Questions About Secret Daughter

by Shilpi Somaya Gowda (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (3)

i was unsure what the very last letter Jasu received at the orphanage was, the one from Asha. Can anyone clarify? is it implying that Asha left a letter for her biological parents incase they ever came to the orphanage to ask about her? or is it one of her old letters that she wrote as a child? i am annoyed that i am confused by this....just me?

Ally I read this to imply that it was a letter she wrote after she decided not to meet them in their apartment. A letter in which she came to terms, as an …moreI read this to imply that it was a letter she wrote after she decided not to meet them in their apartment. A letter in which she came to terms, as an adult, with her relation to them. She realizes that while they could not care for her, or they didn't want her, for whatever reason, they brought her to the orphanage and gave her a different life. Hope, if you will. She realizes of all that she has seen in the slums, how easily she could have been one of those children. She doesn't seek them out, not knowing what she will get from them. But she leaves the letter for them, out of a reflection on who she is, and that she will satisfy their curiosity about her. She loves them too, in her own sense, just as they do her. Think about it, Kavita doesn't seek out information from the orphanage until she sends Jasu, possibly while she is on her deathbed. She had her own demons about the whole affair, in her life. Asha managed hers by leaving the letter, but not seeking them out. Does that help? (less)

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I see some people have shelved this as an adult book - would you say it's unsuitable for 12-year-olds?

Pauline Compared to a lot of the books marketed towards kids that age, I think this is much cleaner. Yes, there are details about gender selection but there i…moreCompared to a lot of the books marketed towards kids that age, I think this is much cleaner. Yes, there are details about gender selection but there is no graphic content of any kind. I would allow my 12 year old to read it. (less)

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Can a person really recall specific details on seeing again, somebody else’s unique eyes first seen once 20 years ago?