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The Woman Who Climbed Trees
A young bride must leave her life in India behind when she moves to Nepal with her new husband and his family in this incandescent, poignant debut novel which examines the sorrow and deep sense of loss experienced when we abandon our former selves and our dreams.
"Is this a ghost story?" Meena asked the barber's wife who told the tale. "I don't want to hear scary stories one night before I marry."
"Not all ghost stories are scary," said the barber's wife, laughing at Meena. "Besides, we have a long time before us, and stories are little baskets to carry time away in."
Exquisitely written, a blend of ghost stories, myths, and song, The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a haunting, deeply felt multi-generational story that illuminates the transitional nature of women's lives and the feeling of loss they experience, as they give up one home and family to become part of another.
When she marries a man from Nepal, Meena must leave behind her family and home in India and forge a new identity in a strange place. The Woman Who Climbed Trees follows her, the women who surround her, and the daughter she eventually raises, as they carefully navigate the uncertain tides of their diasporic lives. Smriti Ravindra beautifully captures these women's pain and nostalgia for the past--of a country left behind, of innocence lost, of a former self, of dreams forsaken.
"Is this a ghost story?" Meena asked the barber's wife who told the tale. "I don't want to hear scary stories one night before I marry."
"Not all ghost stories are scary," said the barber's wife, laughing at Meena. "Besides, we have a long time before us, and stories are little baskets to carry time away in."
Exquisitely written, a blend of ghost stories, myths, and song, The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a haunting, deeply felt multi-generational story that illuminates the transitional nature of women's lives and the feeling of loss they experience, as they give up one home and family to become part of another.
When she marries a man from Nepal, Meena must leave behind her family and home in India and forge a new identity in a strange place. The Woman Who Climbed Trees follows her, the women who surround her, and the daughter she eventually raises, as they carefully navigate the uncertain tides of their diasporic lives. Smriti Ravindra beautifully captures these women's pain and nostalgia for the past--of a country left behind, of innocence lost, of a former self, of dreams forsaken.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
73 people are currently reading
2207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 10, 2023
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A beautiful, haunting family saga that explores loss, sexuality, and the power of stories. As we follow the troubled life of Meena, and later her daughter Preeti, we see the devastating loss of choice that women face, the many disappointments of life, and how people are often bound together not just through happiness, but also tragedy and spite. We see the escape that stories provide, the comfort, and how memories are so often colored by myth, by a longing for what could have been. Through every woman discussed in this novel, a new dimension is added to the overarching story, the themes of loss and grief, of unrequited love, with makes a gorgeous parallel to the beaches of a tree, promising release and secrets within its heights. This is a fantastically compelling debut.
May 3, 2024
[0.5/10]
I was SO excited about this book having read the back cover and hype surrounding it. Especially since there aren't many Nepalese books getting published by big publishing houses. I cannot even begin to describe my disappointment and loathing of this book.
I really tried to like this book because I would love to see more Nepali representation in books. I was excited to read this book that has been compared to Allende (disrespectful to Allende), claims to illustrate the Madhesi experience (barely), and explores feminism and female sexuality (harmfully).
The story is told in multiple POVs that jump across time in a way that jumbles the narrative and adds nothing to the story. We mainly follow Meena as she adjusts to life in Nepal and her daughter as she just...exists I guess. There isn't a plot or much that happens, which I can deal with in books, but there are also no interesting or well-developed characters, the setting is underwhelming, and the writing at times is comically flowery. The most interesting thing in the book was the ~20 or so pages where we get immersed in the anti-monarchy protests in Madhesi communities. This book doesn't do much justice for the Madhesi perspective because it is mostly an afterthought in the books.
This book seeks to accomplish a lot but accomplishes nothing. The author wants to include the pure love between women by including an incest scene which adds nothing to the narrative. The love the POV characters have for their women crushes makes me suspect whether the author has ever met any queer women in her life. The author fails to illustrate the wonderful diversity within Nepali culture and her descriptions of Kathmandu feel flat. Not that it matters, but the author also incorrectly claims the Indian ancestry of the monarchy, even though it is known they are from the Gorkha kingdom. I think the flattening of Nepali culture ultimately does a disservice to Nepal as a whole, especially since this book was (somehow) published by a big publishing house.
I struggled through this book just so I could go on a long rant about why I disliked it. The only part of the book that is relatable is when Meena goes to a mental hospital because I also felt like I was going to enter one while reading this. From every angle this book is disappointing. The narrative is jumbled up, the characters are poorly written, the setting is underdeveloped, the writing is meandering, and the plot is nonexistent. I am not sure what the author set out to accomplish by publishing this book, or where the editor was to help refine this book. All I can hope is the next Nepali author does better.
I was SO excited about this book having read the back cover and hype surrounding it. Especially since there aren't many Nepalese books getting published by big publishing houses. I cannot even begin to describe my disappointment and loathing of this book.
I really tried to like this book because I would love to see more Nepali representation in books. I was excited to read this book that has been compared to Allende (disrespectful to Allende), claims to illustrate the Madhesi experience (barely), and explores feminism and female sexuality (harmfully).
The story is told in multiple POVs that jump across time in a way that jumbles the narrative and adds nothing to the story. We mainly follow Meena as she adjusts to life in Nepal and her daughter as she just...exists I guess. There isn't a plot or much that happens, which I can deal with in books, but there are also no interesting or well-developed characters, the setting is underwhelming, and the writing at times is comically flowery. The most interesting thing in the book was the ~20 or so pages where we get immersed in the anti-monarchy protests in Madhesi communities. This book doesn't do much justice for the Madhesi perspective because it is mostly an afterthought in the books.
This book seeks to accomplish a lot but accomplishes nothing. The author wants to include the pure love between women by including an incest scene which adds nothing to the narrative. The love the POV characters have for their women crushes makes me suspect whether the author has ever met any queer women in her life. The author fails to illustrate the wonderful diversity within Nepali culture and her descriptions of Kathmandu feel flat. Not that it matters, but the author also incorrectly claims the Indian ancestry of the monarchy, even though it is known they are from the Gorkha kingdom. I think the flattening of Nepali culture ultimately does a disservice to Nepal as a whole, especially since this book was (somehow) published by a big publishing house.
