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The Golden Son

Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Start date: November 2, 2015

Finish date: November 8, 2015

Why we're reading this: From Shilpi Somaya Gowda, the beloved author of the international bestselling novel Secret Daughter, come…more
[close] From Shilpi Somaya Gowda, the beloved author of the international bestselling novel Secret Daughter, comes a moving new book about a young Indian doctor who leaves his village for a residency in the US.

"Vivid, heart-warming, and absorbing, The Golden Son succeeds as an immigrant’s tale and love story wrapped into one." —Heidi Durrow

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Oct 04, 2015 Laurie • The Baking Bookworm rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, canadian

My Review: I have been so eager to read another book by Canadian author Shilpi Somaya Gowda since I simply adored her first book, Secret Daughter back in August 2010. Once again Ms Gowda doesn't disappoint her readers.

The Golden Son is a culture-filled coming of age story that also showcases the complexities of family bonds and friendships. Anil is a young man who lives precariously between two worlds - Gujarat, a small, rural town in India where he was born and raised as part of the town's most My Review: I have been so eager to read another book by Canadian author Shilpi Somaya Gowda since I simply adored her first book, Secret Daughter back in August 2010. Once again Ms Gowda doesn't disappoint her readers.

The Golden Son is a culture-filled coming of age story that also showcases the complexities of family bonds and friendships. Anil is a young man who lives precariously between two worlds - Gujarat, a small, rural town in India where he was born and raised as part of the town's most respected families and Texas where he is training to be a doctor.

Anil is initially a fish out of water as he struggles to acclimate to life in Texas, Western culture/technology and sadly racism and ignorance. He struggles with the individualism he has in the States versus the communal, family obligations that he has back in India, specifically the demands put on him by his family as the eldest son and the Arbiter for Gujarat, an old tradition of a respected person settling grievances of family and friends in a community.

The story also follows Leena, Anil's childhood friend who was raised on a neighbouring farm as the daughter of a tenant farmer. She follows a more traditional path for her life back in India with some heartbreaking results. While these two lead very different lives they are both struggling to find their own ways.

The only criticism I have regarding this book is that, at times, Anil's medical school issues were more at the forefront than I would have liked. I was much more invested in his personal/cultural issues than what studies he was working on for his education.

As with Secret Daughter, Gowda teaches her readers about the complexities and beauty of Indian culture. Her characters are interesting and as I read the book I figured I knew how it would all play out but Gowda threw in some unexpected twists. The book ended with a different outcome than I was expecting yet it was still a very satisfying conclusion.

My Rating: 4/5 stars

**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. ** ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2016 Jody Spencer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great story about the struggles of old traditions in a new world.

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 06, 2015 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shilpi has done it again. This is a beautifully written book and for those who read Secret Daughter, my friends, you will not be disappointed.

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 17, 2015 Karen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anil Patel is the oldest son in a traditional Indian family. A brilliant student, the gets and internship in a hospital in Texas. Initially, he feels very out of place. As he adapts to life in America, he begins to feel very far away from life in India, Over the years he learns how to maintain his role in each place. The author captures the fear and frustration of an immigrant, the challenges of internship and residency and the conflicts between the traditional demands of an Indian family and li ...more

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Apr 27, 2015 Tamye rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: wishlist, harpercollins-canada, family-drama, fiction-adult, canadian-author, in-collection, cultural-india, published-in-2015

Loved it! I liked following the parallel story lines of Anil and Leena and wondering if they will get together in the end. Shilpi Somaya Gowda is a wonderful storyteller. Highly recommended!

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