“Gangamma, like Asha, wondered if she was going against the wishes of God by giving a barren woman a baby. “If she can’t have a child, it’s because God doesn’t want her to have one,” Gangamma said. “Don’t you think we’re doing something wrong here?” “And if God gives us cancer, we still get treated, don’t we? We don’t sit around and think this is God’s will,” Keertana said. “This is the same thing.””                                  A HOUSE for HAPPY MOTHERS (Lake Union Publishing)

Amulya Malladi’s novel, A HOUSE FOR HAPPY MOTHERS takes us on an emotional journey of surrogacy, experiencing the heart-wrenching terrain encountered by mothers in first and third worlds. The culturally different roles women play in these societies are highlighted in what used to be warm, private family experiences, that some might argue now have become “rent-a-womb” business transactions.

Priya is the daughter of a Caucasian father and an Indian mother. She lives in Silicon Valley and has everything she could want, a wonderful husband, house, career, but she’s unable to have a baby. Asha lives in a small tin roof hut in an Indian Village, half-way around the world with her husband and two children. They struggle to eat and keep a roof over their heads, but Asha is desperate to afford an education for her gifted son.

Asha knows of the Happy Mothers House, essentially a “baby farm” for wealthy childless couples overseas. It’s not her first choice to make money, but after her family pressures her, she checks in. Priya’s friends and family are surprised she is willing to tap into India’s rising surrogacy industry, wondering if she’s exploiting Asha.

A HOUSE FOR HAPPY MOTHERS is a thought-provoking novel that will work well in book-clubs. The story alternates between Priya and Asha perspectives, from Silicon Valley back to the small Indian Village. Priya frequents late night internet surrogate message boards. Asha is part of a traditionally arranged marriage, and must obey her husband, also worrying if her husband will squander the money they make. “Womb-renting” is frowned upon in the Village, so many women hide, emerging nine-months later saying they “lost” the baby.

Amulya uses subtle nuances to bridge the two women’s stories over two continents and cultures without making any judgements and leaves readers are to decide for themselves.

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REALITY CHECK:

It’s interesting to note that in October 2015, the Indian Government banned all surrogate services for foreigners and ordered all fertility clinics in India to stop hiring Indian women from bearing children for them. The government argues they are protecting poor Indian women from exploitation. But the women argue that they could never earn the money they make from being surrogates and want the government to “get out of their private lives.”

The Indian Government has also instructed Indian Embassies abroad, to stop granting “reproductive tourism” visas.  (yes, that’s what they are called.)

The surrogacy issue remains in the Indian Supreme Court.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Amulya Malladi

Amulya Malladi is the author of six novels, including THE SOUND of Language and THE MANGO SEASON. Her books have been translated into several languages, including Dutch, German, Spanish, Danish, Romanian, Serbian, and Tamil. She lives in Copenhagen with her husband and two children.

Connect with Amulya

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC Book Tours   http://www.tlcbooktours.com   and Lake Union Publishing we have one copy of A HAPPY HOUSE FOR HAPPY MOTHERS to give away. Just leave a comment telling us what you think about this controversial issue. As I wrote above, I bet this novel will be the perfect choice for many book-clubs. We’ll pick a winner Monday.

Amulya Malladi’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Thursday, May 26th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Friday, May 27th: Broken Teepee

Tuesday, May 31st: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Wednesday, June 1st: Kahakai Kitchen

Wednesday, June 1st: Chick Lit Central – spotlight/giveaway

Thursday, June 2nd: Mom’s Small Victories

Monday, June 6th: Bibliotica

Tuesday, June 7th: 5 Minutes for Books

Wednesday, June 8th: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Thursday, June 9th: Luxury Reading

Friday, June 10th: A Splendid Messy Life

Monday, June 13th: Lavish Bookshelf

Tuesday, June 14th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Wednesday, June 15th: The Reading Date

Thursday, June 16th: Lit and Life

Friday, June 17th: Books a la Mode – guest post/giveaway

Monday, June 20th: BookNAround

Tuesday, June 21st: Patricia’s Wisdom

Thursday, June 23rd: Good Girl Gone Redneck

Monday, June 27th: Worth Getting in Bed For