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metchap's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookjools's review
4.0
Nirmala is in a loveless marriage with a cruel man who is abusive to her and their young son who has an illness which makes him fit. They live in poverty but Nirmala’s Aunty lives opposite in a mansion. Alas, something happened in the past with her late parents and her Aunty so their relationship is practically nonexistent. One day Nirmala receives a letter from someone claiming to be a close relation in Zimbabwe. After being encouraged to reply by her friends …. Nirmala and her son find themselves on an all expenses paid trip to meet their relations. She finds out that Aunty isn’t the true owner of the mansion after all ….
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.
booksbybindu's review
5.0
‘The Secret of Elephants’ is a beautiful and thought-provoking story which manages to take in the huge topics of family, love, betrayal, tragedy, poverty and class divisions to name a few. It was a carefully constructed tale that I devoured in two sittings and it managed to transport me back to India and it felt as if I could feel the heat shimmering off the page and taste and smell all the amazing food. The writer definitely has a way with words and I was utterly mesmerized by Nimrala and her families story.
Nimrala lives in Navsari, India with her small son Varun and her husband. She struggles to make ends meet and when her son falls ill and she has to ask her husband for money for medicine she begins to contemplate her life. Why her aunt lives in Suparna Mansions but yet her late father was cast out by the family for daring to marry into a lower caste? When she receives a letter from Zimbabwe from someone who claims they are related her life is thrown upside down.
This book shows how deep divides in families can run and how secrets can be hidden away but when the truth comes out it can be devastating for all involved. It also shows that despite how modern India is becoming we are only a few generations away from when the caste system was rigid, marriages were arranged and love matches were rare. The author manages to convey all this with sensitivity and empathy.
I love the ease at which the author seemed to find the characterised of this story as there wasn't one who wasn't fully formed and all were memorable. I particularly loved Nimrala, Varun and Suparna. I loved the historical sections of the book and would have loved these to be slightly bigger than they were but that's me the history nut talking and wanting to know more about these characters.
Family sagas are always going to be a yes for me as a reader but mix in the lure of India, brilliant writing and a plot that covers such deep and meaningful themes it means it is a winner!
Nimrala lives in Navsari, India with her small son Varun and her husband. She struggles to make ends meet and when her son falls ill and she has to ask her husband for money for medicine she begins to contemplate her life. Why her aunt lives in Suparna Mansions but yet her late father was cast out by the family for daring to marry into a lower caste? When she receives a letter from Zimbabwe from someone who claims they are related her life is thrown upside down.
This book shows how deep divides in families can run and how secrets can be hidden away but when the truth comes out it can be devastating for all involved. It also shows that despite how modern India is becoming we are only a few generations away from when the caste system was rigid, marriages were arranged and love matches were rare. The author manages to convey all this with sensitivity and empathy.
I love the ease at which the author seemed to find the characterised of this story as there wasn't one who wasn't fully formed and all were memorable. I particularly loved Nimrala, Varun and Suparna. I loved the historical sections of the book and would have loved these to be slightly bigger than they were but that's me the history nut talking and wanting to know more about these characters.
Family sagas are always going to be a yes for me as a reader but mix in the lure of India, brilliant writing and a plot that covers such deep and meaningful themes it means it is a winner!
ashndean88's review
2.0
More of a 2.5/5.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway, and to a degree I'm glad I did! It's a book exploring a culture and environment I'm not familiar with, so I liked learning and experiencing new scenarios. However, the story itself was just okay. It was a bit unpredictable and somewhat interesting, which was nice, but nothing gripping. The ending itself felt rushed, very convenient, and unrealistically tied up in a nice little bow.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway, and to a degree I'm glad I did! It's a book exploring a culture and environment I'm not familiar with, so I liked learning and experiencing new scenarios. However, the story itself was just okay. It was a bit unpredictable and somewhat interesting, which was nice, but nothing gripping. The ending itself felt rushed, very convenient, and unrealistically tied up in a nice little bow.
gigiiscorner's review
4.0
This was an emotionally captivating story that honestly left me with tears in my eyes within the first 30 pages. I’d say this beautifully heart-wrenching narrative holds the same level of depth and beauty as "The Nightingale," making it an outstanding and memorable read.
