{"product_id":"the-vine-of-desire","title":"The Vine of Desire by Julia Whelan, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBook Summary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"142\" data-end=\"179\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"22\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1\" data-end=\"21\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe Vine of Desire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is a heartfelt sequel to \u003cem data-start=\"48\" data-end=\"68\"\u003eSister of My Heart\u003c\/em\u003e, continuing the story of cousins \u003cstrong data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"110\"\u003eAnju\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"115\" data-end=\"124\"\u003eSudha\u003c\/strong\u003e as they navigate life in California. Reuniting after years apart and following personal tragedies—Anju's miscarriage and Sudha's divorce—their bond is tested by new challenges. Sudha moves in, raising her infant daughter \u003cstrong data-start=\"346\" data-end=\"356\"\u003eDayita\u003c\/strong\u003e, and soon becomes the object of Anju’s husband \u003cstrong data-start=\"404\" data-end=\"413\"\u003eSunil\u003c\/strong\u003e's obsession, creating a tense love triangle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"181\" data-end=\"257\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eMeanwhile, both integrate into American life: Anju returns to college and rediscovers her passion for writing; Sudha finds work and support in unexpected friendships. Cultural dislocation, shifting family roles, and the pull of identity shape each character's growth. The emotional stakes heighten when trust breaks and long-held loyalties are strained—forcing them to question family, independence, and desire. Divakaruni delivers a richly emotional narrative on friendship, betrayal, and immigrant self-discovery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"181\" data-end=\"257\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"475\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChitra Banerjee Divakaruni\u003c\/strong\u003e (b. 1956, Kolkata) is an acclaimed Indian‑American novelist, poet, and creative writing professor at the University of Houston\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between absolute\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"-me-1 flex h-full items-center rounded-full px-1 text-[#8F8F8F]\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eA winner of the American Book Award for her short story collection \u003cem data-start=\"67\" data-end=\"86\"\u003eArranged Marriage\u003c\/em\u003e (1996), she writes across genres—realistic, historical fiction, magical realism, and YA fantasy—often portraying the South Asian immigrant experience\u003c\/span\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"477\" data-end=\"553\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eHer bibliography includes major novels like \u003cem data-start=\"44\" data-end=\"68\"\u003eThe Mistress of Spices\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"70\" data-end=\"90\"\u003eSister of My Heart\u003c\/em\u003e, and the \u003cem data-start=\"100\" data-end=\"113\"\u003eMahabharata\u003c\/em\u003e retelling \u003cem data-start=\"124\" data-end=\"149\"\u003eThe Palace of Illusions\u003c\/em\u003e, as well as children’s fantasy series (e.g., \u003cem data-start=\"195\" data-end=\"225\"\u003eThe Brotherhood of the Conch\u003c\/em\u003e). Her work has been featured in \u003cem data-start=\"258\" data-end=\"274\"\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"276\" data-end=\"298\"\u003eThe Atlantic Monthly\u003c\/em\u003e, and other prestigious outlets, and has been translated into over 29 languages\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between absolute\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"-me-1 flex h-full items-center rounded-full px-1 text-[#8F8F8F]\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"635\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDivakaruni \u003c\/strong\u003eoften explores themes of female resilience, cultural duality, and relationships in transition—blending lyrical language, emotional depth, and cross-cultural insight. She is also the founder of social-justice helplines for South Asian women (Maitri, Daya) and a vocal advocate for diversity in literature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Best of Used books","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":43882819027201,"sku":"2CRZTX876-Used","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0421\/4299\/0495\/products\/TheVineofDesire.jpg?v=1627243426","url":"https:\/\/bestofusedbooks.com\/products\/the-vine-of-desire","provider":"Best Of Used Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}