Title: Daughter of the Ganges
Author: Asha Miro
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Atria (September 4, 2007)
Genre: Non Fiction (memoir)
Source: Library
Set in: India
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
My thoughts:
This is the story of an adoption. Asha was an Indian orphan who was adopted at the age of 6 by a couple in Barcelona. When Asha is in her twenties she feels an urge to find out about her origins, about her real parents. She takes up a volunteering assignment in Mumbai for a month and simultaneously find out more about her roots.
Daughter of the Ganges is the story of how she travels back to the village where she was born. This book was released in Italian in 2 parts when she first visits India and when she returns back after 7 years for filming a documentary based on her first book. The book was apparently a best seller in The UK but somehow it failed to create an impact on me. The story is touching, yes, but I couldn’t really get into the book. The sections that I felt affected me the most were the entries from Asha’s adoptive mothers diary. I applaud people like her parents who take in orphans and give them a home and a better future.
I would love to tell Ms. Asha one thing though. You were fortunate, yes, but not because you were adopted and taken out of India. You were fortunate just because you were adopted, it’s as plain and simple as that.
The way she writes the book made me feel as if all children in India are unlucky, adopted or not, and she had a great fortune because she was taken to Barcelona. It is the typical western mentality. Sorry for generalizing, I know not everybody thinks like that. Asha probably never meant for the book come across that way and she probably does not even realize it. But anyway, I just thought I should mention it.
I am not really sure if I want to recommend this book. The first half was pretty slow but the second part was really good. I think children who are adopted will be able to relate to this book really well. When I read the Amazon reviews I feel as if I should have loved this book. But it just didn’t appeal to me and a part of me does feel bad about that.
VIOLET CRUSH 
I’m sorry you didn’t find this book appealing. It’s a pity it didn’t deliver as I thought the premise sounds promising though.
The story line seems very close to another book synopsis I read last week . Too bad this book didn’t make a engaging read. I’ll still look out for this one and give it a try..:)
It sounds like the author had an interesting life. I imagine she’s always been told that she was lucky to be adopted so she could leave India.
I would agree that that is the typical Western mentality. I can definitely see where this book would be annoying!
Great review! I get what you mean about the typical Western mentality, and that’s a very interesting take on the book. I had never heard of it before, so I’m a bit curious about it! Sorry you didn’t enjoy it more, but I appreciate that you took the time to write an honest review of it.
story sounds interesting.. but u mention slow ,so i am going to run a mile away from this one..
That kind of mentality is VERY off-putting
I’m sorry bthis was such a let-down.
I’m sorry this book didn’t quite work for you.
I have great admiration for people who adopt children as well. My husband’s father was adopted. He’s never had an interest in researching his bio family’s history, however, beyond the little he already knows. I am sorry this book didn’t work for you. I can understand your frustration with the impression the author gave of being glad she was adopted and taken out of India. That would bug me too. I agree with you, it is wonderful that she was adopted period. But as you suggested, I wonder if the author was even aware of having that attitude or coming across that way. I’d like to think she didn’t. Maybe she’ll read your review and do some soul searching. 🙂
hi aasha miro i am bhausaheb
I read this book too and I have to agree with this review. It was touching, but didn’t feel very genuine. If Asha had a real genuine desire to discover her roots, she wouldn’t have waited all those years to seek our her sister and when she did that she wouldn’t have descended on the poor villagers with the whole doumentary crew. She regrets it herself that she can’t think of the remote Maharashtrian village as a home. She accepts that she can’t imagine living in her sister’s house. It almost seemed as if she used the poor villagers for the documentary.