The House of Hidden Mothers

A Novel

By: Meera Syal

Narrated by: Meera Syal

Shyama, a 48-year-old London divorcée, already has an unruly teenage daughter, but that doesn't stop her and her younger lover, Toby, from wanting a child together. Their relationship may look like a cliché, but despite the news from her doctor that she no longer has any viable eggs, Shyama's not ready to give up on their dream of having a baby. So they decide to find an Indian surrogate to carry their child, which is how they meet Mala, a young woman trapped in an oppressive marriage in a small Indian town from which she's desperate to escape. But as the pregnancy progresses, they discover that their simple arrangement may be far more complicated than it seems.

©2015 Chestwig & Flares Productions Ltd. (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A] well-paced, enjoyable read." ( Kirkus)

Meera Syal can read to me all day 💜

Many ethical and social issues surrounding surrogacy are addressed in this story. Should a fifty-something woman raise a newborn? Are we shelving our morals to be ok impregnating poor women in distant countries and paying a fee to have them carry a child they will not raise? Is her life really improved if her husband has dominion over her financial gain? The generational, cultural, and emotional struggles between the mothers, daughters, and aunties will make you weep with empathy and tears of joy.

Excellent narration and a very absorbing story

I really got into this interesting story, and as it progressed I couldn’t stop thinking about it. By the end I didn’t want to pause or take a break, and had to binge it. Even then I listened to the last bit a few times, just to absorb it better. Really excellent narration as well.

good book but highly triggering

I couldn't put it down, even though the triggers came early and often. usually the ending at least pays off, but this one didn't. Don't start this one. You won't be able to quit it and it'll put you through the wringer. I'd look into the author's other works.