The Daughters of Madurai
A Novel

In a Nutshell:A highly relevant topic that loses its impact due to the simplistic writing style and glossing over of key events. Good description of places, but shallow exploration of people. Story Synopsis: 1992, Madurai, India. Janani knows that unless she bears a son, her future isn’t secure in he......more

Let me preface this review by saying I'm not Indian, Indian Australian, or in any way related to the diaspora. Rosh is, and left a very informative review. I read this very slowly, as it deals with a difficult subject matter. Asian cultures prize male children above female children. We all remember C......more

1992. janani gives birth to yet another girl. her mother-in-law, forever disappointed, calls for the infanticide of the child before janani can even wake up from such a strenuous birth. a girl means a dowry, a girl has minimal rights, a girl child is not a son. 2019. nila wants to understand her mot......more

An endearing and emotional read about India's daughters. Of Janani, who kept losing her daughters to a horrific tradition of female infanticide. Of Nila, the only one Janani saved and raised in Australia. Firstly, I must appreciate the subject the author chose for her debut book. There are countless......more

This is one of those books which come with a lot of expectations because of the serious subject matter but disappoint because it’s very superficial. I will appreciate the author to take on such a difficult subject but I wish it didn't lack depth. The other thing that irked me through out the novel w......more