The Daughters of Madurai: The heart-wrenching, thought-provoking book club debut of 2023

(Paperback)

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Description

'A girl is a burden. A girl is a curse.'

Madurai, 1992. A young mother in a poor family, Janani is told she is useless if she can't produce a son - or worse, bears daughters they can't afford. They let her keep her first baby girl but the rest are taken away as soon as they are born. The fate of her children has never been in her hands. But Janani can't forget the daughters who weren't allowed to live.

Sydney, 2019. Nila has a secret, one she's been keeping from her parents for far too long. Before she can say anything, her grandfather in India falls ill and she agrees to join her parents on a trip to Madurai - the first in over ten years. Growing up in Australia, Nila knows very little about where she or her family came from, or who they left behind. What she's about to learn will change her forever...

Perfect for fans of Christy Lefteri and Delia Owens.

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FEATURED IN COSMOPOLITAN AND GLAMOUR'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

'Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, this richly evocative and spellbinding book will touch your soul' VERONICA HENRY

'Haunting, moving, completely compelling - an incredible debut' JENNIFER SAINT

'Once read it is not easily forgotten' DAILY MAIL

'A beautiful story, hauntingly written' JULIE COHEN

'A captivating and riveting debut from an unforgettable new voice' LOUISE O'NEILL

Reviews

Exquisitely drawn, this book will pull you in from the first page. Nila and Janani's stories are delicately woven together and the sights, sounds and smells of India are so vivid. Heartrending but ultimately hopeful, this is a richly evocative and spellbinding book which will touch your soul. I raced through it as I was desperate to know what happens, but now I will return to read it more slowly and savour every word. * Veronica Henry *
A haunting, powerful novel. * Thrity Umrigar *
An absolutely beautiful debut about motherhood, family, friendship, and love. It tackles immensely difficult themes with such grace and tenderness. I can't wait to read more from Rajasree. * Jyoti Patel *
A truly powerful story that remains with you long after the final word has been read. * GLAMOUR *
Utterly devastating and quietly hopeful. * WOMAN'S OWN *
This raw and moving debut packs a punch. * PLATINUM *
Heart-breaking, emotional and thought-provoking... this book will stay with me for a long time. * Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie to You *
A captivating and riveting debut from an unforgettable new voice. * Louise O'Neill *
Once read it is not easily forgotten. -- Fanny Blake * DAILY MAIL *
Madurai is brought to life in vivid descriptions of ornate, colourful temples, hectic streets and delicious meals... You won't be able to put down this compelling novel. -- Elizabeth Archer * SUNDAY EXPRESS S MAGAZINE *
THE DAUGHTERS OF MADURAI is an assured and accomplished debut about the courage of women. I cared deeply about the brave and loving Janani, fighting against misogyny and tradition to save her unborn child in India; I identified strongly with Australian Nila, raised in the diaspora, who is torn between culture and identity. It's a beautiful story, hauntingly written, and I look forward to more from Rajasree Variyar. * Julie Cohen *
Powerful and important. * Karen Angelico *

Author Bio

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.