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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Did not like this book. The true story the book is based on is fascinating.
Great read. Really an incredible story that needed to be told. I could have used a little more detail about how Taj really integrated into American society, but I can also understand the author's choice to write the story the way he did.
My first book of 2024 and it was a winner! Having read The Rent Collector by this author, when a friend suggested this book to me, I knew I had to move it up on my TBR list.
This was based on a true story and I appreciated the photographs as the end. My heart goes out to the two mothers and I cried huge tears when I saw pictures of them together. The book has some great discussion questions at the end. I would suggest this one to book clubs in search of diverse stories.
This was based on a true story and I appreciated the photographs as the end. My heart goes out to the two mothers and I cried huge tears when I saw pictures of them together. The book has some great discussion questions at the end. I would suggest this one to book clubs in search of diverse stories.
Quite possibly, the best book I’ve ever read. I loved this book from start to finish! My words will never be enough to fully embody the emotion and power of this unforgettable story. I’ve never read a book twice but know this is one I will 100% read again.
Wow, wow WOW!! I could not put this novel down. It is captivating and enlightening. The fact that it is based on the true life story of Taj Rowland (Chellamuthu), made the story all the more compelling. The insight into the circumstances surrounding Taj’s kidnapping of 8 or 9 years of age in India, his life as an adopted child in the U.S., and the feelings and experiences of all involved, was riveting.
The story begins with Taj as a young boy in India, his kidnapping and subsequent adoption in the U.S. and then it flash forwards 10 years to when he is an adult graduating from high school in the U.S. and his journey to find his family in India. I’ve read many reviews complaining about the large gap in time, but for me it wasn’t an issue. However, it does leave some unanswered questions about his relationship with his adoptive parents in the intervening years because when it flash forwards, it begins with Taj living away from home due to conflict with his parents and the author doesn’t go into much depth about their strained relationship. But it rectified itself in the end.
Camron Wright brilliantly captures the thinking and desires of a young boy and his journey from an angry, distant, apathetic young man into a faithful, loving, and forgiving person who eventually finds peace and closure.
I highly recommend the audio version. The narrator’s accents were masterful, expressive, and captivating.
I also highly recommend Camron Wright’s other book: The Rent Collector. Another riveting novel.
Rating: (S) No sex. (L) A few uses of the expletives “hell” and “damn”. (V) One instance of physical abuse as well as the circumstances of the kidnapping
The story begins with Taj as a young boy in India, his kidnapping and subsequent adoption in the U.S. and then it flash forwards 10 years to when he is an adult graduating from high school in the U.S. and his journey to find his family in India. I’ve read many reviews complaining about the large gap in time, but for me it wasn’t an issue. However, it does leave some unanswered questions about his relationship with his adoptive parents in the intervening years because when it flash forwards, it begins with Taj living away from home due to conflict with his parents and the author doesn’t go into much depth about their strained relationship. But it rectified itself in the end.
Camron Wright brilliantly captures the thinking and desires of a young boy and his journey from an angry, distant, apathetic young man into a faithful, loving, and forgiving person who eventually finds peace and closure.
I highly recommend the audio version. The narrator’s accents were masterful, expressive, and captivating.
I also highly recommend Camron Wright’s other book: The Rent Collector. Another riveting novel.
Rating: (S) No sex. (L) A few uses of the expletives “hell” and “damn”. (V) One instance of physical abuse as well as the circumstances of the kidnapping
Camron Wright is definitely my new favorite author and this may just be my new favorite book.
A story that would seem unbelievable if it weren’t based very closely to a true story. The books follows Taj, a boy who was stolen in India and adopted by American parents and eventually returns to India to find his family.
One thing I like about buddy reads is that I read books that I normally will not pick-up and find that there are lots of good books outside my normal genre and that is true with this book. Glad I buddy read this with readwithtoni and looking forward to the discussion.
The Orphan Keeper is based on a real life story of Taj Rowland. It’s his journey from the time he was kidnapped as a seven-year old boy named Chellamuthu, sold to a Christian orphanage, adopted by a couple in the US. With language barrier between Chellamuthu and his adoptive family, it took sometime for them to learn that he already has a family in India. They tried to track down his family but was unsuccessful. Despite of that, Chellamuthu was loved and became part of the Rowland’s. As he grew up, he tried to seek himself. Decades later, he met and married Priya who turned out has ties to his past. It made him questions himself more, wanting to go back to India and seek his family.
This is an incredible story on family, belongingness, deep loss and perseverance. Heartbreaking at times especially his life in India as a little boy, knowing that a lot of kids are kidnaped and sold with the intent of making money out of them. But it also feels hopeful and good towards the end knowing that he did well in his adult life. The journey that Chellamuthu / Taj went through is incredible as it is, his life in the orphanage, his journey to the US, his life as a student and he survives it all. Though I find the dialogue a bit like a script and has no emotions in it, the overall story is inspiring. I also wish more insights are presented on what happened to the orphanage, the people responsible in the orphanage and kidnaping itself.
The Orphan Keeper is based on a real life story of Taj Rowland. It’s his journey from the time he was kidnapped as a seven-year old boy named Chellamuthu, sold to a Christian orphanage, adopted by a couple in the US. With language barrier between Chellamuthu and his adoptive family, it took sometime for them to learn that he already has a family in India. They tried to track down his family but was unsuccessful. Despite of that, Chellamuthu was loved and became part of the Rowland’s. As he grew up, he tried to seek himself. Decades later, he met and married Priya who turned out has ties to his past. It made him questions himself more, wanting to go back to India and seek his family.
This is an incredible story on family, belongingness, deep loss and perseverance. Heartbreaking at times especially his life in India as a little boy, knowing that a lot of kids are kidnaped and sold with the intent of making money out of them. But it also feels hopeful and good towards the end knowing that he did well in his adult life. The journey that Chellamuthu / Taj went through is incredible as it is, his life in the orphanage, his journey to the US, his life as a student and he survives it all. Though I find the dialogue a bit like a script and has no emotions in it, the overall story is inspiring. I also wish more insights are presented on what happened to the orphanage, the people responsible in the orphanage and kidnaping itself.