The Storyteller's Secret: A Novel

Written by Sejal Badani

Narrated by Soneela Nankani

An Amazon Charts, USA Today, and Washington Post bestseller.

From the bestselling author of Trail of Broken Wings comes an epic story of the unrelenting force of love, the power of healing, and the invincible desire to dream.

Nothing prepares Jaya, a New York journalist, for the heartbreak of her third miscarriage and the slow unraveling of her marriage in its wake. Desperate to assuage her deep anguish, she decides to go to India to uncover answers to her family’s past.

Intoxicated by the sights, smells, and sounds she experiences, Jaya becomes an eager student of the culture. But it is Ravi—her grandmother’s former servant and trusted confidant—who reveals the resilience, struggles, secret love, and tragic fall of Jaya’s pioneering grandmother during the British occupation. Through her courageous grandmother’s arrestingly romantic and heart-wrenching story, Jaya discovers the legacy bequeathed to her and a strength that, until now, she never knew was possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Sep 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781713565963

Sejal Badani

A former attorney, Sejal Badani is the author of the bestselling novel and Goodreads Fiction Award finalist Trail of Broken Wings. When not writing, Sejal enjoys reading and traveling.

Reviews for The Storyteller's Secret

[Michelle Zuhlsdorf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I've read recently. Very good story and well told.

[Barbara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I finish a book crying, I know for certain it’s a winner because the characters have touched my heart. For me, that is great story telling.

[castlelass · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Protagonist Jaya, experiencing marital troubles, travels to her deceased grandparents’ home in India, where she learns the story of her family’s past. Her grandmother, Amisha, lived during the British Raj era. She was a storyteller, a woman with ideas that did not fit well with the expectations of her traditional role. She wanted to be able to tell her stories in English and was tutored by a British lieutenant.

This story is a journey of discovery. In learning about her grandparents’ lives, Jaya begins to understand more about herself, her mother, and her relationship with her husband. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of holiday celebrations and India’s cultural traditions.

Where the book does not succeed as well is in tying together the two narratives. This really should be Amisha’s story, and Jaya’s portion feels forced. It jumps from one scene to the next without an easy flow. The “secret” is obvious early on and the ending is a bit too tidy. So, between the pluses and minuses, I can say I liked it enough to read another book by this author.

[Jennifer Settle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My new favorite, This book was great, I couldn't put it down. The story is so captivating and pulls at your heart. I will Definitely be recommending this book to my friends and family.

[livelylady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When unable to have a child, Jaya goes back to India to find out about her roots, family and heritage. Excellent saga spanning a few generations and lots of love and commitment.

[hemlokgang · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Nice story. I, however, will be a dissenting review. I think this book would best be classified as best for YA readers. I like my prose more complex and I do not necessarily appreciate themes being handed to me on a silver platter. Call me crazy, but I like to work a little harder intellectually to grasp the meaning in a novel.

[wordbyword_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall, a good story though somewhat predicable. I had a hard time with the writing initially, a bit too wooden, but eventually curiosity took over and drew me on. I really liked the glimpses of India, I've got a long-held fascination with India and its culture and history, so this was the most interesting part of the book for me. As to the relationships between the characters, I found them to be a bit cliché and the emotions somehow 'soap operaish'. Still, an interesting enough read though nowhere near the calibre of Arundathi Roy's God of Small Things.

[headinherbooks_27 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

BEAUTIFUL STORY!! It's filled with so much depth and emotions. It was heart-wrenching. Apart of me wanted to put it down so I could take a breath but another part of me was glued to the story and didn't want to let it go.

[quirkylibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A little too sweet and sophomoric when it came to the romance between Stephen and Amisha, the pacing was slow in the final third of the book and it was all very neatly, too neatly, tied up in a sweet bow for the end. However, I love books set in India and/or are cross-cultural, and the frank descriptions of what Jaya saw and learned when she finally went to India were fascinating.

