The Storyteller's Secret: A Novel

"Life is a puzzle with pieces that seem to constantly be reshaping themselves to alter the picture." "We were thrown into a storm, and for a while it proved more powerful than both of us. Our sails weren't stronger than the wind's rage, and we nearly drowned in the currents" "What if we all stood equal in one another's eyes and felt pride at our reflection? For one day only, maybe we could put aside our differences and come together in our own sameness. For one day, we could see that past all the variations, we are all the same with similar hopes, dreams, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. For one day, we could stand together, not apart, and treat others as we would hope to be treated." Only three of the many quotes that profoundly touched me in this beautifully written book by Sejal Badani. After her third miscarriage, and what feels like the end of her marriage, Jaya leaves the only home she's ever known and goes to India in search of answers to questions that have plagued her throughout her whole life. While there, she discovers more about herself, her family, and human nature in general, than she could ever dream possible. Badani weaves a tale of loyalty, love, sacrifice, and betrayal that leaves you breathless with emotion. She plucks at every heartstring as she slowly reveals the devastating truths to the secrets that have bound this family together for decades. I was folded into this family's story and grew to love them as if they were my own. I've never read a book that gripped my heart, in a close and personal way, as this one. Badani is truly gifted in her ability to develop colorful, relatable characters. Although the story was very predictable, I was so invested in and connected to the lives of these characters, I really didn't care. It almost made the story more emotional for me because I could see where they were going and I desperately wanted to save them from their own experiences. This book changed me, and the way I view friendship. True friendship is unwavering and knows no boundaries. Reading it has been a gift beyond measure.

A captivating story that had me reading for hours, impossible to set down until the full secret was revealed. Sad it has ended but not without closure. Loved it from beginning to end!

EDITED at suggestion of a comments by James Crain and Kindle Reader Kit, below. Last month the Amazon First books, and the short stories, all seemed to resonate with me. This month, only two stories provided any glimmer of interest for me. Then, a review of one of the two dissuaded me from reading that one. So, I took a chance on "The Storyteller’s Secret,” even though it sounded a bit too common. Would I be inspired? Would I be letdown? Is this story merely a good read, or is it something more? Read on to learn what I found… POV: Starts out in first person, but then shifts to third person. THE WRITING: Frankly, the first three or four chapters were, well, sensitively written, but not particularly interesting for me. Essentially, they were written to show why our heroine travels to India. Parts were gripping, but other parts felt as if the author was trickling information instead of painting a picture. Yeah, it was a bit like my writing, so I shan’t be too critical. By Chapter 6, when we travel back in time to the 1930’s, the POV changes to third person and becomes much more engaging. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I did feel relieved to begin reading of Grandfather Deepak and Amisha. Suffice it to say that I lived in Egypt for a number of years and fell in love with an Egyptian lady and we married in 2002. To this day, I still tend to not fully fathom the society my wife was raised in. Even so, I am able to get a glimpse of the different views of Indian society and its strict adherence to their customs. If readers keep this in mind while reading “The Storyteller’s Secret,” it may help them navigate the nuances hinted at. It is important to note that journalists, (of small newspapers and large) are always reminded to keep their opinions out of the stories they write, because it is important for readers to see what is happening so they can arrive at their own conclusions. I found this easy, usually, as did the protagonist in this tale of woe, which became an epiphany for her upon learning the sordid details of her grandmother. Saying such is not a spoiler, as without some sort of story arc, there would be no reason to relay such a tale of fiction that almost could be true. BLUSH FACTOR: As for language and sex, no worries here. ADVENTURE: To explore the fictional tale of a family history in a foreign land (India) is an adventure of sorts, but this is not an adventure on the scale of, say, Emerald Forest. This adventure is more of one from one society to another. Rather than refer to this tale as a story of adventure, it is more a quest for discovery. SOUL: Yes, this has soul. When you can read the plight of someone raised in a society with vastly different customs, and the strict adherence by most to those customs, and still feel empathy for them, that is a story with soul. To some extent, I suppose, my view of Indians of Asian descent was enhanced because of this story. Not to an earthshaking extent, but I am moved. EXCERPT In this excerpt you will likely deduce that Amisha is a strong-willed Indian woman heavily influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Ghandhi, which some revered as revolutionary seeking more than mere independence from Britain, but independence from the shackles of custom. Amisha would pay the price for her convictions, but that is getting ahead of the story… ‘…Amisha remembered Chara’s order to find a servant she could trust. Because Ravi did not live in her village, he would not be part of the crowd whose loyalty would be to Chara first. She gnawed on her lip as her palms started to sweat and her heart fluttered. Even as the plan hatched, she feared she was inviting Chara’s wrath. “You would work anywhere?” “Who are you?” Frustration laced his words. He kept glancing around them. Amisha knew he was afraid of being beaten. She had seen it before when an untouchable spoke to a woman of a higher caste. “I am the daughter-in-law of the mill’s owner,” Amisha replied quickly. She said it without pride since her position in society mattered little to her. At the widening of his eyes, she added, “Work for me.” If she waited any longer, she feared talking herself out of it. “It is cruel for you to joke.” Ravi turned away, barely masking his disgust. “I am not laughing, and neither should you be.” The man’s desire to be more than what was allowed struck a chord deep within her, and Amisha couldn’t imagine a better comrade for herself. “Take the offer or don’t. Just decide quickly so I know to look elsewhere.” “I am an untouchable.” Ravi hit the dirt with his bare foot and glanced away in shame. “It is important for you to know.” “I am a woman.” Her reality always a looming shadow, she glanced at the sun. “We have now established our roles.” “You are the mill owner’s daughter,” Ravi argued. “My parents and siblings are also vagrants. Begging is our destiny.” Furious, he paused before muttering, “No matter how hard I try to change it.” “Daughter-in-law,” Amisha corrected. “Both of our circumstances dictate how we live.” When his gaze met hers, she refused to look away. “My mother-in-law treats me no better than a servant.” “Is it acceptable for me to be a servant in your home?” Ravi seemed to accept that he couldn’t win the war of semantics with her. Unwilling to admit the truth, Amisha deflected. “I should tell you the story of a handsome singer.” “I would prefer you didn’t,” Ravi returned. She ignored him. “This singer wanted…’ Badani, Sejal. The Storyteller's Secret: A Novel (pp. 60-61). Lake Union Publishing. Kindle Edition. BOTTOM LINE A story of this richness and contrast might make for an interesting 90 minutes entertainment on TV. If the producers and directors can show the story without straying too far from the writer’s depiction, it might be a big hit on HBO or Showtime. I doubt that it would fare well on Hallmark Channel. At any rate, although the writing is not one of those 'life-changing' books, it is a good read by a talented writer of Indian descent. I definitely will be reading more of her books. Four stars out of five. I am writing a book for aspiring reviewers and for product suppliers seeking reviews in an effort to help improve the process and to understand the value of Amazon’s Customer Review process. I hope to incorporate many of the received comments, with attribution to those making the suggestions, into my books. Together, you and I can build a great customer review process that helps everybody. Will you join me? It is people such as you who have helped me improve over the years. I'm still learning, and I have a great deal yet to learn. With your help, I'll improve every day. One request: Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you. NOTE: I am unable to post replies to comments at my reviews. Not sure why. I will, though try to update reviews to incorporate suggestions or answers to questions. Further, feel free to use “Contact Us” at i-read-test-review dot com. I enjoy reading all comments, pro and con, so keep posting them as you wish. I even get a kick out of sarcastic comments from Onion Eaters! Thank you so much for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment.

