After her first child, a daughter, is snatched from her arms
and done away with just seconds after birth, Kavita takes
matters into her own hands upon the birth of her second
daughter, delivering her child into the care of an
orphanage. For Kavita, any life is better than none.
Unbeknownst to Kavita, her firstborn, Usha, her name changed
to Asha (hope), is adopted by an Indian doctor living in
America and his American-born wife. As she grows, Asha's
lack of knowledge as to where she comes from and thus, where
she belongs, drives a fissure between Asha and her adoptive
mother, Somer.
Gowda's debut novel, SECRET DAUGHTER, is a tale of many
secrets: secrets between Kavita and her husband, Jasu,
between Somer and her Indian-born husband, Krishnan, between
Asha and both of her mothers. This story touches on gender
value, population control, abortion, adoption, among other
hot-button topics, but most of all, it tells a poignant,
universal tale of the depth and breadth of a mother's love
for her child, whether that child is born of her body or
gifted to her after birth.
The story seamlessly moves between India and America,
between Asha's birth parents and her adoptive parents, as
Asha is born, grows up and reaches maturity. The contrast
between Asha and her brother, Vijay, and their chosen paths
in life is not understated. One child seemingly is given
nothing; the other, every sacrifice and advantage. The
results are not what readers might expect, and thus a second
universal truth is introduced, that there are consequences
for choices made.
The multiple points of view combined with the use of present
tense might be unsettling for some, but reading SECRET
DAUGHTER was a fast-moving, satisfying experience. Gowda
paints a vivid, multi-faceted portrait of life in India
while also nailing the details of life in America. Her
characters are palpably portrayed, and the desire to know
how things will ultimately turn out for Asha on both
continents will keep the pages turning.
A stunning debut novel that explores the emotional
terrain of motherhood, loss, identity and culture, witnessed
through the lives of two families, one Indian, one American,
and the daughter who indelibly binds them.
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 convinced that the love
they already feel will overcome all obstacles.
Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child
that binds their destinies, Secret Daughter poignantly
explores issues of culture and belonging. Moving between two
worlds and two families, one struggling to survive the fetid
slums of Mumbai, the other grappling to forge a cohesive
family despite diverging cultural identities, this powerful
debut novel marks the arrival of a fresh talent poised for
great success.
I got to read a very good review on the novel secret daughter and I found it to be a worth to read one. This includes all those elements of a perfect Indian family and all those major issues that are now in our country. outlookemailsetup.com (Casper Red 7:20am October 17, 2013)
I got to read a very good review on the novel secret daughter and I found it to be a worth to read one. This includes all those elements of a perfect Indian family and all those major issues that are now in our country. www.outlookemailsetup.com (Casper Red 7:21am October 17, 2013)
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