☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars.
I’m trying to think of what to say about why I found Night Jasmine Tree so compelling, beautiful, and moving that I read the last few pages through tears in my eyes.
The word decency comes to mind, the author sharing with us the world of a protagonist struggling to find his way through strictures imposed by the religion and culture into which he was born, losing and gaining approval, love, and connection over the years.
But “decent” doesn’t mean dull! This novel is rich in humor and in colorful stories inspired by the author’s growing up in post-colonial India. I savored the details on every page.
Like Debu Majumdar’s previous novel, Sacred River, this is a generous book, a sincere gift from the author to his readers, a gift I cherish.
Kristina Bak