Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda – 339 pages
Book Blurb:
On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter’s life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son. Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.
My Review: 4 stars
Secret Daughter was an enjoyable and quick read with many cultural comparisons at its heart. I liked this book for the realistic, honest and interesting plot line. Learning about the family who gave their daughter up for adoption, as well the family who adopted the young child, gave intimate perspectives from both sides.
This book definitely brought on the tears, for both happy and sad moments and I adored being swept into the Indian culture. Seriously consider traveling there every time I finish a book with India as the locale.
Themes of infertility, marriage, adoption, mixed race, honesty and loyalty run throughout the book. Will make a wonderful book club discussion book.
Quotes I liked:
At some point, the family you create is more important than the one you were born into.”
If the mother falls, the whole family falls.
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Loved this book. Again, I’m a self-confessed addict of Indian fiction and am particularly fascinated by the existential bond of belonging to two very different cultures at the same time. Kavita’s story and challenges are heartbreaking. She’s my heroine throughout and I learned so much about India in this book. Must read.