Tell it to the Trees

The Dharma family lives in a remote house in northern British Columbia, maintaining careful control over their isolated existence. When they take in a lodger named Anu Krishnan, she begins to observe the complex dynamics between domineering patriarch Vikram, his teenage daughter Varsha, his new wife Suman, and young Helen. The narrative moves between different time periods and perspectives, revealing the circumstances that brought each family member to the house and their roles in maintaining its rigid order. The harsh winter setting mirrors the cold atmosphere within the home, where secrets and unspoken rules govern daily life. The story examines the nature of power, control, and the ways families can both protect and damage their members. Through its exploration of domestic life in isolation, the novel raises questions about cultural identity, belonging, and the true meaning of home.

Readers found this domestic noir novel unsettling and dark, with compelling descriptions of isolation in a remote mountain setting. Reviews highlight Badami's skilled character development and atmospheric writing. Readers appreciated: - The complex family dynamics and power structures - The slow-building tension and dread - Multiple narrative perspectives that reveal different truths - Vivid depictions of Indian-Canadian cultural elements Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing too slow in the middle sections - Several readers wanted more resolution in the ending - A few felt the characters were difficult to empathize with Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (40+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted: "Like watching a train wreck in slow motion - you know something bad is coming but can't look away." Another wrote: "The claustrophobic atmosphere of both the house and the snowbound setting mirrors the psychological imprisonment of the characters."

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🌲 Author Anita Rau Badami drew inspiration from her own experience of living in the harsh winters of Calgary, Canada, to create the novel's atmospheric and isolating setting. ❄️ The book's title comes from an old Indian saying that suggests if you have a secret to tell, tell it to the trees because they can't repeat it to anyone. 🏠 The story's structure employs multiple narrators and time shifts, allowing readers to piece together the mystery of Anu's death like a complex puzzle. 🌏 Badami, born in India and now living in Canada, often explores themes of cultural displacement and identity in her works, including this novel which features an Indo-Canadian family. 📚 The book was shortlisted for the 2012 Ontario Library Association's Evergreen Award, which celebrates the best in Canadian fiction and non-fiction.