Someone Else’s Garden
Dipika Rai
386 pages
Harper Perennial
Source: Publisher
“People are defined by what they love and what they hate” starts the story of Lata Bai and her daughter Mamta. Lata Bai lives a life of disappointment. Married to an indentured servant who can’t see a life for himself or his family beyond the farm he has to care for, Lata Bai knows that the only thing she can do is take pleasure in the small things in her life like telling her daughters myths and other stories from her childhood.
At 20 years old and unmarried, Mamta is looked upon by all as being too old for marriage. If she receives any offers of marriage, it wouldn’t matter what her future-husband is like, her father will take it. The author doesn’t shield readers from the harsh lives that mothers and daughters live through. Arraigned marriages are the norm and it’s in a woman’s best interest to produce as many sons as possible or they could be thrown out of their houses so their husbands can get a new wife. It’s not usual for some wives to have fatal cooking “accidents”. Someone’s Else Garden is the story of not just the cruelty of social norms for mothers and daughters but also the love that the two can have for each other.
Rai’s writing is so real that I felt heartbreak when Lata Bai gave Mamta away at her wedding. Often times a mother will never see her daughter again once she’s married. I also felt heartbreak for Mamta who dreamt of having a husband who loves her instead of one who ends up beating her. Rai doesn’t hold back from describing everyday life in rural India but readers are never overwhelmed either.
I think this is an excellent book for readers who want to know more about cultures other than their own. Someone Else’s Garden is a book that took me out of my reading comfort zone and placed me firmly in the shoes of great characters.
1330v: Thoughts of an eclectic reader 
Your description of this story reminds me a little bit of Waiting by Ha Jin. The scope and end result of the stories are very different, but something about the lives of the women in these two stories seems to strike on some similar chords to me. Great review, I think I would like to read this one so I am adding it to the list!
This sounds interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I love to read about other cultures, so I’m making a note of this book. Great review!
I love your review, but the book itself sounds too depressing for me! (So was Waiting, by Ha Jin, by the Way) :–)
I love to read stories about other cultures and lands. This one sounds like it will be sad but it’s going on my list.
Sounds great! I’ll keep it in mind! It’s always great to stretch yourself.
India is a great setting for books about mothers and daughter, don’t you think? Such complex social and psychological context.
I’m alll about experiencing another culture, and this one sounds amazing. Reading your review actually reminded me a bit of The Good Earth. Reading about women’s experiences during that time was heartbreaking but still enlightening.
It’s a treat when a book outside my comfort zone turns out to be such a great read – I’m so glad this was like that for you.
Thanks for being on the tour.
Glad you liked this book! It was definitely a nitty-gritty look into rural Indian life!
Would like to read this. A new author and book for me.
great review! i’m adding this book to my tbr for sure. i always loved reading about other cultures. i remember in high school one of the girls at my school had an arranged marriage and i just couldn’t believe it! she was only 17 or 18. it’ll be interesting to read about all the complex issues that surround an arrange marriage.
Wow..this sounds fantastic! You always find such amazing sounding books 🙂