved this book and you will too! If you love family stories, traveling to other countries and learning about other cultures or just enjoy a book of many secret old connections, Under the Tamarind Tree is for you!
. #PenguinGroup #Putnam #UnderTheTamarindTree #NigarAlam

**Huge thanks to Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review***

The book does start off a bit slow and it was extremely hard for me to stay with the plot. However, once the first secret was revealed, I was hooked to find out the reveal of the other secrets. I was worried that the reveal at the end would be underwhelming, but it did not disappoint. The secrets were big and there many, giving this novel a soap opera vibe. This was a beautiful story of friendship, family, sacrifice, and loss. The characters were well developed, and one could easily connect with them. The story takes place in Pakistan and it goes back in forth between the 1964 and 2019. I appreciated that the author educates the reader of a history event that affected many Muslims fleeing from India to Pakistan and the culture. I would recommend this book for those that want the opportunity to peek at another part of the world and culture and I look forward to reading other works from this author.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/106711974-roxana-vilchiz

Much thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC. The story takes place in 2019 but truly begins with the Partition of India and Pakistan and continues into 1964. The Partition in 1947 changed the life of Rozeena but from it, she met her childhood best friends, Haaris, Zohair, and Aalya. In 1964, a night changes their lives forever with an unexpected death and the secrets and lies they grew up with unravel. In 2019, Rozeena makes contact with her old friend, Haaris, and begins a friendship and internship with his granddaughter. As Rozee helps his granddaughter with her trauma, she works through the memories of the trauma she experienced as a child and then a young adult.

You can tell the author did research for the time and place. I found the characters were well-described and realistic. But there are a lot of characters and following who is related to who is difficult at times. I think some of this may be due to bits of Urdu sprinkled into the text along with titles. If you struggle with names, it might be good to jot them down as you read. But keeping the main 6 or so characters straight wasn't difficult. There are slower parts to the story and parts that don't seem to contribute to the main theme (one character missing temporarily, for example). I love books that circle around at the end to wrap everything up and link all the parts of the past back to the present and thought that was done well.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I found this book fascinating since it was a part of global history that isn't really touched on in American schools. The interweaving of families who helped each other, friends who covered up secrets, and how they altered their lives completely to protect those secrets resonates with anyone who dealt with generational trauma. Overall, I look forward to seeing more from Author Nigar Alam and found this to be a very strong debut novel that will be released in August 2023.

Under the Tamarind Tree jumps between 1964 and 2019 Pakistan, following Rozeena. In 1964, Rozeena is starting her career as a young doctor. In 2019, she's an older woman who loves to garden and agrees to hire an old friend's granddaughter to help out for the summer.

I couldn't get into this book, mainly because the first chunk was so different from the description. The tagline description, "one night, four friends, countless secrets," led me to believe this would be a thrilling, fast-paced book. I didn't reach the end, but the story's beginning certainly wasn't. Suspense was artificially created because I knew there were supposed to be secrets. The 1964 chunks of the book had countdowns (like "5 days before"), so we knew something was coming. But nothing in the story led us to believe something was coming. This manufactured drama annoys me. I wonder if with a different description I would have liked the book more.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars: This is a beautiful tale of friendship, family, secrets, loss, and the rules, binds, and power (or lack thereof) associated with culture and society. The novel is a dual timeline story beginning with Partition and the violence and trauma it brought. The characters were well developed and easily elicited connection. There was a powerful theme of friendship, family and love, and the lengths people will go and the secrets they will keep to protect it. Despite the intention to protect, the secrets become oppressive and serve to continue the trajectory of intergenerational trauma. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves…

I would highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s sons for this arc copy!

In Under the Tamarind Tree, Rozeena Masood's past and present secrets swirl together, threatening to undermine the life she has built for herself and her family. Told from the perspectives of "Then" and "Now", we experience Rozeena's young adulthood and old age in post-partition Pakistan and get to know the people who have come in and out of her life.

I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately I'd have to rate it as just ok. There are more words used than are necessary to drive the plot, and entire arcs seem inconsequential. I think the summary makes this work seem like more of a thriller than it actually is, which might be the reason it felt underwhelming. The bigger reveals at the end are satisfying, however. I also liked learning more about the culture and history of Pakistan as experienced by Rozeena and her friends.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of Under the Tamarind Tree in exchange for an honest review.