[mishker-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jaya has just suffered her third miscarriage. She is carrying around insurmountable grief and it has taken a toll on her marriage. When Jaya returns home to tell her parents the news, she finds out that her grandfather in India is near death and wants her mother to return. Jaya's mother remains shrouded in mystery, always attentive, but distant, Jaya's mother has never spoken of India or her parents and is adamant about not returning. Jaya takes the opportunity to escape. Once in India, Jaya is overwhelmed by the different way of life and excitement of finding out about her family. Jaya connects with Ravi, her grandmother's servant and confidante. Over time, Ravi reveals the story of Jaya's grandmother taking Jaya back to the English occupation. With knew knowledge and her grandmother's past revealed, Jaya begins to unravel her own pain and untangle the emotions of her own experience. The Storytreller's Secret is an emotional journey that spans the decades. The story alternates between Jaya and Amisha's stories. The beginning of the book caught me off guard, it was a strong introduction to the unique pain of a miscarriage and the struggle that comes with it. I was intrigued by the family mysteries that awaited Jaya in India. I losved Ravi's character and his appreciation of Indian culture and life itself. Through Ravi, the history of India unfolds, the food the holiday's, the caste system and the differences between classes are shown. As Ravi tells Amisha's story, his love and respect for her is apparent. Though Amisha's story was predictable, I felt connected to her character. India in the 1920's was compelling through Amisha's eyes. I do wish there was more included about the effects of the English occupation and the war, but that was not the focus of the story. I was amazed at what Amisha was able to accomplish and the secrets that she kept. Overall, The Storyteller's secret is a moving and historical story of healing and forgiveness. This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found it interesting at first but then less so as I read later into the story. I guess I should have guessed from the author's name that the main character had ancestry in India but I didn't and when it was revealed to the reader, I felt a bit surprised.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author, Sejal Badani crafts a beautiful and touching story about friendship, love, and family in The Storyteller's Secret. While, the story may have been about Jaya learning about her grandmother's past; it was really and truly Amisha that I loved the most. Well Amisha and Ravi. Ravi was a dear friend and confidant of Amisha. I had grown just as close to him as I did Amisha. When the story did switch to Jaya, it was in short snippets. It took me a while to warm up to Jaya. In fact, I skipped a few parts when Jaya would come up until the last several ones at the end. Speaking of the ending, it was both a happy and bittersweet ending. Readers looking for a great book to read, should [ick up a copy of this book. You will be in for a real treat.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This isn't a book I would have normally picked up, but I got it through my Prime account, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was drawn into the story quickly. While I enjoyed reading about Jaya while in the US (if "enjoyed" is the right word - things weren't good for her at the time the novel begins), I really enjoyed reading about her trip to India and her grandmother's story. India is not a part of the world with which I am familiar, so it was a learning experience for me and prompted me to look up some information about the country. The book is disturbing in places, but considering the time frame, not unexpected. The ending is good and satisfying.

[decaturmamaof2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Intetesting, but a bit facile. Fun read though.

[john_warner-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jaya has had three miscarriages in one year. Desperate for a child, she retreats into such a deep depression that it causes the separation of her and Patrick. When her mother receives a letter from India that her father, Jaya's grandfather, is very ill. Her mother tells Jaya that she won't go because her father forbade her to return to India after she married her husband. Hoping to distance herself from her current situation, Jaya decides to go to India in her mother's stead. When she arrives, she meets Ravi, an untouchable and her grandmother's servant and friend who informs her that her grandfather has died. Her grandmother died decades before her grandfather. While in India, Ravi tells Jaya the story of Amisha, her grandmother. Through the telling of her grandmother's story, can Jaya find healing?Although I purchased the audiobook for my daughter, she recommended that I also listen to it. Samantha, I am glad that you did encourage me to listen to it! Although I have since purchased the book for my wife, I don't know how it will compare to the audiobook. The narrator, Siiri Scott, brought the characters: Jaya, Amisha and Ravi to life. Much of the setting for Amisha and Ravi was in pre-India independence. The narrator skillfully portrayed each one's position in life. The narrator also effectively portrayed the contemporary character of Jaya. I'm not sure if reading the text will be the same but listening to the audiobook will require the listener to keep a box of tissue nearby. Sejal Badani had written a beautiful book of romance and heartbreak and the sustaining power of love. Although this book is considered a woman's book, the feminine side of the male species might also appreciate this novel's beauty.

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book. Loved the threads of the story and the people living the story

[teachlz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sejal Badani, Author of “The Storyteller’s Secret” has written a captivating, intriguing, emotional , riveting, and emotional story. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction with a touch of Romance. The timeline is in both the present and the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The story is told in both the United States, and India. The author vividly describes the colorful cast of characters and the landscapes with great detail.Jaya, a journalist is devastated after her third miscarriage, and feels that her marriage is falling apart. Jaya’s parents try to be there for her, but here is something that is missing in her relationship with her mother. Jaya feels that she is at loose ends and wants to find herself, and happiness again. While she is at her parent’s house, there is news that her mother’s father is dying, and the mother is requested to come to India. Instead Jaya uses this as an opportunity to heal and discover information about her family, that her mother has never talked about. Jaya’s mother has never wanted to go back to India, and doesn’t discuss what happened.Jaya is determined as a journalist that she will write about her trip to India. Ravi, her grandmother’s former servant meets Jaya, and starts to tell her grandmother’s story. Java was not aware of the deep secrets, courage, hurt, and dreams that her grandmother had. Jaya’s grandmother was a writer as well. Why hasn’t Jaya’s mother ever told her about her grandmother? Jaya learns not only many Indian customs, she becomes aware of the history of India during the British occupation. She sees evidence of both poverty and beauty. Jaya visits the orphanage, and sees the discrimination among the different classes.I enjoyed the descriptions of the customs, holidays, foods, and people in India. I appreciate that the author describes the Caste system, and provides the historical background that adds so much to India’s history. This is a story of dreams, love and finding oneself. I would highly recommend this for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.