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Informative,
Interesting,
Insightful

5 reviews

Secret Daughter
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Published: 2010-03-15
Paperback : 352 pages
14 members reading this now
18 clubs reading this now
7 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 5 of 5 members
On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to Asha. But in a culture that favours 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 ...
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Introduction

On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to Asha. But in a culture that favours 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 baby Asha from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion for her. Somer knows life will change with the adoption, but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles. Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and Asha, "Secret Daughter" poignantly explores issues of culture and belonging. Moving between two worlds and two families, one struggling to survive in the fetid slums of Mumbai, the other grappling to forge a cohesive family despite their diverging cultural identities, this powerful debut novel marks the arrival of a fresh talent poised for great success.

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Book Club Recommendations

Use the issues as discussion topics
by hollidaypark (see profile) 02/08/13
There are five issues in this book: interracial marriage, motherhood, foreign adoption, the killing of baby daughters in India, the Indian caste system. These provided an excellent discussion for our group.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Wonderful story"by liz p. (see profile) 05/14/22

The story centers around two very different families., one a poor family in India, the other a well-to-do family in the United States, and the daughter that binds them together. Kavita gives... (read more)

 
  "Caught my attention"by Mandy A. (see profile) 05/11/13

Suspensful and insightful. Pretty good character development. I enjoyed reading it.

 
  "Secret Daughter"by Evelyn N. (see profile) 02/08/13

The story follows an Indian adopted child from the time of her birth in India to her adulthood in the United States where she was adopted. Interestingly, it follows the birth mother and her family since... (read more)

 
  "Blood isn't thicker than water"by Melissa H. (see profile) 11/19/12

Family is those whom you create relationships with, whether bound by blood or not. Insightful story about the culture of India, the struggles of adoption and the love of family.

 
  "The Secret Daughter"by Louise A. (see profile) 05/09/12

Highly recommended!

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