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.

Sejal Badani, Author of “The Storyteller’s Secret” has written a captivating, intriguing, emotional , riveting, and emotional story. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction with a touch of Romance. The timeline is in both the present and the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The story is told in both the United States, and India. The author vividly describes the colorful cast of characters and the landscapes with great detail. Jaya, a journalist is devastated after her third miscarriage, and feels that her marriage is falling apart. Jaya’s parents try to be there for her, but here is something that is missing in her relationship with her mother. Jaya feels that she is at loose ends and wants to find herself, and happiness again. While she is at her parent’s house, there is news that her mother’s father is dying, and the mother is requested to come to India. Instead Jaya uses this as an opportunity to heal and discover information about her family, that her mother has never talked about. Jaya’s mother has never wanted to go back to India, and doesn’t discuss what happened. Jaya is determined as a journalist that she will write about her trip to India. Ravi, her grandmother’s former servant meets Jaya, and starts to tell her grandmother’s story. Java was not aware of the deep secrets, courage, hurt, and dreams that her grandmother had. Jaya’s grandmother was a writer as well. Why hasn’t Jaya’s mother ever told her about her grandmother? Jaya learns not only many Indian customs, she becomes aware of the history of India during the British occupation. She sees evidence of both poverty and beauty. Jaya visits the orphanage, and sees the discrimination among the different classes. I enjoyed the descriptions of the customs, holidays, foods, and people in India. I appreciate that the author describes the Caste system, and provides the historical background that adds so much to India’s history. This is a story of dreams, love and finding oneself. I would highly recommend this for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.

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.