I struggled through this book just so I could go on a long rant about why I disliked it. The only part of the book that is relatable is when Meena goes to a mental hospital because I also felt like I was going to enter one while reading this. From every angle this book is disappointing. The narrative is jumbled up, the characters are poorly written, the setting is underdeveloped, the writing is meandering, and the plot is nonexistent. I am not sure what the author set out to accomplish by publishing this book, or where the editor was to help refine this book. All I can hope is the next Nepali author does better.
Read
April 26, 2023The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a searing tale of trauma, separation and the circumscription of women's lives on either side of the Indo-Nepal border. This debut novel shines with vivid detail, weaving in folklore and modern cinematic references to create a portrait of heartbreak and maternal love.
In the interests of full disclosure, the author is a personal friend and has been a co-author on one of my early books. But that doesn't mean I'm praising the book without good cause. It is definitely worth reading
In the interests of full disclosure, the author is a personal friend and has been a co-author on one of my early books. But that doesn't mean I'm praising the book without good cause. It is definitely worth reading
April 3, 2023
Intoxicating narrative. The sorrow and deep sense of loss a woman experiences when she abandons her true self and her dreams upon marrying and leaving her life behind in India.
April 13, 2023
No doubt a haunting first novel, The Woman Who Climbed Trees suffers from a case of too much, when it comes to plot lines, and too less when it comes to clarity of (and sticking to) a vision.
The author has gone to great lengths to recreate a social and cultural world from the recent past, but a world that is alien to many in the West, where borders mean so less and yet nationalities mean so much, where names language is so alike and yet words mean so different, and where families are as complex and as simple as - literally anywhere else!
We hear the story from different perspectives, and while the start is really impressive looking, the first section doesn't seem to be able to sustain the momentum it claims to have. The story moves at a slow pace, with numerous twists and diversions and some red herrings too, or some other parts that one struggles to place in the context of the main characters we're reading about, and before long the narrative shifts, again.
In my opinion, the strongest narrative was in the words of the daughter, who is able to express her mother's angst and her father's disillusion, and yet tries really hard to make their two worlds meet. She sees them together, and she sees them so far apart they may well have been on different planets, but she is able to hold our attention, in a way the other sections don't quite cut it.
Even so, towards the end the story rather meanders off, and quite nearly goes off a cliff (!). There are political inundations, sexual allusions, and emotional clashes - that should and seem to matter, but don't quite fit in the narrative of this storyline. One wonders, thinking back to the beginning of the story, where is the author going with this. There are no clear answers, and - yes, life doesn't have to have answers, and this being a slice-of-life story need not have a ribbon-and-a-bow, and all that... but in all fairness, the story would have benefitted from a little sterner editing.
Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperVia and the author for providing an eARC, in exchange for a honest review.
The author has gone to great lengths to recreate a social and cultural world from the recent past, but a world that is alien to many in the West, where borders mean so less and yet nationalities mean so much, where names language is so alike and yet words mean so different, and where families are as complex and as simple as - literally anywhere else!
We hear the story from different perspectives, and while the start is really impressive looking, the first section doesn't seem to be able to sustain the momentum it claims to have. The story moves at a slow pace, with numerous twists and diversions and some red herrings too, or some other parts that one struggles to place in the context of the main characters we're reading about, and before long the narrative shifts, again.
In my opinion, the strongest narrative was in the words of the daughter, who is able to express her mother's angst and her father's disillusion, and yet tries really hard to make their two worlds meet. She sees them together, and she sees them so far apart they may well have been on different planets, but she is able to hold our attention, in a way the other sections don't quite cut it.
Even so, towards the end the story rather meanders off, and quite nearly goes off a cliff (!). There are political inundations, sexual allusions, and emotional clashes - that should and seem to matter, but don't quite fit in the narrative of this storyline. One wonders, thinking back to the beginning of the story, where is the author going with this. There are no clear answers, and - yes, life doesn't have to have answers, and this being a slice-of-life story need not have a ribbon-and-a-bow, and all that... but in all fairness, the story would have benefitted from a little sterner editing.
Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperVia and the author for providing an eARC, in exchange for a honest review.
March 11, 2023
While I am willing to admit that I may be a tad biased since I know the author of this book personally, there is no denying that Smriti’s writing is compelling. Despite being from the same part of the world, this book opened new windows for me through which I could watch this fascinating tale of the complicated lives of Meena and her family unfurl. Smriti’s prose is earthy and is simultaneously lyrical and crude. But there’s even a beauty in the ugliness that this story lays bare for the reader. I loved the book and hope that more readers will be as entranced as I was.
lost-interest
December 22, 2022the first chapters were really engrossing, promising a slow burn tale...but then the writing lost me: "hovering her nipples like bees over [her] mouth". i will give it another chance closer to the pub. day.
August 6, 2023
Disappointing.
July 26, 2023
The author's writing style is commendable, as she expertly crafts the characters and their emotions, allowing readers to empathize with their joys and sorrows. Meena's unflinching determination and her daughter's resilience evoke a strong emotional response, leaving a lasting impression on readers' hearts.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" sheds light on the challenges faced by women in traditional societies and the strength required to confront them. This emotionally charged and thought-provoking tale will undoubtedly resonate with readers who appreciate stories of empowerment, cultural exploration, and the enduring spirit of women.
It is praiseworthy how the author writes since she skillfully creates the people and their feelings, enabling readers to share their happiness and pain. The readers are moved deeply by Meena's unwavering resolve and her daughter's fortitude, and their hearts are left with a lasting memory.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" shows the struggles women experience in traditional civilizations and the courage needed to overcome such difficulties. Readers who enjoy reading about female empowerment, cultural curiosity, and the tenacious spirit of women will surely find this emotionally charged and thought-provoking story compelling.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" sheds light on the challenges faced by women in traditional societies and the strength required to confront them. This emotionally charged and thought-provoking tale will undoubtedly resonate with readers who appreciate stories of empowerment, cultural exploration, and the enduring spirit of women.
