What do readers think of Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda? Write your own review.

The loss of a child takes varied forms, but each is a cause of unspeakable grief and heartache. The Secret Daughter enlightens us about a place and a culture that might be unfamiliar to some readers, but the essence of the story is that loss, whether it comes as a result of miscarriage, sacrifice, or life decisions. But I was not left with a sense of hopelessness, rather just the opposite. The author handles all this with great skill and a style that kept me involved with the characters and their story to the very end. I encourage anyone who likes engaging fiction with a chance to learn something about India and its culture to read this one: it will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

Have you ever reached the middle of a book and vowed to reread it again? That happened to me when I read "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. From the small village in India to the California coast she has analyzed the various and wondrous aspects of the feelings we call love. The relationships between husband and wife, mother and daughter, and father and daughter are richly described. You feel the heat and color of India, the richness of California, but most important the pain and joy of family! Pure love at its best.

Secret Daughter is a tale of two worlds. It is filled with despair, yet ever hopeful. The author captures the complexities of blending two very different cultures, made more challenging with adoption. It is a story for and about women, and you quickly connect with the characters. Despite the misery and destitution the author shares with you, the story is uplifting and optimistic. The strength and common bond of motherhood and "family" is evident no matter what culture or setting. The women in this story are inspiring and resilient. I highly recommend this book.

I was unable to put this book down. It had everything........plot, interesting characters, location, and a rewarding ending. This is for anyone interested in learning about other cultures, and the emotional turmoil of motherhood.

"Secret Daughter" transported me to another world in the way of "Shanghai Girls", "Honolulu", "Cutting for Stone", "The Help", and "On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", but in addition this book engaged me on a deep emotional level. My only regret is that it could have been expanded by not skipping ahead in time so often. I wanted to know so much more about these families. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, gripping story, and especially to those who can relate to living in two cultures or to the complex issues of adoption. I know I would have loved this book anyway, even if I didn't have a three-year old granddaughter adopted from Kolkata.

Secret Daughter is a story of love, contrast of cultures and family conflict. The depth of understanding in the book is so touching. The unconditional love of a Mother for her child and what she will do for that chld is a focal point.

The contract of cultures in India is expressed vividly. There is so much in this book that would be wonderful for discussion with any book group. I will recommend it to mine. After I started the book I couldn't put it down. It is a winner!

This was an enjoyable book about love from many different family aspects. The characters were well developed and for the most part likable. The Indian culture was vividly described. It would make a good choice for a book club due to the relationship issues. I hope there are many more books by Shilpi Gowda to come!

I had a hard time getting interested in this book for the first 5 or so chapters. The characters were not "coming to life" for me. But as I read on I was anxious to see how Somer and Asha, her adopted daughter from India, learned from their mistakes and grew up together. I was disappointed that the author didn't do the same with the main male character of the story, Krishnan, who never seemed to own up to his part in the marital problems. This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the role cultural differences play in marriage, family dynamics, adoption and the mother-daughter relationship. This book requires a lot of "reading between the lines." The author paints a very vivid picture of the contrasting economic, social and physical conditions that exist in India.