The mother I never knew

Summary:
What secrets lurk in a family’s past—and how important are they in the here and now?
Sudha Murty’s new book comprises two novellas that explore two quests by two different men—both for mothers they never knew they had.

Venkatesh, a bank manager, stumbles upon his lookalike one fine day. When he probes further, he discovers his father’s hidden past, which includes an abandoned wife and child. Ventakesh is determined to make amends to his impoverished stepmother—but how can he repay his father’s debt?
Mukesh, a young man, is shocked to realize after his father’s death that he was actually adopted. He sets out to find his biological mother, but the deeper he delves, the more confused he is about where his loyalties should lie: with the mother who gave birth to him, or with the mother who brought him up.

The Mother I Never Knew is a poignant, dramatic book that reaches deep into the human heart to reveal what we really feel about those closest to us.

My Review:
Sudha Murty is a people person.  With her philanthropic works and extensive travelling she meets a lot of people from very diverse backgrounds.  She conjures up two stories from this vast oceans of stories that are apt for the same title. 

She has laced the social evils and injustice to women in the rural parts of India.  She depicts the ugly face of the society and the sheer will power of these women who endure such hardship.  Her forte is spin a story that is very much like watching a soap or a 80 or 90's movie. 

It was one racy read and the turn of events could be easily judged.  It was the last couple of chapters that was a bit unusual and kept me hooked.  The mould of the characters are very structured and could easily resemble anyone living.  But lets not delve into the real world itself, the press does its share to fill us with the grim details.  But whenever a secret is to be told, the author simply creates an ambience where everyone leaves and the people discussing the secret can simply carry on.  How convenient! yet the author decides to cut to the chase (for our sake of course)and spares us more drama.  Simple English and riveting narration are the key points which will help you breeze through the book in a couple of hours.