It is praiseworthy how the author writes since she skillfully creates the people and their feelings, enabling readers to share their happiness and pain. The readers are moved deeply by Meena's unwavering resolve and her daughter's fortitude, and their hearts are left with a lasting memory.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" shows the struggles women experience in traditional civilizations and the courage needed to overcome such difficulties. Readers who enjoy reading about female empowerment, cultural curiosity, and the tenacious spirit of women will surely find this emotionally charged and thought-provoking story compelling.
May 22, 2024
The Woman Who Climbed the Trees" by Nepali-Indian author Smriti Ravindra is a beautifully written novel that captures the delicate nuances of a young woman's journey through societal constraints and personal discovery. The story revolves around Meena, a fourteen-year-old girl who is forced into marriage with a twenty-one-year-old Manmohan due to her mother's belief that wealth equates to a good husband. Despite her love for studying and her reluctance to marry so young, Meena is pressured into accepting her fate.
Manmohan, who is actually fleeing potential imprisonment by the King of Nepal, initially agrees to the marriage without having met Meena. His friends' descriptions of Meena’s beauty, likening her to the actress Meena Kumari, spur him to sneak a glimpse of her at school, though their plan fails. On the day of their marriage, Meena's life changes dramatically, and she is overcome with sorrow.
After the marriage, Meena moves to Sabaila to live with Manmohan’s family, which includes his elder brother Ashok, his widowed mother Sawari Devi, his sister Binita, his brother’s wife Kumud, and Ashok and Kumud's twins. Meena tries to adapt to her new life but deeply misses her mother and home in Darbhanga. Manmohan frequently travels to Kathmandu in search of a better job, always promising Meena that he will bring her there once he is settled, but these promises remain unfulfilled for over three years.
During this time, Meena suffers from her mother-in-law’s harsh treatment, leading to her frustration. Eventually, she finds solace in her sister-in-law Kumud, and their bond helps her cope with her circumstances. However, her life takes a darker turn when Manmohan finally brings her to Kathmandu, and their relationship deteriorates due to his abuse and the destruction of her dreams.
Attraction to Climbing Trees
Meena’s fascination with climbing trees serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the novel.
Sense of Freedom
Her attraction to trees symbolizes her yearning for freedom in a restrictive society. Climbing trees allows her to temporarily escape the expectations and obligations imposed upon her.
Childhood Connection
The narrative hints at Meena’s childhood experiences, suggesting her love for trees stems from a simpler, more innocent time in her life. This connection evokes a longing for a period when she felt true to herself and unburdened by societal pressures.
Symbol of Rebellion
Climbing trees is a subtle act of defiance for Meena. It represents her resistance to being confined to a traditional role and serves as a silent protest against her constrained environment.
Finding Peace
Climbing trees becomes a sanctuary for Meena, where she finds solace and tranquility.
Emotional Release
The physical exertion of climbing allows Meena to release her pent-up emotions, offering a cathartic escape from her daily struggles.
Connection with Nature
Among the branches, Meena finds a profound connection with nature, which provides her with a sense of belonging and peace that she cannot find in her human relationships. Nature accepts her without judgment, contrasting sharply with the critical eyes of society.
Meditative Experience
Climbing becomes a form of meditation for Meena, requiring her to focus and be present in the moment, quieting her worries and anxieties. This meditative state brings her clarity and inner peace.
Empowerment
Each climb strengthens Meena’s sense of self and empowerment. The trees become a place where she can assert her identity and agency, reclaiming parts of herself that were suppressed. This empowerment is not only physical but also emotional and psychological, giving her the courage to be true to herself.
Conclusion
Smriti Ravindra’s portrayal of Meena in "The Woman Who Climbed the Trees" is a delicate exploration of a woman's quest for freedom and peace in the face of societal constraints. Meena's attraction to climbing trees and the peace she finds there is a powerful metaphor for self-discovery and empowerment. The narrative invites readers to reflect on their own sources of solace and ways to break free from their confines, offering a universal message of hope and resilience.
Manmohan, who is actually fleeing potential imprisonment by the King of Nepal, initially agrees to the marriage without having met Meena. His friends' descriptions of Meena’s beauty, likening her to the actress Meena Kumari, spur him to sneak a glimpse of her at school, though their plan fails. On the day of their marriage, Meena's life changes dramatically, and she is overcome with sorrow.
After the marriage, Meena moves to Sabaila to live with Manmohan’s family, which includes his elder brother Ashok, his widowed mother Sawari Devi, his sister Binita, his brother’s wife Kumud, and Ashok and Kumud's twins. Meena tries to adapt to her new life but deeply misses her mother and home in Darbhanga. Manmohan frequently travels to Kathmandu in search of a better job, always promising Meena that he will bring her there once he is settled, but these promises remain unfulfilled for over three years.
During this time, Meena suffers from her mother-in-law’s harsh treatment, leading to her frustration. Eventually, she finds solace in her sister-in-law Kumud, and their bond helps her cope with her circumstances. However, her life takes a darker turn when Manmohan finally brings her to Kathmandu, and their relationship deteriorates due to his abuse and the destruction of her dreams.
Attraction to Climbing Trees
Meena’s fascination with climbing trees serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the novel.
Sense of Freedom
Her attraction to trees symbolizes her yearning for freedom in a restrictive society. Climbing trees allows her to temporarily escape the expectations and obligations imposed upon her.
Childhood Connection
The narrative hints at Meena’s childhood experiences, suggesting her love for trees stems from a simpler, more innocent time in her life. This connection evokes a longing for a period when she felt true to herself and unburdened by societal pressures.
Symbol of Rebellion
Climbing trees is a subtle act of defiance for Meena. It represents her resistance to being confined to a traditional role and serves as a silent protest against her constrained environment.
Finding Peace
Climbing trees becomes a sanctuary for Meena, where she finds solace and tranquility.
Emotional Release
The physical exertion of climbing allows Meena to release her pent-up emotions, offering a cathartic escape from her daily struggles.
