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Secret Daughter  By  cover art

Secret Daughter

By: Shilpi Somaya Gowda
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
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Publisher's summary

Debut novelist Shilpi Somaya Gowda pens this compelling tale about two families, worlds apart, linked by one Indian child. After giving birth to a girl for a second time, impoverished Kavita must give her up to an orphanage. The baby, named Asha, is adopted by an American doctor and raised in California. But once grown, Asha decides to return to India.

©2010 Shilpi Somaya Gowda (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Gowda writes with compassion and uncanny perception … while portraying the vibrant traditions, sights, and sounds of modern India.” ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Secret Daughter

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interesting story

enjoyed the book. loved listening to the insight and perspective on two polar opposite cultures and lives.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

entertaining

I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. struggles of adoptive families. to want and pull to find birth parents was shared through this story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant story line, imagery and voice character!

Very captivating look at current day issues in India.... things the average person wouldn't know. A great peek into the culture!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Kept waiting for climax

The story follows the lives of several characters. None were overly remarkable and there was never a big reveal or climactic ending. The ending was kind of disappointment.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

good easy listening

Where does Secret Daughter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An enjoyable story I enjoyed listening to all of the different characters perspective on the same story. The reader was wonderful to listen to.

Have you listened to any of Soneela Nankani’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Who was the most memorable character of Secret Daughter and why?

The daughter because she was able to see both sides of the cultural clash between the characters

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5 people found this helpful

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book review

Loved it and the narrator. great story and interesting setting. learned quite a lot of India. a land of rich and poor, just like any country. Lee
rating. 10/10

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Surprise ending

Great book. I didn't expect the ending but it left me thinking. I think this book would promote good discussions.

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  • Overall
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A “page turner”

I say a page turner because I obviously listened. This book was incredibly interesting, enticing me to listen from beginning to end. The story of these families was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Shilpi Gowda wove a beautiful story spanning two continents. She drew a believable picture of the lives of these families and the trials they all faced. The narration was beautifully done and made me feel like I knew the characters. Highly recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fresh and current

I enjoyed this one a lot. I loved the glimpse into Indian culture and how it intersects with American culture. It was all very believable. The story itself was well developed and relatable. It's a definite read for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story about love

A beautiful story about adoption, family, and the power of love. The author weaves the story well, without falling into cliché.

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