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mike_morse's review against another edition
3.0
If possible, I would give 5 stars to 2/3 of this book, and 1 star to the other 1/3. There are three main characters in the book, Nisha, Devi, and Shilpa, and the chapters alternate between their voices. Devi and Shilpa are interesting, but Nisha's chapters are intolerable because they are relentlessly repetitive. Nisha’s problem is that her brain constantly reviews the same issues, probably a form of OCD. But why must the reader suffer through it? The Indian sides of the book are rich with culture and life dilemmas, which I enjoyed. But I’m not sure I actually believe the level of emotion in this book. Is finding out that you were adopted really enough of an emotional blow to make your life go off the rails?
This book has an amazingly complex structure, but it works mostly. Much of the story is told by characters either reading another character’s (or there own) writing or relating things that happen in the past (in other words, one character is telling a story to another character). As such, there are very frequent switches in time, place, tense and person. Some of these can be a little jarring, until you remember, “Oh that’s right, she was telling this story in that situation,” but it’s to the author’s credit that it works pretty well.
A note on the audio book: The story takes place in London and India, and the reader has marvelous accents for both, which I think adds a lot to the listening experience. It makes me wonder what it would be like to read the print version of the book. How much would be lost?
This book has an amazingly complex structure, but it works mostly. Much of the story is told by characters either reading another character’s (or there own) writing or relating things that happen in the past (in other words, one character is telling a story to another character). As such, there are very frequent switches in time, place, tense and person. Some of these can be a little jarring, until you remember, “Oh that’s right, she was telling this story in that situation,” but it’s to the author’s credit that it works pretty well.
A note on the audio book: The story takes place in London and India, and the reader has marvelous accents for both, which I think adds a lot to the listening experience. It makes me wonder what it would be like to read the print version of the book. How much would be lost?
debdatta's review against another edition
5.0
Fingerprint Publishing House is slowly becoming my favourite source of review copies. They have been consistently publishing really good books. The Forgotten Daughter by Renita D’Silva only adds to their collection.
The Forgotten Daughter is the story of three women – Shilpa, Devi and Nisha. It is the story of their lives, their choices and their ups and downs in life. On one hand we have Nisha whose life falls apart after her parents’ death with a simple note. The words ‘You were adopted’ breaks down everything that Nisha thought she knew about her parents and challenges everything that she thought she knew about herself. On the other hand we have Shilpa and Devi who are trying their best to hold on to each other. With Shilpa’s life close to flickering out, Devi finds her mother’s journal filled with snippets of her life. Devi too tries to convey her side of the story. Three different women and three very different voices brought together in a plot woven by Renits D’Silva.
The book is just perfect in every way. The author has done a lovely job of bringing these women to life through her words. The characters are well developed with many hues to them. The connection I felt to them is not because of familiarity but something else on the whole. It was as if I felt their joys, their pains and lived their lives with them. The story itself invoked so many emotions in me that a person like me, who reads captivating books in one sitting, was forced to put down the book at intervals. It was so that I could reflect on the experiences or memories of the characters and actually separate my emotions from theirs. The author lyrical language and engaging narration style only adds to the beauty of the book. I have to admit that it did take me 15-20 pages to get comfortable, but once I was settled, there was no turning back with this book.
A beautiful story, narrated stunningly and is a must read.
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2016/03/the-forgotten-daughter.html
The Forgotten Daughter is the story of three women – Shilpa, Devi and Nisha. It is the story of their lives, their choices and their ups and downs in life. On one hand we have Nisha whose life falls apart after her parents’ death with a simple note. The words ‘You were adopted’ breaks down everything that Nisha thought she knew about her parents and challenges everything that she thought she knew about herself. On the other hand we have Shilpa and Devi who are trying their best to hold on to each other. With Shilpa’s life close to flickering out, Devi finds her mother’s journal filled with snippets of her life. Devi too tries to convey her side of the story. Three different women and three very different voices brought together in a plot woven by Renits D’Silva.
The book is just perfect in every way. The author has done a lovely job of bringing these women to life through her words. The characters are well developed with many hues to them. The connection I felt to them is not because of familiarity but something else on the whole. It was as if I felt their joys, their pains and lived their lives with them. The story itself invoked so many emotions in me that a person like me, who reads captivating books in one sitting, was forced to put down the book at intervals. It was so that I could reflect on the experiences or memories of the characters and actually separate my emotions from theirs. The author lyrical language and engaging narration style only adds to the beauty of the book. I have to admit that it did take me 15-20 pages to get comfortable, but once I was settled, there was no turning back with this book.
A beautiful story, narrated stunningly and is a must read.
