title: Secret Daughter: A Novel
author:  Shilpi Somaya Gowda 
description: This story about motherhood, loss, family and forgiveness is authentic in every way. The prose is so achingly touching, it draws the reader in with every description and emotion of the characters. --Associated Press<br /><br />Captivating and ultimately very wise ... especially vivid and heart-rending. This novel travels far iin the world, and deep into the human heart. --Minneapolis Star Tribune<br /><br />A debut novel from [a] fresh, vibrant voice portraying a heroine straddling two cultures ... offers readers cause of celebration ... A page-turning dual narrative. --Charlotte Observer &amp; Raleigh News &amp; Observer<br /><br />Secret Daughter is an engaging read, with quick shifts between characters and rapid movement through twenty years of familial narrative. --Boston Globe<br /><br />Gowda weaves her tale deftly ... Two worlds collide, then meld, in a story that intimately considers how we all are shaped, through fate or free will, nurture or nature, by the astounding power of family love. --Dallas Morning News
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Secret Daughter
  
  
  ## Shilpi Somaya Gowda
  
  
  ![image](Images/logo.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For my parents—
  
  
  for giving much in their lives
  
  
  so that anything might be possible in mine
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [Prologue](005-prologuepage.html#prologuepage)
  
  
  HE CLUTCHES THE WORN SLIP OF PAPER IN HIS HAND,…
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Part I](006-part01.html#part01)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [1](007-chapter01.html#chapter01)
  
  
  Dawn of Mourning
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [2](008-chapter02.html#chapter02)
  
  
  Clean
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [3](009-chapter03.html#chapter03)
  
  
  Never Again
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [4](010-chapter04.html#chapter04)
  
  
  Without Much Effort
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [5](011-chapter05.html#chapter05)
  
  
  A Long Journey
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [6](012-chapter06.html#chapter06)
  
  
  A Fair Assumption
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [7](013-chapter07.html#chapter07)
  
  
  Shanti
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [8](014-chapter08.html#chapter08)
  
  
  Out of Options
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [9](015-chapter09.html#chapter09)
  
  
  Solace
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [10](016-chapter10.html#chapter10)
  
  
  A Powerful Thing
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [11](017-chapter11.html#chapter11)
  
  
  Spend and Save
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [12]