The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a debut novel by Smriti Ravindra. Published in May 2023, this book has quickly found its place in many readers’ hearts. It blends realism, folklore, and emotional depth in a quiet yet powerful way. It deserves a place in any Best Books Collection.
The story follows Meena, a 14-year-old girl from India. She is married off to Manmohan, a 21-year-old Nepali boy. Meena has never met him. Her marriage means leaving her home, her language, her world. She moves to a remote Nepali village. Her new life begins far from everything familiar.
Manmohan studies in Kathmandu. He visits rarely. Meena lives with her in-laws. Her mother-in-law is strict and distant. The only warmth comes from her sister-in-law. This bond becomes Meena’s emotional anchor. But even with this, her life feels quiet and confining.
This book is not about loud rebellion. It’s about subtle strength. It’s about survival in silence. And slowly, about reclaiming a voice.
What Makes This Book Stand Out
The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a quiet, emotional read that stays with you. Smriti Ravindra writes with elegance, blending reality and folklore with ease. Meena’s journey is slow but powerful—filled with silence, strength, and self-discovery. The writing is poetic, and the atmosphere is deeply immersive. This isn’t a fast-paced story, but it’s rich in feeling and meaning. For readers who enjoy thoughtful, layered narratives about womanhood and identity, this book is a gem. It’s a strong addition to any Best Books Collection and truly earns its place among Top Reads Bestsellers Books.
Blending Realism and Folklore
What makes this novel unique is its atmosphere. Ravindra mixes real life with stories and myths. Ghosts, dreams, and folktales shape Meena’s world. But they are not just background. They are part of how she sees, copes, and understands life.
The folklore is rooted in the land. The myths echo the emotions. They carry truths that reality cannot explain. Ravindra uses magical realism gently. It never feels forced or distracting. Instead, it adds depth and color to Meena’s inner world.
This makes the novel a standout among Top Reads Bestsellers Books. It’s not just a story—it’s a layered experience.
The Philosophy Within the Pages
The story raises quiet but deep questions.
What does it mean to belong?
How much of our identity is ours?
Can we change the roles others place on us?
Meena does not scream for freedom. But she begins to think. She begins to observe. She finds power in knowing herself. That is the core philosophy of this book—freedom through awareness.
Her daughter’s perspective later in the novel continues this idea. The generational shift shows what changes and what doesn’t. Their journeys reflect how personal freedom grows slowly but surely.
Why This Book Matters
The Woman Who Climbed Trees is not fast-paced. It’s not filled with plot twists. But it stays with you. It’s emotional, thoughtful, and beautifully written. Meena’s journey is quiet but bold. She shows how women can resist by simply continuing to exist, observe, and grow.
The writing style is lyrical but clear. The emotional depth is strong yet never overwhelming. Ravindra handles themes of gender, migration, silence, and strength with grace.
It’s a book that reflects real lives. Especially the lives of women, who are often not heard.
Final Thoughts – Add This to Your Reading List
If you’re looking for a book that feels real and poetic at the same time, pick this one up. You will enjoy stories where magic meets memory and culture meets conflict. If your Best Books Collection needs something fresh, heartfelt, and original, this book belongs there.
The Woman Who Climbed Trees is a slow, emotional climb—but one worth taking. It’s about becoming. It’s about daring to reach. And it’s about women who carry worlds inside them.
This novel also stands tall among the Top Reads Bestsellers Books for literary fiction lovers. It offers meaning, not just a plot. Emotion, not just events.