I did not really want to read this book it just seemed to be the lesser of evils when it came to this months prime picks. The beginning did not encourage me much as it was a little on the depressing side. When Jaya escapes to India to escape her pain of multiple miscarriages the story starts to get interesting - and I ended up staying up all night reading it. Jaya begins to hear a story about her grandmother, Amisha, and it helps her to understand her own mother and in the end she learns to take another perspective when looking at her own life. This was a fantastic read. I cried and I never cry. Your heart goes out to Amisha's situation and the way it works out. Aside from the grandmothers story you also see a heartbreaking look at the poor side of India and how some of their traditions have hurt them. The caste system still is there is the more rural places which is where this story takes place. The description of the orphanage Jaya goes to is heartrending and makes you want to go to India and change things. The story makes so many of the things we have heard of come to life -things we have never been acquainted with. The rest of the story of Amisha's life is something that you will have to read for yourself and I guarantee you will love her story.

This novel provides an in depth look at a culture I only knew from afar. Intertwined with life in India for native women in the past, it serves to emphasize the differences between the two cultures. Well written with imagery that enables the reader to “be in the moment.” Highly recommend.

The Indian culture is always a source of fascination. The Storyteller ‘s Secret stands out among novels in this genre for several reasons. Firstly, It is a finely constructed story of two women, generations and worlds apart, who share the struggle to come to terms with the sorrows and disappointments Fate bestows on them and figure out how to manage them, even find joy, while staying true to who they are at their core. Secondly, Badani managers to shed light on the injustices, even cruelties that exist in the Indian culture; treatment of girls/ women and those of other castes while exquisitely explaining the history and context of the practices. She does not condone or excuse them but holds them up to the light to be understood and shown as the intrinsic injustices they are. It’s a delicate balance. Triumph over difficulties, romance, and history all rolled into an engaging journey.

Beautifully written. I really enjoyed reading the book. I love the journey into India’s cultures during the days of the British occupation. Although it is kind of predictable, I hardly put it down.

A womderful and very moving story. I enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend reading it. Keep some tissues ready…. Thank you Sejal Badani

Very good book. History and ordinary stories of extraordinary people mixed together in a perfect blend.

I honestly would not normally pick this kind of book but it was a monthly freebie and I like to read a wide range of books. What a wonderful delightful surprise when I started reading it. I think this may be one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. The book just sucked me into the pages - the lovely descriptions of India and Hindu practices and ceremonies just made me feel like I had stepped into another world. The story itself is sad, beautiful and reminiscent of times gone by and yet highlighting how things have changed from the 1930's when Amisha a young Indian bride had no real value as a human being right up to more modern times when her grand daughter Jaya is facing problems that are healed by learning about her family roots. This book has great depth and perception. I just love the character Ravi - he is all that is good and wise in this world. Parts of this book made me cry - both from sadness and happiness. From a technical point of view the book is not perfect - and yet that makes it all the more endearing.