Connection with Nature
Among the branches, Meena finds a profound connection with nature, which provides her with a sense of belonging and peace that she cannot find in her human relationships. Nature accepts her without judgment, contrasting sharply with the critical eyes of society.
Meditative Experience
Climbing becomes a form of meditation for Meena, requiring her to focus and be present in the moment, quieting her worries and anxieties. This meditative state brings her clarity and inner peace.
Empowerment
Each climb strengthens Meena’s sense of self and empowerment. The trees become a place where she can assert her identity and agency, reclaiming parts of herself that were suppressed. This empowerment is not only physical but also emotional and psychological, giving her the courage to be true to herself.
Conclusion
Smriti Ravindra’s portrayal of Meena in "The Woman Who Climbed the Trees" is a delicate exploration of a woman's quest for freedom and peace in the face of societal constraints. Meena's attraction to climbing trees and the peace she finds there is a powerful metaphor for self-discovery and empowerment. The narrative invites readers to reflect on their own sources of solace and ways to break free from their confines, offering a universal message of hope and resilience.
June 21, 2023
This brilliant debut novel stayed with me for months because of its emotional power and impressive storytelling craft. Set in northern India and Nepal, it explores the lives of women within a deeply patriarchal society with great subtlety and empathy. It explores what happens to women's mental well-being in such a society and the ways in which they might try to express themselves sexually and otherwise in the few unsupervised spaces left to them. She draws rich portraits of several women, above all Meena, who gets married at the age of 14 and moves across the border from India to her husband's home, in Nepal. But she also draws a complex portrait of her husband, Manmohan, who as a minority in Nepal, has his own demons.
Read
September 1, 2025I wanted to LOVE this book. I wasn't able to finish it though. I am not sure if it was just because I have just finished another book without a clear main character and plot, or if this one was a bit more disjointed, but whatever it was, I was never able to fully engage with the book. When I was finally feeling connected to a character, the POV changed. Each character is deep and complex, and I enjoyed the perspectives of a culture different from my own. I simply haven't been able to fully engage with each character or storyline, as each seemed to come to an abrupt cut-off. All is well, but it is time for me to move on, so I will continue to read at all, as opposed to postponing it for a more convenient moment.
April 14, 2023
This was a great read, a heartbreakingly beautiful story weaving myth, personal history and politics. It's about a Nepalese-Indian family trying to negotiate identity, when it seems they can never fully belong to either place. It's also the bitter and magical story of the women in this family, struggling in a society that doesn't allow them individuality or agency. Although it depicts cruelty, sexual violence and harm to children, it is not explicit. It's well-crafted, compelling and thought provoking. More than anything, it's amazing to think this is a debut novel.
March 27, 2024
3.5 Powerful themes and emotional at times, however it almost became a DNF for me. I had to will myself to get back in and finish it up. Something with the shifting of the character stories between Meena and Preeti. Not sure.
Really seem to be hitting a string of 3⭐️’s lately after starting the year with a bunch of 4 and 5’s. We’ll see where the rest of the year takes us!
Really seem to be hitting a string of 3⭐️’s lately after starting the year with a bunch of 4 and 5’s. We’ll see where the rest of the year takes us!
August 23, 2023
It's my favorite English novel by a Nepali author.
August 15, 2023
As Meena crosses the border between India and Nepal to start her life as a married woman we travel with her, in her future and in her past to witness the many boundaries she crossed, built, sat on, demolished or tried to break.
I was impressed with manner in which the author has lovingly braided the history, culture and emotions of Nepal and it's people in Meena's story. It made me want to reach to a dear one and discuss, share and ponder over ones relationship with people and land; and the influence of our past, our thoughts, our dreams, our philosophies and those of others, that shape it. I would suggest not to be discouraged by the length of the story, for it all comes together in the end. Few chapters, and sometime even a sentence feel like books in themselves. Read it as you would drink your favorite beverage- inhale, sip and enjoy the flavors before dipping in it once more.
I was impressed with manner in which the author has lovingly braided the history, culture and emotions of Nepal and it's people in Meena's story. It made me want to reach to a dear one and discuss, share and ponder over ones relationship with people and land; and the influence of our past, our thoughts, our dreams, our philosophies and those of others, that shape it. I would suggest not to be discouraged by the length of the story, for it all comes together in the end. Few chapters, and sometime even a sentence feel like books in themselves. Read it as you would drink your favorite beverage- inhale, sip and enjoy the flavors before dipping in it once more.
July 21, 2023
"The Women Who Climbed the Tree" narrates the journey of Meena, a resilient and determined woman who faces numerous hardships after her marriage to Manmohan. Through Meena's struggles, the author portrays the strength and fortitude required to overcome societal challenges and personal adversities.
As Meena's daughter faces similar challenges, it becomes evident that certain societal norms and traditions persist through time, impacting the lives of women in the family. This theme of continuity and the cyclical nature of life lends a sense of universality to the story, making it relatable to readers across cultures and backgrounds.
The inclusion of supernatural elements such as kichkandi, chudail, and ghosts adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. These elements not only enrich the story's cultural setting but also infuse a sense of mystery and suspense.
The author's writing style is commendable, as she expertly crafts the characters and their emotions, allowing readers to empathize with their joys and sorrows. Meena's unflinching determination and her daughter's resilience evoke a strong emotional response, leaving a lasting impression on readers' hearts.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" sheds light on the challenges faced by women in traditional societies and the strength required to confront them. This emotionally charged and thought-provoking tale will undoubtedly resonate with readers who appreciate stories of empowerment, cultural exploration, and the enduring spirit of women.
As Meena's daughter faces similar challenges, it becomes evident that certain societal norms and traditions persist through time, impacting the lives of women in the family. This theme of continuity and the cyclical nature of life lends a sense of universality to the story, making it relatable to readers across cultures and backgrounds.
The inclusion of supernatural elements such as kichkandi, chudail, and ghosts adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. These elements not only enrich the story's cultural setting but also infuse a sense of mystery and suspense.
