Arab Persian and South Asian Women Writing on Food
Explore a curated list of Arab, Persian, and South Asian women writers exploring food, identity, and memory—featuring fiction by Kamila Shamsie and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
Book
The Mistress of Spices
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
A classic work of magical realism, this bestselling novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni tells the story of Tilo, a young woman from another time who has a gift for the mystical art of spices. Now immortal, and living in the gnarled and arthritic body of an old woman, Tilo has set up shop in Oakland, California, where she administers curatives to her customers. But when she's surprised by an unexpected romance with a handsome stranger, she must choose between everlasting life and the vicissitudes of modern society. Spellbinding and hypnotizing, The Mistress of Spices is a tale of joy, sorrow, and one special woman's magical powers.
Book
Salt and Saffron
by Kamila Shamsie
Through this beautiful novel detailing the life and loves of a Pakistani girl returning home after living in the U.S., the larger tale of a divided nation unfolds.