Description

Book Synopsis

'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

'Warm and witty' Sunday Times

'The gifted Syal does it again' Indpendent

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET THE LIFE YOU CAN'T HAVE?

Shyama, aged forty-eight, has fallen for a younger man. They want a child together.

Meanwhile, in a rural village in India, young Mala, trapped in an oppressive marriage, dreams of escape.

When Shyama and Mala meet, they help each other realise their dreams. But will fate guarantee them both happiness?...

Brimming with warmth, wit and indignation, Meera Syal immerses us in a devastating story of friendship, family and the lengths we will go to have a perfect life. THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN MOTHERS is her long-awaited third novel and shows Meera Syal at the height of her literary powers


'Brilliant. It is destined to be a bestseller.' - ESTHER FREUD



Trade Review
Moving and incredibly funny at the same time. A great achievement. * RICHARD E. GRANT *
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 *
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 *
A delicately written, profound study of the female condition in the rich world and the poor. The gifted Syal does it again. * Independent *
Surely the makings of a hit ... This book is bound to delight many readers, who will embrace Syal's well-chosen subject, her warm and witty voice and her passionate involvement with the world. * Sunday Times *
Wonderfully candid .. Syal’s main achievement with this rumbustious, confrontational and ultimately heartbreaking book has been to turn the standard British-Asian displacement narrative on its head * Guardian *
Witty and moving * Fabulous Magazine *
Sharp comedy * A Marie-Claire magazine Must-Read *
Great read * A Woman and Home Great Read *
Sprawling, humorous, sensitive * Metro *
For sheer scope and ambition Syal makes Dickens and Tolstoy seem single minded. She pulls it off with panache. * Independent *
Warm, witty, exotic. This wise, indignant novel goes many miles beyond your average celebrity effusion. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *
Deeply impressive .. Syal has done a beautiful job on the very modern problems faced by women everywhere, and the compromises they make and the inevitability of ageing. * Sunday Express *
Deeply impressive .. Syal has done a beautiful job on the very modern problems faced by women everywhere, and the compromises they make and the inevitability of ageing. * Sunday Express *
Syal's main achievement with this rumbustious, confrontational and heartbreaking book has been to turn the stand British-Asian displacement narrative on its head. -- Alfred Hickling * Guardian *
A frank and beautifully written tale of friendship and motherhood. * Candis Magazine *
Funny, wise, warm, confidently straddling the contrasting cultures of Britain and India and acutely perceptive about both. * Daily Mail *

The House of Hidden Mothers

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 2 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Meera Syal

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The House of Hidden Mothers by Meera Syal

      Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK
      Publication Date: 10/03/2016
      ISBN13: 9781862300538, 978-1862300538
      ISBN10: 1862300534

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      '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

      'Warm and witty' Sunday Times

      'The gifted Syal does it again' Indpendent

      HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET THE LIFE YOU CAN'T HAVE?

      Shyama, aged forty-eight, has fallen for a younger man. They want a child together.

      Meanwhile, in a rural village in India, young Mala, trapped in an oppressive marriage, dreams of escape.

      When Shyama and Mala meet, they help each other realise their dreams. But will fate guarantee them both happiness?...

      Brimming with warmth, wit and indignation, Meera Syal immerses us in a devastating story of friendship, family and the lengths we will go to have a perfect life. THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN MOTHERS is her long-awaited third novel and shows Meera Syal at the height of her literary powers


      'Brilliant. It is destined to be a bestseller.' - ESTHER FREUD



      Trade Review
      Moving and incredibly funny at the same time. A great achievement. * RICHARD E. GRANT *
      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 *
      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 *
      A delicately written, profound study of the female condition in the rich world and the poor. The gifted Syal does it again. * Independent *
      Surely the makings of a hit ... This book is bound to delight many readers, who will embrace Syal's well-chosen subject, her warm and witty voice and her passionate involvement with the world. * Sunday Times *
      Wonderfully candid .. Syal’s main achievement with this rumbustious, confrontational and ultimately heartbreaking book has been to turn the standard British-Asian displacement narrative on its head * Guardian *
      Witty and moving * Fabulous Magazine *
      Sharp comedy * A Marie-Claire magazine Must-Read *
      Great read * A Woman and Home Great Read *
      Sprawling, humorous, sensitive * Metro *
      For sheer scope and ambition Syal makes Dickens and Tolstoy seem single minded. She pulls it off with panache. * Independent *
      Warm, witty, exotic. This wise, indignant novel goes many miles beyond your average celebrity effusion. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *
      Deeply impressive .. Syal has done a beautiful job on the very modern problems faced by women everywhere, and the compromises they make and the inevitability of ageing. * Sunday Express *
      Deeply impressive .. Syal has done a beautiful job on the very modern problems faced by women everywhere, and the compromises they make and the inevitability of ageing. * Sunday Express *
      Syal's main achievement with this rumbustious, confrontational and heartbreaking book has been to turn the stand British-Asian displacement narrative on its head. -- Alfred Hickling * Guardian *
      A frank and beautifully written tale of friendship and motherhood. * Candis Magazine *
      Funny, wise, warm, confidently straddling the contrasting cultures of Britain and India and acutely perceptive about both. * Daily Mail *

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