The House of Hidden Mothers - Couverture souple

"Moving and incredibly funny at the same time. A great achievement." (RICHARD E. GRANT)

"Dazzling. Intense and gritty at times, sparkling and hilarious at others. I found it absorbing, witty, joyous and moving...and that’s all I really want from a book!" (JO BRAND)

"Wise, witty and warm - a deliciously exotic feast of a book, spiced with the two best ingredients, love and laughter" (KATHY LETTE)

"Through her novels, screenwriting and acting Meera Syal has not only changed the way Britain sees British Asians, but how British Asians see and talk about themselves. It is no surprise that her new, much-anticipated, novel is totally original and important and true." (SATNAM SANGHERA)

Shyama is in love like she has never been before. Pale and English, Toby, a farmer's son, treats her with the love and respect her former Asian husband never did.

Shyama loves so keenly that she badly wants them to have a baby. But at 48 years old, she cannot conceive. She elects to use a surrogate.

When Shyama meets the young girl from rural India who will be the surrogate mother, they form a deep friendship. Mala is wise and kind, and ambitious to escape her background.

It is only as the child is born that devastating decisions will be made. Decisions that will leave one of them broken....