The Secret of Elephants

By: Vasundra Tailor

Narrated by: Sharmila Devar

Navsari, India. Penniless and trapped in a loveless marriage, Nirmala spends her days anxiously caring for her sick young son, Varun. Looming over Nirmala’s impoverished home is an imposing mansion built by her grandfather, and from its balcony her cruel aunt scorns them, refusing to help in any way.

But when a mysterious letter addressed to her long-dead father arrives from Zimbabwe, it opens a door to a past Nirmala never knew existed and a future she never imagined possible. If the contents of the letter can be believed, not only does she have family in Africa, but they might also hold the answers to a family mystery that spans three generations.

While travelling to Zimbabwe might lead to a brighter future for Nirmala and her son, it could also reignite the bitter family feud that condemned her family to poverty. Nirmala is ready to risk it all to uncover the truth, but how will she cope when this journey changes her life forever?

©2022 Vasundra Tailor (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Tailor’s thought-provoking, sophisticated debut is so engaging it is hard to believe writing wasn’t this UK pharmacist’s first career.… Listeners will ache for Nirmala as narrator Sharmila Devar imbues her, and all of Tailor’s wonderfully drawn characters, with genuine emotional depth. Devar’s nuanced performance smooths transitions from past to present while gradually building suspense toward a shocking climax. Devar’s performance of this riveting, cross-continental, generational family saga, with its sharp explorations of class, income, and gender inequality, should make Tailor’s debut a hit with armchair travelers as well as contemporary-fiction fans.”—Library Journal

“Tailor’s debut is both evocative and intriguing.”—Booklist

“The Secret of Elephants is a novel of beauty, wisdom, and discovery. Prepare to fall in love with Vasundra Tailor’s writing, I know I did…”—Amanda Prowse, international bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner

Loved the nostalgia of growing up in Zimbabwe and visiting family in Navsari Enjoyed the story too

Really enjoyed the book and the writing style. Would highly recommend it. The Zim parts took me right back to all the memories and times there

Very different from other books it was eye opening

The story was hard to follow at first but then it became a book I couldn't put down. A very good read!

Fun listen

Interestingly sweet captivating story. Fun characters and plot twist and turn. Family relationships (Two more words were needed to submit this review )

Couldn't finish it because of narration

I was excited about this book and looked forward to it, especially after reading the reviews. However, I could not finish it because of the narration. The narrator does so many different voices that simply are over the top, and it is quite distracting.

Cultural read

Loved the authenticity of this story
Heart warming, well written
Enjoyed more than I expected