The author's writing style is commendable, as she expertly crafts the characters and their emotions, allowing readers to empathize with their joys and sorrows. Meena's unflinching determination and her daughter's resilience evoke a strong emotional response, leaving a lasting impression on readers' hearts.
Overall, "The Women Who Climbed the Tree" sheds light on the challenges faced by women in traditional societies and the strength required to confront them. This emotionally charged and thought-provoking tale will undoubtedly resonate with readers who appreciate stories of empowerment, cultural exploration, and the enduring spirit of women.
July 25, 2023
The story of Meena, a strong and resolute lady who encounters many challenges following her marriage to Manmohan, is told in "The Women Who Climbed the Tree." The author illustrates the courage and strength needed to overcome both societal obstacles and personal hardships via Meena's difficulties.
It becomes clear that some societal conventions and customs persist through time and have an impact on the lives of women in the family as Meena's daughter encounters similar difficulties. The story has a sense of universality due to the idea of continuity and the cyclical aspect of life, making it approachable to readers from all origins and cultures.
The addition of paranormal components like kichkandi, chudail, and ghosts gives the story an exciting new dimension. These components not only enhance the cultural context of the story but give a sense of mystery to the readers.
The Language of the Book Is Lucid. The Wrting Style of the Book Is Fast - Paced. The Cover and The Title of the Book Are an Absolutely Appropriate.
The Story is Fictional in Nature Yet the Writing Style of the Story Is So Impressive That a Reader Would Feel That Events Are Happening in Real in Front of Him/her.
It becomes clear that some societal conventions and customs persist through time and have an impact on the lives of women in the family as Meena's daughter encounters similar difficulties. The story has a sense of universality due to the idea of continuity and the cyclical aspect of life, making it approachable to readers from all origins and cultures.
The addition of paranormal components like kichkandi, chudail, and ghosts gives the story an exciting new dimension. These components not only enhance the cultural context of the story but give a sense of mystery to the readers.
The Language of the Book Is Lucid. The Wrting Style of the Book Is Fast - Paced. The Cover and The Title of the Book Are an Absolutely Appropriate.
The Story is Fictional in Nature Yet the Writing Style of the Story Is So Impressive That a Reader Would Feel That Events Are Happening in Real in Front of Him/her.
July 21, 2023
“A prize,” said Kaveri. “Twenty- one years old and clean- shaven— not a mustache under his nose. A proper Romeo, I am telling you. Pukka Majnu.”
Meena, a 14 year old young girl, was married off to Manmohan, 21, and sent to Nepal, a faraway land. Since he was a college goer, he spent a lot of time outside of his house, which left Meena dealing with her mother-in-law's tantrums. What about Meena's future now? How will the little one be able to deal with it?
I was very fascinated by the book cover, that it instantly sought my attention, though we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Secondly, I love reading books with varied cultures so that it teaches us the ability to get to know more about the world. Apart from that, the author has made it very realistic when she spoke about the "typical mother-in-law taunts," a newly wed girl who went to an unknown land and being clueless, the behavior of newlywed, a friend that the new daughter-in-law makes in her husband's house, etc. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the number of pages, but as and when I was reading, I got to know that I was flipping the pages so soon because the writing is so flawless and simple. The way Smriti has crafted her words about relationships, cultures, traditions, etc. is definitely worth the reading experience. The book is good even for beginners, and to fiction fans, it's a treat.
Meena, a 14 year old young girl, was married off to Manmohan, 21, and sent to Nepal, a faraway land. Since he was a college goer, he spent a lot of time outside of his house, which left Meena dealing with her mother-in-law's tantrums. What about Meena's future now? How will the little one be able to deal with it?
I was very fascinated by the book cover, that it instantly sought my attention, though we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Secondly, I love reading books with varied cultures so that it teaches us the ability to get to know more about the world. Apart from that, the author has made it very realistic when she spoke about the "typical mother-in-law taunts," a newly wed girl who went to an unknown land and being clueless, the behavior of newlywed, a friend that the new daughter-in-law makes in her husband's house, etc. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the number of pages, but as and when I was reading, I got to know that I was flipping the pages so soon because the writing is so flawless and simple. The way Smriti has crafted her words about relationships, cultures, traditions, etc. is definitely worth the reading experience. The book is good even for beginners, and to fiction fans, it's a treat.
January 1, 2024
Love may be all that matters in this life, but Love is (often) a cheap illusion. It can make us mad. Hearing-voices-in-my-head mad.
It’s misleading and blinding, it creates its own “reality” and it manipulates us. Seemingly, life is a gut-wrenching loop of keeping this madness of love at bay. Because we know we cannot/must not stop loving. This novel alerts you against the perils of falling in love with Men… There is no way out of that muck. Men exist to un-make Women.
(Men and Women implying archetypes.)
Smriti Ravindra’s unbelievable debut novel won my heart over and over again, and made me madder than I have always been. I LOVE this gorgeous book so much.
You cannot stop reading it. This is the story of Meena from Darbhanga, who is married to a Nepali boy at the age of 14, and is uprooted from her life as a girl to perform the role of a woman in a distant, alien, hostile land. This is the story of Women. There’s just no way of saying it than this: Stop everything and read this book right away.
If you have a healthy family (I don’t believe that ever), good for you. But most families render their women mad. Spiteful husbands, ungrateful in-laws, controlling brothers, insufferable children. A woman is required to live at least 10 different roles, except her own self. Ravindra’s story is about how women love women and (try to) love the women in their men, but both possibilities are hopeless. Women cannot love women in this world, Men continue to be Men.
TWWCT is a masterclass in storytelling. It takes multiple strands of folktales and myths, voices and characters, and braids them into an absolutely devastating story of loss and despair. It makes you feel heavy and unsettled—my favourite kind of books. I also loved how every literary detour—native legends and myths—within the narrative comes together in this glorious pastiche of a story, to impress the central themes recurrently. Of course Women (and men who are Women) are rendered mad in this world.
Love is a fickle, unreliable narrator. Men are worse, this book suggests. So again, of course I loved it.
