Review of When the Tamarind Tree Blooms

[Jessica Schaaf Zahner]

[Following is a volunteer review of "When the Tamarind Tree Blooms" by Elaine Russell.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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When the Tamarind Trees Bloom by Elaine Russell is a truly riveting story. Taking place in a tumultuous French Colonial Laos, the story follows the journey of self-discovery for a young orphan, Genevieve, upon the coming of age and transitioning into the outside world. This historical fiction novel feels different from the bulk of historical fiction I have previously read and I believe other readers who enjoy this genre will likely find this a worthwhile read. The author, Elaine Russell, does a wonderful job of fully transporting the reader into another culture and time period, leaving imaginations well fed. The pages are filled with hope, romance, and betrayals, leaving you wanting to find out more. I found myself rooting for Genevieve each step of the way as she traversed many difficulties involving mixed culture, societal standings, emotional strain and heartbreak. The chapters flow effortlessly and it is a story many readers will not want to put down! I found myself having a love-hate relationship with several characters, specifically Bounmy and Julian, as the plot line twisted and the characters flop-flopped between portraying moral and immoral actions. Readers should beware that there are topics covered in this story not suitable for young adult readers, including sexuality, abuse, and loss. This is not a flaw of the story, but rather is what may make the story relatable to so many at times. I highly enjoyed this book and will readily recommend it to others. Thankfully, the reader is not left with any cliffhangers, but rather a sense of hope as the story ends. My only critique is that I wish the book continued on to further expand certain relationships present at the end. In some ways, it felt like it ended too soon! It would be wonderful to see a sequel in the future. 5/5 stars and a job well done for Elaine Russell.

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When the Tamarind Tree Blooms
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