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2016/03/the-forgotten-daughter.html
dsmw_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
islandplannerbrenda's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fabulous book about a mother's love, and one of the few books that I anticipate reading again. I don't very often take the time to write a review but just had to for this one. Highly recommend this book, great story and interesting setting in a small village in India.
terrimarshall's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a nice light read. It was okay but felt a little repetitive and wordy in places.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good book, and a time period that isn't visited very often in romance novels. Josie wants more out of life than working at her father's resort and being one of the local "princesses." When given the opportunity, she jumped at the chance to sneak off to nearby Duluth and attempt to help the prostitutes working the docks. Those missions become much more difficult after she has to call on her friend Scooter Wilson to bail her out of jail. Suddenly, Scooter won't let her out of his sight.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Scooter and Josie. They've been friends since they were children, and Josie has always been more comfortable with him than any of the other guys she knows. So when she needed help, he was the one she called. She didn't expect him to get that mad when he found out what she was doing. She wasn't at all happy when he threatened to tell her father what she was doing. Plus, every time she turned around, Scooter was right there, making it impossible for her to sneak away. Josie is very stubborn, and nothing that Scooter can say to her will stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Scooter has been friends with Josie for a long time, but deep down he wants more. Unfortunately, she's the daughter of the richest man around, and he's simply the owner of one little gas station and car repair business. Once he finds out what Josie is up to, he is determined to keep her safe. However, he didn't realize just how hazardous it would be - to his heart.
I loved the interactions between Josie and Scooter. Josie's stubbornness tends to find its voice in sarcasm and snark. But try as she might, she can't shake him loose. I loved how well Scooter knew and understood Josie, and it was fun to see him thwart almost every attempt she made to sneak away. The night of the Fourth of July celebration was fun to see. It was also the first time that Josie looked at Scooter as more than just a friend. That first kiss they shared was pretty steamy, and quite a surprise to her. There were times that Scooter's protectiveness was a little heavy-handed, but I think a large part of that was his frustration with her. I ached a bit for Scooter because of his certainty that he wasn't good enough for her. I liked how Josie started to realize that she'd cared for Scooter for a long time. Once she did, there was no holding her back. I loved the ending as she demolished each of his obstacles to their future together.
The premise of Josie's mission was intense and had its dark moments. She got involved when a friend of hers was kidnapped by a prostitution ring, and she became part of the group that rescued her. After seeing the plight of the women forced into that lifestyle, Josie had to help. I was impressed with her creativity in disguises, and her quick thinking when in trouble. But she also didn't seem to realize just how much danger she was in until Fourth of July night and Scooter's pretty blunt explanations. Even then, her stubbornness led her into danger that she almost didn't get out of. There were some very intense moments as Scooter came to her rescue. There were some interesting twists and turns provided by Scooter and a new friend of his, and I had to laugh at Josie's frustration with it all. The final resolution was quite satisfying, with an excellent scene involving Scooter, Josie, and her father.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Scooter and Josie. They've been friends since they were children, and Josie has always been more comfortable with him than any of the other guys she knows. So when she needed help, he was the one she called. She didn't expect him to get that mad when he found out what she was doing. She wasn't at all happy when he threatened to tell her father what she was doing. Plus, every time she turned around, Scooter was right there, making it impossible for her to sneak away. Josie is very stubborn, and nothing that Scooter can say to her will stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Scooter has been friends with Josie for a long time, but deep down he wants more. Unfortunately, she's the daughter of the richest man around, and he's simply the owner of one little gas station and car repair business. Once he finds out what Josie is up to, he is determined to keep her safe. However, he didn't realize just how hazardous it would be - to his heart.
I loved the interactions between Josie and Scooter. Josie's stubbornness tends to find its voice in sarcasm and snark. But try as she might, she can't shake him loose. I loved how well Scooter knew and understood Josie, and it was fun to see him thwart almost every attempt she made to sneak away. The night of the Fourth of July celebration was fun to see. It was also the first time that Josie looked at Scooter as more than just a friend. That first kiss they shared was pretty steamy, and quite a surprise to her. There were times that Scooter's protectiveness was a little heavy-handed, but I think a large part of that was his frustration with her. I ached a bit for Scooter because of his certainty that he wasn't good enough for her. I liked how Josie started to realize that she'd cared for Scooter for a long time. Once she did, there was no holding her back. I loved the ending as she demolished each of his obstacles to their future together.
The premise of Josie's mission was intense and had its dark moments. She got involved when a friend of hers was kidnapped by a prostitution ring, and she became part of the group that rescued her. After seeing the plight of the women forced into that lifestyle, Josie had to help. I was impressed with her creativity in disguises, and her quick thinking when in trouble. But she also didn't seem to realize just how much danger she was in until Fourth of July night and Scooter's pretty blunt explanations. Even then, her stubbornness led her into danger that she almost didn't get out of. There were some very intense moments as Scooter came to her rescue. There were some interesting twists and turns provided by Scooter and a new friend of his, and I had to laugh at Josie's frustration with it all. The final resolution was quite satisfying, with an excellent scene involving Scooter, Josie, and her father.
maddie_09's review against another edition
5.0
Evocative, beautifully written, emotional The Forgotten Daughter is an absolute pleasure to read. Renita D'Silva's writing is absolutely exquisite; smells, colours, they are so vivid, almost intoxicating.