Nirmala is a shining example of resilience. She navigates through so much of hardships, emerging as a positive, kind-hearted individual despite the odds stacked against her. Her journey shows us the invincibility of the human spirit and the enduring bonds of family.
The book delves into the complexities of family, both found and biological, and explores the various challenges and hardships that come with it. What sets this story apart is its unique blend of Indian and Zimbabwean heritage with such a rich cultural tapestry to explore. The rich historical and cultural really makes the read so much better!!
It's a story that will touch your heart, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human soul. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a compelling and moving tale of love, family, and heritage.
Nirmala is a shining example of resilience. She navigates through so much of hardships, emerging as a positive, kind-hearted individual despite the odds stacked against her. Her journey shows us the invincibility of the human spirit and the enduring bonds of family.
The book delves into the complexities of family, both found and biological, and explores the various challenges and hardships that come with it. What sets this story apart is its unique blend of Indian and Zimbabwean heritage with such a rich cultural tapestry to explore. The rich historical and cultural really makes the read so much better!!
It's a story that will touch your heart, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human soul. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a compelling and moving tale of love, family, and heritage.
coffeekitaab's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"Navsari, India. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, Nirmala spends her days anxiously caring for her sick young son, Varun. Looming over Nirmala’s impoverished home is an imposing mansion built by her grandfather, and from its balcony her cruel aunt scorns them, refusing to help in any way. But when a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father arrives from Zimbabwe, it opens a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible."
AD/PR Product
Thank you @tandemcollective and @amazonpublishing for the opportunity to be a part of this readalong. Nirmala's footsteps felt like a journey I would not have been introduced to without this spotlight, and the read was an eye-opener.
This book started off strong. We learn of a bizarre tragedy that has led the earlier generation of family members becoming estranged, and how this domino effect ultimately befalls Nirmala's life. Not only do we cover a multiple generational POV but also involving two different families, there is alot going on. The way India and particularly Zimbabwe are visualised in the book is gorgeous, and I experienced a sense of escapism as I made my way through the pages; the narrative is rich with culture and diversity.
The main protagonists are well written and well developed characters, however, at the cost of fleshing out the story, the side characters are underdeveloped and I would question including them in the story at all (unless this was made into a longer novel). There was definite potential. I think these additional side characters made the story hard to follow in parts for me, and around three-quarters of the way through the book I felt there was unnecessary repetition that could have been reduced. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the premise of the book, for a debut it is fantastic read and I am looking forward to seeing more from Vasundra Tailor. Thank you @tandemcollective @amazonpublishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review, and to read this as part of the #collectivevoices campaign.
AD/PR Product
Thank you @tandemcollective and @amazonpublishing for the opportunity to be a part of this readalong. Nirmala's footsteps felt like a journey I would not have been introduced to without this spotlight, and the read was an eye-opener.
This book started off strong. We learn of a bizarre tragedy that has led the earlier generation of family members becoming estranged, and how this domino effect ultimately befalls Nirmala's life. Not only do we cover a multiple generational POV but also involving two different families, there is alot going on. The way India and particularly Zimbabwe are visualised in the book is gorgeous, and I experienced a sense of escapism as I made my way through the pages; the narrative is rich with culture and diversity.
The main protagonists are well written and well developed characters, however, at the cost of fleshing out the story, the side characters are underdeveloped and I would question including them in the story at all (unless this was made into a longer novel). There was definite potential. I think these additional side characters made the story hard to follow in parts for me, and around three-quarters of the way through the book I felt there was unnecessary repetition that could have been reduced. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the premise of the book, for a debut it is fantastic read and I am looking forward to seeing more from Vasundra Tailor. Thank you @tandemcollective @amazonpublishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review, and to read this as part of the #collectivevoices campaign.
all_books_great_and_small's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0