What a fkn brilliant book. Read it!!!
It’s misleading and blinding, it creates its own “reality” and it manipulates us. Seemingly, life is a gut-wrenching loop of keeping this madness of love at bay. Because we know we cannot/must not stop loving. This novel alerts you against the perils of falling in love with Men… There is no way out of that muck. Men exist to un-make Women.
(Men and Women implying archetypes.)
Smriti Ravindra’s unbelievable debut novel won my heart over and over again, and made me madder than I have always been. I LOVE this gorgeous book so much.
You cannot stop reading it. This is the story of Meena from Darbhanga, who is married to a Nepali boy at the age of 14, and is uprooted from her life as a girl to perform the role of a woman in a distant, alien, hostile land. This is the story of Women. There’s just no way of saying it than this: Stop everything and read this book right away.
If you have a healthy family (I don’t believe that ever), good for you. But most families render their women mad. Spiteful husbands, ungrateful in-laws, controlling brothers, insufferable children. A woman is required to live at least 10 different roles, except her own self. Ravindra’s story is about how women love women and (try to) love the women in their men, but both possibilities are hopeless. Women cannot love women in this world, Men continue to be Men.
TWWCT is a masterclass in storytelling. It takes multiple strands of folktales and myths, voices and characters, and braids them into an absolutely devastating story of loss and despair. It makes you feel heavy and unsettled—my favourite kind of books. I also loved how every literary detour—native legends and myths—within the narrative comes together in this glorious pastiche of a story, to impress the central themes recurrently. Of course Women (and men who are Women) are rendered mad in this world.
Love is a fickle, unreliable narrator. Men are worse, this book suggests. So again, of course I loved it.
What a fkn brilliant book. Read it!!!
July 12, 2023
"The Woman Who Climbed Trees" explores in its somewhat jarring yet gentle tone the intricacies of a society and its undeniable impact on families- especially women. Through the example of the Chaudharis the book provides an insight into the geopolitical, sociocultural and historical situation of Nepal in the 1980s. The author aptly conveys the psychological stress and alienation that women unsurprisingly faced at the time. Mythological stories, anectdotes and facts have been carefully crafted and wittly scattered throughout the book to provide a holistic and familial picture. This description filled book is sure to satisfy one's imagination with vivid visual imagery and instill an unending curiousity that creates a sense of anticipation towards the unfurling of the plot. Emotion-heavy, action packed and culturally enriched, this book is a must read!
June 7, 2023
4.5 stars. it was simply brilliantly written, however it was a bit confusing. i would have loved to hear more about meena's daughter's life, but it was so heartwarming to read a book about South Asian women by a south asian woman. especially something that is not a cute fluffy romance or coming of age story. this story is PAINFUL, and for me, it was this sense that this was my grandmothers went through. being married off at a young age and being forced to take care of children when you are a child yourself is a trauma my grandmothers endured. i loved the mother daughter relationships portrayed here, and this novel was such a woman novel. i love love love woman novels. i also learned things about nepal that i had never known, despite it bordering india. i loved the new things i learned while also feeling at home with the familiarity of other details. the stories that intersect throughout are LOVELY. they add a layer to the story and reached out to my inner child, who loved hearing stories about the gods and folk tales from my mother. i recommend reading this, even if you might not love it. i genuinely love this author's portrayal of south asian women.
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June 12, 2023Women often spend their entire lives steeped in madness, or on the fringes of it-- shuttling between sanity and oblivion. There is of course, the mundane that tries to boast of taking care of women and their lives. But women always break barriers to climb above it and drift into a world of their own making. That's the world this book will take you to.
The writing is beautiful with well-crafted sentences and the stories are lyrical, hinging on love and longing and loss.
If you are planning to read just one book this year, I recommend this be your reading.
The writing is beautiful with well-crafted sentences and the stories are lyrical, hinging on love and longing and loss.
If you are planning to read just one book this year, I recommend this be your reading.
June 8, 2023
This book started out strong … I absolutely loved the fables based on Nepalí-Indian culture… thought provoking insights on women’s place in South Indian society. However, it really never went anywhere exciting and the characters ended up fairly flat and lifeless.
April 21, 2023
This was really interesting, both for its stylistic choices and because I knew nothing about life in Nepal.
June 30, 2023
While at times the story felt a bit sporadic, I loved the folklore and imagination incorporated, and the pulsing feminine heart and soul at the center of it all.
October 1, 2023
It’s been a while since I’d picked up a book, and it has stayed with me for days after I’d finished reading it. When I first started seeing reviews on Smriti Ravindra's The Woman Who Climbed Trees, I thought I should read it because it talks about the Nepali community. It was especially nostalgic for me because I’d written my dissertation, years back, focused on the representation of Gurkhas in Indian English fiction. I’d mostly chosen the topic because it was uncommon, which meant it had less chances of getting rejected. However, the final product didn’t turn out great because of a lack of adequate resources and references.
This book looked like it could have been a potential resource, but only until I read it! While it does throw light on the Madhesi experience—the racist and socio-political divide between the Pahadis and the flatlanders in Nepal—the core of the story is not really about that. The novel narrates a story of women for women. For reasons unknown, I can’t possibly discuss or share the flurry of emotions that this book evoked with a man.
As I navigated the changing dynamic between Kaveri and Meena, and later Meena and Preeti, I was constantly reminded of the complicated relationship I share with my mother. There’s resentment mingled with love, along with a sense of empathy because women, young or old, together or apart, ultimately struggle to live through a similar fate.
The women in Ravindra’s story seek unconventional ways to assert their voice and place in the world. Meena plunges into a wild phase of madness, while her mother openly rejoices at the powerlessness of her dying husband, and after his demise, indifferently defies his ghostly presence. There’s a tenderness in the way these women find comfort in and quench their desires through each other. Meena and Kumud carve their names into each other’s skin, which is inadvertently reenacted by Preeti and Sachi years later. Preeti waits for decades to open up about her molestation as a child to none but her distant cousin sister.
