The inspiring and heartbreaking story of one of India's unsung heroes.
Madhuri lives with her entire family in a tiny room in the cramped slums of Chennai, India, finding joy in her family despite their poverty. When tragedy strikes and her father dies, her mother has no choice but to send her away. What remains of Madhuri's childhood is a harrowing journey that will test her incredible spirit's ability to triumph over adversity.
Moving from unpaid labor in a charitable institution to servitude for a wealthy family, Madhuri's life is marked by drudgery and cruelty until news of the unwelcome attentions of her male boss reaches the ears of her mother. Her mother strikes a desperate bargain in order to rescue her through marriage, but the cost is unimaginable. Can Madhuri break free of the heartbreaking promise that has been made on her behalf and take control of her destiny?
"The Unseen Goddess" is a powerful tale of one woman's fight against the generational trauma and injustices facing India's marginalized women. Madhuri's journey embodies the ongoing struggle for equality in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
“The Unseen Goddess is a gripping fictionalized tale…[Shinde’s] powerful storytelling highlights themes of social inequalities in India, particularly the experiences of women living in abject poverty…It offers a deep understanding of the cultural context of India, particularly the lives of women in lower socio-economic strata.”
-San Francisco Book Review
"Both compelling and heart-wrenching… raw and beautiful… [a} deeply moving novel…
A must-read for those who savor stories of empowerment against all odds.
A powerful and evocative read that sheds light on the tenacity of the human spirit."
-Publishers Weekly/BookLife
"… [an} evocative… vivid… candid novel… [in a] world where issues of social justice abound… a woman sees goddess images everywhere, though none seem to be protecting her."
-Foreword Clarion Reviews
"An affecting portrait of poverty and resilience."
-Kirkus