The Daughters of Madurai: Heartwrenching yet ultimately uplifting, this incredible debut will make you think
Rajasree Variyar
Apr 2023 · Hachette UK
4.5star
16 reviewsreport
Ebook
400
Pages
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About this ebook
'Oh my goodness. If I could give this book 6 stars out of 5 I would' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'One of those books that will stay with me for years and decades to come...' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A joy to read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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A temple city in lush southern India, Madurai is bustling with pilgrims and steeped in history and tradition. Yet not all traditions should be upheld...
1992. As a low-caste cleaner for a wealthy family, Janani's duty has always been quiet obedience. Even at home, her mother-in-law's word is law. Janani has never dared to dream of a different life. But now, she has something she'll do anything to protect... even if it means losing everything she's ever known.
2019. Nila doesn't remember her life before they moved to Australia, and her parents never talk about their past. So when she joins her parents on a trip to their hometown, Madurai, she hopes she'll finally uncover the truth. Especially as Nila seeks acceptance for a secret of her own...
For both Janani and Nila, love isn't simple.
Sometimes love is an act of courage...
_____________________________________________________________
COSMOPOLITAN AND GLAMOUR'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023
Apple's Best of the Month for May
'Haunting, moving, completely compelling - an incredible debut' JENNIFER SAINT
'A captivating and riveting debut from an unforgettable new voice' LOUISE O'NEILL
'Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, this richly evocative and spellbinding book will touch your soul' VERONICA HENRY
'A beautiful story, hauntingly written' JULIE COHEN
'Heartbreaking, emotional and thought-provoking... I will think about this story for a long time' ALIYA ALI-AFZAL
'Full of grace and tenderness' JYOTI PATEL
'A haunting, powerful novel' THRITY UMRIGAR
'Powerful and important' KAREN ANGELICO
'A truly powerful story that remains with you long after the final word has been read' GLAMOUR
'This raw and moving debut packs a punch' ADELE PARKS FOR PLATINUM
'Utterly devastating and quietly hopeful' WOMAN'S OWN
'Once read it is not easily forgotten' DAILY MAIL
'You won't be able to put this compelling novel down' SUNDAY EXPRESS
'One of those books that will stay with me for years and decades to come...' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A joy to read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
_____________________________________________________________
A temple city in lush southern India, Madurai is bustling with pilgrims and steeped in history and tradition. Yet not all traditions should be upheld...
1992. As a low-caste cleaner for a wealthy family, Janani's duty has always been quiet obedience. Even at home, her mother-in-law's word is law. Janani has never dared to dream of a different life. But now, she has something she'll do anything to protect... even if it means losing everything she's ever known.
2019. Nila doesn't remember her life before they moved to Australia, and her parents never talk about their past. So when she joins her parents on a trip to their hometown, Madurai, she hopes she'll finally uncover the truth. Especially as Nila seeks acceptance for a secret of her own...
For both Janani and Nila, love isn't simple.
Sometimes love is an act of courage...
_____________________________________________________________
COSMOPOLITAN AND GLAMOUR'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023
Apple's Best of the Month for May
'Haunting, moving, completely compelling - an incredible debut' JENNIFER SAINT
'A captivating and riveting debut from an unforgettable new voice' LOUISE O'NEILL
'Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, this richly evocative and spellbinding book will touch your soul' VERONICA HENRY
'A beautiful story, hauntingly written' JULIE COHEN
'Heartbreaking, emotional and thought-provoking... I will think about this story for a long time' ALIYA ALI-AFZAL
'Full of grace and tenderness' JYOTI PATEL
'A haunting, powerful novel' THRITY UMRIGAR
'Powerful and important' KAREN ANGELICO
'A truly powerful story that remains with you long after the final word has been read' GLAMOUR
'This raw and moving debut packs a punch' ADELE PARKS FOR PLATINUM
'Utterly devastating and quietly hopeful' WOMAN'S OWN
'Once read it is not easily forgotten' DAILY MAIL
'You won't be able to put this compelling novel down' SUNDAY EXPRESS
Ratings and reviews
4.5
16 reviews
Victoria Giardinieri
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May 11, 2023
Beautifully written and very moving. I remember my Mum telling me about her life growing up in South India and wished so much that I could tell her, how beautifully brave she was.
Lesley Bryce
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September 6, 2023
I adored this book and didn't want it to end
Night Man
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January 10, 2025
ma..
About the author
Rajasree Variyar grew up in Sydney, Australia and now lives in London, where she juggles writing alongside a career in digital insurance product development. She received her MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in 2020. Her manuscript of The Daughters of Madurai was shortlisted for Hatchette UK's 2019 Mo Siewcharran prize. Her short stories have won second prize in the Shooter Literary Magazine short story competition and been long-listed for the Brick Lane Bookshop short story competition.
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