The best part about the writing is Ravindra’s honesty. I happened to have attended one of her talks, where the author shares how a lot of the anecdotes woven into the story were from her personal life. She blends folklore with magic realism to create a world that celebrates the ‘female existence’ and is devoid of the chains of patriarchy. Although the theme often feels heavy on the nerves, Ravindra softens the blow with her delicate prose, so much so that it tastes like poetry.
I don’t have a favourite excerpt, because there are too many. But if you ask me to close my eyes and imagine a scene, I’d think of Sachi’s farewell wish for Preeti.
"I don't want the future to separate us... I don't want anything to be the end of us. In all my futures I will keep a room ready for you. I'll have fresh sheets on the bed, slippers on the mat, toothbrushes and shampoo and soap in the bath. There will be nightsuits and everything else in the closet. You will come to me every time. You will never have to pack. I know you don't like going places because you don't like packing. I never want you to not like coming to me."
Female friendships and love for the win!
This book looked like it could have been a potential resource, but only until I read it! While it does throw light on the Madhesi experience—the racist and socio-political divide between the Pahadis and the flatlanders in Nepal—the core of the story is not really about that. The novel narrates a story of women for women. For reasons unknown, I can’t possibly discuss or share the flurry of emotions that this book evoked with a man.
As I navigated the changing dynamic between Kaveri and Meena, and later Meena and Preeti, I was constantly reminded of the complicated relationship I share with my mother. There’s resentment mingled with love, along with a sense of empathy because women, young or old, together or apart, ultimately struggle to live through a similar fate.
The women in Ravindra’s story seek unconventional ways to assert their voice and place in the world. Meena plunges into a wild phase of madness, while her mother openly rejoices at the powerlessness of her dying husband, and after his demise, indifferently defies his ghostly presence. There’s a tenderness in the way these women find comfort in and quench their desires through each other. Meena and Kumud carve their names into each other’s skin, which is inadvertently reenacted by Preeti and Sachi years later. Preeti waits for decades to open up about her molestation as a child to none but her distant cousin sister.
The best part about the writing is Ravindra’s honesty. I happened to have attended one of her talks, where the author shares how a lot of the anecdotes woven into the story were from her personal life. She blends folklore with magic realism to create a world that celebrates the ‘female existence’ and is devoid of the chains of patriarchy. Although the theme often feels heavy on the nerves, Ravindra softens the blow with her delicate prose, so much so that it tastes like poetry.
I don’t have a favourite excerpt, because there are too many. But if you ask me to close my eyes and imagine a scene, I’d think of Sachi’s farewell wish for Preeti.
"I don't want the future to separate us... I don't want anything to be the end of us. In all my futures I will keep a room ready for you. I'll have fresh sheets on the bed, slippers on the mat, toothbrushes and shampoo and soap in the bath. There will be nightsuits and everything else in the closet. You will come to me every time. You will never have to pack. I know you don't like going places because you don't like packing. I never want you to not like coming to me."
Female friendships and love for the win!
July 4, 2023
I have been dabbling in poetry since I was in high school. I wrote a poem and dedicated it to a dear friend when I was 16. I know my work was raw, untamed, and innocent. That’s how a debut feels to me.
There is something about reading a work that's a debut. It is raw and intimate, and it’s like you know the author a little as you turn the last page. The writing was lyrical.
Meena is a 14-year-old girl who is about to marry, leave her home in India, and find a new home in Nepal. Soon after her marriage, her husband leaves her at his family home in Sabila, and he leaves for Kathmandu to become an officer after he graduates. The story narrates how Meena tries to fit in and unexpectedly bonds with her sister-in-law.
I like the author’s choice of words as she weaves feelings into emotions. The grief part is exceptionally written, and I can only presume that such writing comes from experience.
This book was not what I expected. I expected folklore after reading the blurb. The prologue kept me intrigued, and I was flipping pages before anything else. Somewhere, the story took a different turn from what I expected, and I was still hooked to read it.
The woman who climbed trees is a story I’d picture my grandmother narrating. In a few instances, I felt I was reading a work by Ruskin Bond. His mountains and his people, and now that I’m familiar with @smriti_ravindra writing, suddenly I know it is her, creating an intricate thought of Meena, Adi, and Preeti. The reality of women before the internet in Asian countries such as India, Nepal, and Bangladesh is beautifully pictured in the readers mind.
The book explores the themes of marriage, sexuality, freedom, and grief.
All said, it is important to keep in mind that the book is lengthy, and the story sometimes mixes or overlaps and takes a minute or two to follow. I wouldn’t recommend the book for readers under 16, as it contains profanity.
A remarkable and fabulous debut! I would definitely read more of her future works.
Thank you @harpercollinsin for the review copy.
There is something about reading a work that's a debut. It is raw and intimate, and it’s like you know the author a little as you turn the last page. The writing was lyrical.
Meena is a 14-year-old girl who is about to marry, leave her home in India, and find a new home in Nepal. Soon after her marriage, her husband leaves her at his family home in Sabila, and he leaves for Kathmandu to become an officer after he graduates. The story narrates how Meena tries to fit in and unexpectedly bonds with her sister-in-law.
I like the author’s choice of words as she weaves feelings into emotions. The grief part is exceptionally written, and I can only presume that such writing comes from experience.
This book was not what I expected. I expected folklore after reading the blurb. The prologue kept me intrigued, and I was flipping pages before anything else. Somewhere, the story took a different turn from what I expected, and I was still hooked to read it.
The woman who climbed trees is a story I’d picture my grandmother narrating. In a few instances, I felt I was reading a work by Ruskin Bond. His mountains and his people, and now that I’m familiar with @smriti_ravindra writing, suddenly I know it is her, creating an intricate thought of Meena, Adi, and Preeti. The reality of women before the internet in Asian countries such as India, Nepal, and Bangladesh is beautifully pictured in the readers mind.
The book explores the themes of marriage, sexuality, freedom, and grief.
All said, it is important to keep in mind that the book is lengthy, and the story sometimes mixes or overlaps and takes a minute or two to follow. I wouldn’t recommend the book for readers under 16, as it contains profanity.
