Book Review- The Curious Secrets of Yesterday by Namrata Patel

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The Curious Secrets of Yesterday by Namrata Patel turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to get pulled into the story so quickly, but Tulsi Gupta’s journey kept me engaged from the very beginning.

Tulsi is restless, reluctant, and quietly searching for a life that feels truly her own. She works with her mother, Devi, and grandmother, Aruna, in their family spice store Rasa, where she is being trained to take over the business of healers someday. But beneath that expectation, she is still trying to understand who she really is and what she feels called to do.

As the story unfolds, Tulsi begins to question the beliefs she grew up with and the future everyone seems to have imagined for her. That inner conflict makes her story feel honest, relatable, and deeply human.

While the main thread of the story is about self-discovery, the book has so many smaller layers that are just as interesting. There is a sweet romance, a mystery around Tulsi’s father, a social media account for the family business that seems to appear out of nowhere, and plenty more to keep the story moving.

At first glance, the journey of these three generations of Ayurvedic spice healers may seem lighthearted, but it is not really simple. The book gently touches on abandonment issues, societal stigma, cultural appropriation, the demanding world of social media, and more, all with a surprising amount of grace.

For me, the best part of the book is Tulsi’s relationship with her mother and grandmother. It beautifully reflects the kind of complicated bonds many of us share with the people we love: relationships that can be contradictory, messy, emotional, and yet still rooted in deep love.

This is a good pick for anyone looking for a quick, easy, and engaging read with a strong Indian connection.

Quotes from the book-

"The past is fixed. There’s no point in wondering. We live in the present with an eye toward the future."

"I was taught that cursing showed a lack of respect for whoever you were talking to and yourself. Words mean things."

"We see what we want to.."

"Don’t sell yourself short.."

"Guess we never outgrow wanting to hear someone you care about acknowledge your efforts."

"Do things that mark you."

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