Review: Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published March 15th 2010 by William Morrow

more details...

primary language: English

Original title: Secret Daughter

Literary awards:  Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction, Debut Author (2010)

Adult fiction ...mor

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.
Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, Secret Daughter poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families-one Indian, one American-and the child that indelibly connects them.

Let me just start out by saying that I absolutely loved this book and it had me from the first page. The chapters are short and weave between the lives of Kavita, Somer and Asha. The story was so profound that I found myself not able to put it down, finishing it the same day that I started. I loved how it moved between each character and so flawlessly told the heartwrenching story of each woman. This is a book that I would highly recommend and encourage everyone to read.

Kristine's rating