A remarkable and fabulous debut! I would definitely read more of her future works.
Thank you @harpercollinsin for the review copy.
October 3, 2023
There is something about women who do not fit into the dominant normative narrative of being subdued in the power hierarchy spearheaded by men. There is something about women who have their own identity or are in the process of forming one.
They are called not just 'too' smart, or 'too' aggressive, or 'too' manly. More often than not, they're labelled as 'mad'. Any act of subversion is implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, linked with madness, as if subversion by women in itself requires that tinge of 'hysteria', the 'inability' to control oneself. As if trying to establish yourself as an individual when you're born as a woman is in itself a lack of your understanding of your duties and your incapacity to act on them, live by them.
Every vent to your feelings is an expression of the rage you contain within, hence the madness you're being gripped by. Every act of resistance is your lack of control on your thoughts and actions which need to be measured every single moment against the rules laid down in stone. But what they forget is that stones too erode in time. May be, not in a day, or a year, but they do. And we've got time.
Smriti Ravindra in 'The Woman Who Climbed Trees' explores the stories such women carry within. It is, in book form, a space where women can congregate, away from the male gaze and reinvent their selves on their own terms.
When a girl weds into another family, she is expected to uproot her entire existence in favour of re-rooting herself in a foreign space as if having no individuality of her own is the absolute marker of her pliable femininity.
But is that what femininity is? Is it simply to be seen as the negation of masculinity? Is it forever remaining so tight-lipped about your own desires and needs and wants that ultimately being voiceless seems as your natural state of being? Ravindra raises these questions.
She explores the intimate spaces between women, queers femininity and transcends the boundaries of reality. All in all, reading this book was a beautiful experience for me.
They are called not just 'too' smart, or 'too' aggressive, or 'too' manly. More often than not, they're labelled as 'mad'. Any act of subversion is implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, linked with madness, as if subversion by women in itself requires that tinge of 'hysteria', the 'inability' to control oneself. As if trying to establish yourself as an individual when you're born as a woman is in itself a lack of your understanding of your duties and your incapacity to act on them, live by them.
Every vent to your feelings is an expression of the rage you contain within, hence the madness you're being gripped by. Every act of resistance is your lack of control on your thoughts and actions which need to be measured every single moment against the rules laid down in stone. But what they forget is that stones too erode in time. May be, not in a day, or a year, but they do. And we've got time.
Smriti Ravindra in 'The Woman Who Climbed Trees' explores the stories such women carry within. It is, in book form, a space where women can congregate, away from the male gaze and reinvent their selves on their own terms.
When a girl weds into another family, she is expected to uproot her entire existence in favour of re-rooting herself in a foreign space as if having no individuality of her own is the absolute marker of her pliable femininity.
But is that what femininity is? Is it simply to be seen as the negation of masculinity? Is it forever remaining so tight-lipped about your own desires and needs and wants that ultimately being voiceless seems as your natural state of being? Ravindra raises these questions.
She explores the intimate spaces between women, queers femininity and transcends the boundaries of reality. All in all, reading this book was a beautiful experience for me.
July 17, 2025
This novel is not for the faint-hearted. It peels away the glossy veneer of marital bliss often romanticized in South Asian societies, revealing a hauntingly raw and unfiltered reality that many women—especially in Nepal and India—are forced to endure. With stunning honesty and emotional depth, the author gives voice to a generation of women buried beneath rituals, expectations, and cultural conformity.
At its core, this book is a striking portrayal of how deeply entrenched patriarchy and tradition can quietly erode a woman’s spirit. The protagonist is not just one woman, but a reflection of thousands—who marry into customs, not companionship; into silence, not understanding. Through her eyes, readers witness how the daily grind of ritual and roleplay chips away at identity, agency, and joy.
What is most compelling—and heartbreaking—is how the story navigates the psychological escape many women construct to survive this slow suffocation. The inner world becomes a sanctuary, a dreamy fantasy filled with what could have been: love, laughter, freedom. But these mental illusions are not salvation—they are sedatives. As the fantasy grows richer, reality slips further away, until the inevitable collapse between imagined happiness and lived oppression leads to a complete breakdown of the self.
The author doesn’t offer clean answers. Instead, they offer truth—and with it, a chilling reminder that the moment many women finally awaken to their reality, it is already too late. The damage is deep. The insanity, a scream in a society that only listens to silence.
Layered within this intimate narrative is a broader commentary on Nepal’s historical evolution and its complex, often strained, yet inseparable relationship with India. The story touches upon cultural identity, political influence, and shared struggles, mirroring the protagonist’s own fractured self between duty and desire.
This book is a rare feat—emotionally devastating, politically charged, and deeply empathetic. It doesn’t just tell a story. It exposes a truth that is still largely unspoken.
At its core, this book is a striking portrayal of how deeply entrenched patriarchy and tradition can quietly erode a woman’s spirit. The protagonist is not just one woman, but a reflection of thousands—who marry into customs, not companionship; into silence, not understanding. Through her eyes, readers witness how the daily grind of ritual and roleplay chips away at identity, agency, and joy.
What is most compelling—and heartbreaking—is how the story navigates the psychological escape many women construct to survive this slow suffocation. The inner world becomes a sanctuary, a dreamy fantasy filled with what could have been: love, laughter, freedom. But these mental illusions are not salvation—they are sedatives. As the fantasy grows richer, reality slips further away, until the inevitable collapse between imagined happiness and lived oppression leads to a complete breakdown of the self.
The author doesn’t offer clean answers. Instead, they offer truth—and with it, a chilling reminder that the moment many women finally awaken to their reality, it is already too late. The damage is deep. The insanity, a scream in a society that only listens to silence.
Layered within this intimate narrative is a broader commentary on Nepal’s historical evolution and its complex, often strained, yet inseparable relationship with India. The story touches upon cultural identity, political influence, and shared struggles, mirroring the protagonist’s own fractured self between duty and desire.
This book is a rare feat—emotionally devastating, politically charged, and deeply empathetic. It doesn’t just tell a story. It exposes a truth that is still largely unspoken.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews