Under the Rambutan Trees: Stories of a Karo Family

For many years, Isabel carried the guilt of believing she had caused the death of her charismatic, loving grandfather. But was that really the truth? Under the Rambutan Trees is a semi-autobiographical collection of interconnected stories that revisit the author’s childhood in Medan, in a Karo family home presided over by a proud and complicated patriarch. Set against the backdrop of a sprawling rambutan orchard, these stories recall moments of sweetness and warmth-much like the fruit itself-interwoven with the complexities of family life. To reach the juicy flesh of the rambutan, one must climb tall trees, risk ant bites, and occasionally bite into something rotten. So too were Isabel’s memories: filled with joy-but when she dug deeper, she discovered that her grandfather had many sides she didn’t know-shocking, if not ugly. And in the midst of this patriarchal family, many of the women had hidden stories-powerful, if not fierce and heart-breaking. Told with irony, dark humour, and unique cultural nuances, Under the Rambutan Trees is a story of love, family, and a search for identity.