
I hadn’t heard of Secret Daughter when I saw it languishing on the library shelves but the gorgeous cover sort of drew me in like a magnet… I couldn’t resist. But wow, what a book! I’m so glad I picked it up so I can tell you all about it.
Secret Daughter begins by introducing us to Kavita, a young married Indian woman who is about to give birth to her second daughter. Her first daughter was taken away at birth by her husband, and although Kavita has no proof, she knows the newborn was killed. But with this daughter, she is determined to do better. So just hours after the birth, she takes her on a long and arduous journey to Mumbai, and drops her off at an orphanage there, knowing that even the worst possible scenario for the baby at the orphanage is better than whatever fate her husband has in store for the little girl. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Somer and her husband Krishnan have been trying to conceive for years with no success. So they travel to India, Krishnan’s home country and where all his family still resides, to adopt a baby girl named Asha. Kavita and her husband Jasu go on to have a baby boy a year later, and Asha grows up in America with her doctor parents, having everything she could ever want but still longing for more understanding of her Indian heritage.
Secret Daughter is an absolutely beautiful novel. I found myself captivated by these characters and drawn into their stories right from the start. I felt so involved in their lives, so close to them, which is a testament to Gowda’s fabulous writing. I felt transported, as if I was with these characters, living out all they were going through right along with them. The characters were so detailed and well-drawn, such honest portrayals of real people, that I couldn’t help feeling for them along the way. Even Somer, who I didn’t particularly like, I sympathized with because I found her so realistic and truthful.
One thing I absolutely loved about this novel was the parallel story lines. Gowda did such an exceptional job at weaving the lives of Kavita, Jasu, and their son with the lives of Somer, Krishnan, and Asha. Although the book isn’t too long, she managed to fit in twenty years of their lives and she did so flawlessly. The story would switch back and forth between the two story lines, and each time one ended and the other began I would be both frustrated and excited all at once. Frustrated because it would interrupt a story I was enjoying, and excited because it would bring me back to the other story, which I was also enjoying! I think what I’m trying to tell you is that I loved reading about all these characters, and I loved where Gowda took their stories, and I so highly enjoyed the experience of reading this novel.
I’m being completely honest when I say that I don’t have one negative thing to say about this book. Not only was it full of beautiful writing and chapters that just flew by, but the characters were wonderfully drawn and so real to me. I truly loved Secret Daughter and I highly recommend it.
I love that your review is so positive because this one is on my wish list and I am really looking forward to readi it.
Yay, I hope you like it!
Wow, this looks really good. Thanks for your honest review. It sounds like a book filled with emotional ups and downs and I HAVE to go check this out. Thanks so much for sharing!
Emotional ups and downs it definitely has. Enjoy it!
So glad to hear this. I have this book and I wasn’t sure if it was worth reading. After your review, I’m moving it up on my pile!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Julie!
That sounds marvelous – just the kind of book I can get lost in. I can’t wait to read this book now.
Definitely, Kathy – I think you will really like it.
Yay! I am so excited about this book – I just got notified that a copy will be sent to me from LTER. I am looking forward to reading it especially after your excellent review.
Oooh read it soon! And then tell me what you think. 🙂
I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I love when a random library find becomes such an enjoyable book!
I know – it was such a random pick and totally turned out great! I love that.
This sounds amazing. I sometimes have problems with parallel storylines, but this sounds very worth it.
The parallel storyline thing REALLY worked here, in my opinion. It definitely added to the story.
I’ve heard from someone else too that this was so good! I may have to pick it up!
I hope you do, Jenny. It is an awesome novel.
[…] Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda « Book Addiction […]
Your recommendation is always enough for me…now I’m off to my library to see if they have it!! Thanks for an awesome review!!
As always, Staci, you are too sweet. I do hope you read it soon, though, and tell me what you think!
[…] Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda « Book Addiction var addthis_language = 'en'; […]
[…] Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda « Book Addiction […]
Sounds really great,Thanks!
I have been hearing nothing but great things about this book. Time to pick it up since I’ve been thinking about it anyway. Great review!
Love the review, sounds like a book for me! I think I’ll wait for the paperback though 🙂
[…] Secret Daughter, by Shilpi Somaya-Gowda as featured on Swapna’s blog S. Krishna’s Books AND Heather’s blog Book Addiction. […]
I enjoyed this novel =) i have 2 questions though…How would you describe Somer and Kavita’s journey? and Do you think that the characters were looking for someone to whom they may entrust themselves?
Cool page. When will I get the additional info?
Joan Kuree
escorts warsaw
This book is really amazing….i could not put it down.
Bravo to Shilpi somaya gowda..Thank you!