Book ~ "Secret Daughter" (2011) Shilpi Somaya Gowda

From Goodreadsd~ 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.

This is the debut book by this author.  I liked the writing style of this book and it kept me interested and wanting to read it.

Going from 1984 to 2009, the chapters are written with a focus on a different character and location each time. This helped you get into the head and heart of the characters.

There are five main characters ... Somer, Krishnan, Asha, Kavita and Jasu. Of them, at first I liked Somer the least ... I liked her by the end, though.

I knew very little about life in India and learned a lot ... and I didn't find it boring.

I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it.