The Mistress of Spices

In the opening chapter, the protagonist, Tilo, introduces herself as a Mistress of Spices. She elaborates on her deep affinity for spices, describing her intimate knowledge of their properties and magical powers.

The narrative then shifts to Tilo’s spice store in Oakland, California, a unique establishment that stocks every Indian spice imaginable, even the rarest ones. The store, nestled between a hotel and a repair shop, presents a rich tapestry of Indian culture, complete with sweets, fabrics, and videos. Tilo, appearing as an elderly woman, serves her customers, intuitively understanding their hidden desires and pains.

Tilo’s interactions with her customers—most of whom are immigrants from India—reveal her empathetic nature and ability to perceive their deepest needs and fears, especially their nostalgic longing for home. She maintains strict discipline, adhering to the rules set by the First Mother on the island: never to use the spices for personal gain, never to leave the store, and never to touch another’s skin. Despite this, she finds herself profoundly affected by their stories and desires.

The chapter also delves into Tilo’s past, recounting her childhood in a village where she was known as Nayan Tara, a gifted child with the ability to see and understand things beyond the ordinary.