Interweaving stories of three different women, D'Silva created a wonderful book covering themes of love, familial bonds and cultural identity. Her characters are strong and filled with emotions and fully relatable.
It was my first book by that author but it won't be the last. Highly recommended!
Interweaving stories of three different women, D'Silva created a wonderful book covering themes of love, familial bonds and cultural identity. Her characters are strong and filled with emotions and fully relatable.
It was my first book by that author but it won't be the last. Highly recommended!
indywrites's review against another edition
4.0
This is one book that has surprised me with its content, writing style and just the evocative images that Renita D’Silva’s writing evokes. I picked the book due to its blurb about the changes the truth about being adopted would evoke.
I was fully prepared for it to be a tear jerker with the story from the point of view of a child but I was in for a pleasant surprise. This book is not about tears, loss or sadness. The Forgotten Daughter is a story about life, love and longing and a lot more. The author spins a sweetly worded tale of the quest of a daughter in search of her parents and a daughter looking for her mother.
All of this is through the eyes of three ladies, Nisha, Devi and Shilpa. The book moves through the thoughts and diaries of these three women and each presents their own side of the story, how they are involved yet separate. I found this extremely moving as page by page the story unfolded with each woman’s tone, language and thoughts being so different from the other. Initially I had thought that the father must be the reason of adoption, then I blamed the mother, eventually I blamed the sister.
Yet, Renita surprised me with the ending and the way the story progressed. I savored the soft, graceful language; descriptive yet emotive. She created images and evoked nostalgia with her words. Nisha, practical and technical one with her lists, numbers and reasons. Devi, the fiery one who spoke and lived with the anger she knew not how to snuff out. Shilpa, the demure one, love overflowing yet still inadequate.
Three ladies as different as can be and their men who we somehow exactly what they needed. This book renders a whole new meaning to fate and its mysterious ways. I enjoyed reading about the tenacity of life and how it manifests in the unlikely of times. The book has a steady flow, neither too fast nor slow with each chapter unraveling the mystery and bringing a family to where it must be.
I could go on and on but suffice to say I loved the book. If you are looking for a book with depth, a good solid story, a yearning to read how our world and life plays out in the mysterious ways, why we all surrender to a greater power this is a book for you. And a bitter sweet happy ending to boot!
This book is full of prose that evokes surreal visual imagery, words that connect to the heart and language that makes it a pleasure to read. The Forgotten Daughter will find a place in your heart as a mother or daughter or sister as you will definitely find a reflection of yourself within its pages.
(I received a copy of the book from Fingerprint Publishing, the review is my own honest opinion.)
I was fully prepared for it to be a tear jerker with the story from the point of view of a child but I was in for a pleasant surprise. This book is not about tears, loss or sadness. The Forgotten Daughter is a story about life, love and longing and a lot more. The author spins a sweetly worded tale of the quest of a daughter in search of her parents and a daughter looking for her mother.
All of this is through the eyes of three ladies, Nisha, Devi and Shilpa. The book moves through the thoughts and diaries of these three women and each presents their own side of the story, how they are involved yet separate. I found this extremely moving as page by page the story unfolded with each woman’s tone, language and thoughts being so different from the other. Initially I had thought that the father must be the reason of adoption, then I blamed the mother, eventually I blamed the sister.
Yet, Renita surprised me with the ending and the way the story progressed. I savored the soft, graceful language; descriptive yet emotive. She created images and evoked nostalgia with her words. Nisha, practical and technical one with her lists, numbers and reasons. Devi, the fiery one who spoke and lived with the anger she knew not how to snuff out. Shilpa, the demure one, love overflowing yet still inadequate.
Three ladies as different as can be and their men who we somehow exactly what they needed. This book renders a whole new meaning to fate and its mysterious ways. I enjoyed reading about the tenacity of life and how it manifests in the unlikely of times. The book has a steady flow, neither too fast nor slow with each chapter unraveling the mystery and bringing a family to where it must be.
I could go on and on but suffice to say I loved the book. If you are looking for a book with depth, a good solid story, a yearning to read how our world and life plays out in the mysterious ways, why we all surrender to a greater power this is a book for you. And a bitter sweet happy ending to boot!
This book is full of prose that evokes surreal visual imagery, words that connect to the heart and language that makes it a pleasure to read. The Forgotten Daughter will find a place in your heart as a mother or daughter or sister as you will definitely find a reflection of yourself within its pages.
(I received a copy of the book from Fingerprint Publishing, the review is my own honest opinion.)
dennyhb's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aazak127's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book overall. But you figure out the whole story too soon and then have to read about it from 3 characters' perspectives. To echo other reviewers, the writing is repetitive and way too descriptive at times. I became quite exhausted reading about the 'tangy scent of ripe mangoes and jasmine and wet earth' on repeat.