Bishabriksha (poison tree) is set in Bankim Chandra's own time. Nagendra gives refuge to a young widow Kundanandini in his own house, who is orphaned after the death of her father. He becomes attracted to the girl and is torn between his devoted wife Suryamukhi and the beautiful Kundanandini. There are other characters like Kamalamani, Nagendra's sister, Taracharan who is desirous of Kundanandini, etc... The work paints an adequate picture of the Bengal society, its norms, traditions, conventions etc. during a bygone period. Huge Havelis, palanquins, many many servants and separate quarters for all people...