The Storyteller's Secret by Sejal Badani is praised for its evocative storytelling and rich cultural detail. Readers highlighted its emotional depth and compelling characters. However, some found the pacing uneven and the narrative occasionally predictable. Overall, it’s a moving tale that resonates deeply, though it may not satisfy those seeking brisk action.

Fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman will love The Storyteller's Secret by Sejal Badani. This novel appeals to readers who enjoy emotionally charged historical fiction with strong, resilient female protagonists and intricate family dynamics.

The Storyteller's Secret by Sejal Badani follows Jaya, a woman coping with the grief of multiple miscarriages and a dissolving marriage, as she travels to India to uncover her family's hidden history. There, she learns about her grandmother Amisha, a writer who defied societal norms in 1930s and 1940s colonial India, forging a forbidden love and striving for personal freedom.

Emotional / Inspirational / Bittersweet / Contemplative / Romantic

**Jaya**  
A journalist grappling with personal loss and strained family relationships, she travels to India in search of healing and discovers her estranged extended family.

**Amisha**  
A young woman in 1930s India who uses her passion for storytelling to transcend societal gender norms and form meaningful connections, partially through her relationship with an English teacher.

**Ravi**  
An Untouchable servant hired by Amisha who serves as a wise confidant, helping preserve her legacy and support the main characters through his cultural insights.

**Lena**  
Jaya’s emotionally reserved mother, whose distant upbringing in India has caused her to be seen as cursed due to superstition, forming a key part of Jaya's journey to understand her family's past.

**Patrick**  
Jaya’s husband whose strained relationship with her leads to a separation that motivates Jaya’s pivotal journey to India, indirectly fostering their eventual reconciliation.

**Stephen**  
An English teacher in India with whom Amisha forms a meaningful connection, illuminating cultural and gender limitations and contributing to her personal growth.

Sejal Badani

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Storyteller's Secret reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Storyteller's Secret | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Storyteller's Secret and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Storyteller's Secret Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue and Part 1: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Prologue and Part 1: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 2: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 3: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 4: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 5: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 6: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 7: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 8: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 8: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 9: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 9: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 10: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 10: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 11: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 11: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 12: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 12: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 13: “Amisha”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 13: “Amisha” Summary & Analysis

Part 14: “Ravi”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 14: “Ravi” Summary & Analysis

Part 15: “Jaya”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 15: “Jaya” Summary & Analysis

Part 16: “Ravi”

The Storyteller's Secret Part 16: “Ravi” Summary & Analysis

Part 17: “Jaya” and Epilogue

The Storyteller's Secret Part 17: “Jaya” and Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Storyteller's Secret Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Storyteller's Secret Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Storyteller's Secret Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Storyteller's Secret Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Storyteller's Secret Essay Topics

The Storyteller's Secret

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Storyteller's Secret?

Reading Age

Book Details