The Spice Box Letters: A Novel

There are times when you come across stories that leave a lasting impact even after you have finished reading them. They leave a sense of attachment and make you contemplate. The Spice Box Letters is one such story. It alternates between early the 1900s and present-day, when Katerina inherits Mariam’s, her great grandmother’s, old spice box full of letters written in Armenian. She then sets out on a journey to Mariam’s birth country to discover her heritage and the answers to the letters.

This is a beautifully designed book with descriptive writing that instantly drags you into the story. Eve Makis has very expertly woven the stories from different times and places into a tale of loss and discovery. With this book, she also educates her readers about the circumstances of Armenian community during the First World War, which many of us know so very little about.

At first you might feel a little disconnected; however, the story binds you as it unravels and everything makes sense in the end. At times, you will also feel the author has gone a little overboard with the food and recipes.

Overall, one of the better books to read to broaden your horizons.