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True Treasure
They come from different places, but their dreams are the same — to be seen, heard, and accepted. True Treasure is a story of finding strength when the world says you’re not enough.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 28, 2025
True Treasure by Mrs. Sudha Vishwanath, is indeed a book to be read and cherished. The story flows seamlessly, neatly segmented, describing the lives of the four protagonists.
They belong to different places, but the author has navigated meticulously through their lives and neatly brought them under one roof at some point of time.
The emotions of Mrityunjay as he tried to transition himself to Shalaka are handled with very good care. His mother’s agony has been described so well that one can feel the hurt.
Special mention has to be made about the character portrayal of each and every character mentioned in the book. It brings alive each and every character, for instance, Suman, with a petite figure and brown eyes, or Trishna, little dark skin, tall, with a dimpled smile.
I specifically like the way the author has spoken about the apprehensions of the three girls when they had to share the food they made with the fourth tenant. It speaks volume about the tailored life they lead. Similar elaborated scenes add the right flavour to the story.
The negative characters too are portrayed using the right words, such that it triggers the anger of the reader towards that character, for instance Mr. Moorthy, who is hell bent on creating problems for Shalaka, And Kedar, the menacing substitute manager at Trishna’s office.
The suspense hung heavily in the air for the declaration of Suman’s results for selection to the boutique, more so because the chapter was soon after a rejection.
What is the True Treasure, the revelation is indeed dramatic and well described.
To savour each and every chapter of this book, I recommend everyone to pick a copy and read.
They belong to different places, but the author has navigated meticulously through their lives and neatly brought them under one roof at some point of time.
The emotions of Mrityunjay as he tried to transition himself to Shalaka are handled with very good care. His mother’s agony has been described so well that one can feel the hurt.
Special mention has to be made about the character portrayal of each and every character mentioned in the book. It brings alive each and every character, for instance, Suman, with a petite figure and brown eyes, or Trishna, little dark skin, tall, with a dimpled smile.
I specifically like the way the author has spoken about the apprehensions of the three girls when they had to share the food they made with the fourth tenant. It speaks volume about the tailored life they lead. Similar elaborated scenes add the right flavour to the story.
The negative characters too are portrayed using the right words, such that it triggers the anger of the reader towards that character, for instance Mr. Moorthy, who is hell bent on creating problems for Shalaka, And Kedar, the menacing substitute manager at Trishna’s office.
The suspense hung heavily in the air for the declaration of Suman’s results for selection to the boutique, more so because the chapter was soon after a rejection.
What is the True Treasure, the revelation is indeed dramatic and well described.
To savour each and every chapter of this book, I recommend everyone to pick a copy and read.
October 22, 2025
‘True Treasure’ by Sudha Vishwanath is a moving and deeply emotional tale about four women and the trials they endure. It is a coming-of-age story filled with transformation, rebellion, perseverance, and the enduring bond of sisterhood.
Ratna, Trishna, Suman, and Shalaka come from very different worlds, yet each must fight her own battles while striving to carve out an identity and a place of belonging. The challenges they face, be it patriarchy, internalized misogyny, inequality, or identity crises, are all explored with remarkable sensitivity and empathy.
The four girls find each other and support each other in ways their families never could. At its heart, True Treasure reminds us that families are not always the ones we are born into, but often the ones we form along the way. The ending is tender and profoundly moving; it brought tears to my eyes.
Shalaka’s story, in particular, left a lasting impact on me. Born as Mritunjay into an affluent family, she longs to reclaim her identity as a woman but is treated as an abomination. Only her mother stands by her side, unwavering in love and support, helping her become who she truly is. The mothers in Sudha’s universe are portrayed as pillars of strength and courage, willing to risk everything they hold dear for the happiness and freedom of their children.
Sudha’s writing is powerful, poignant, and honest. She reminds us of what truly matters in life: friendship, loyalty, determination, and the bonds that may not be of blood but are forged from something far deeper and purer. The characters linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.
Ratna, Trishna, Suman, and Shalaka come from very different worlds, yet each must fight her own battles while striving to carve out an identity and a place of belonging. The challenges they face, be it patriarchy, internalized misogyny, inequality, or identity crises, are all explored with remarkable sensitivity and empathy.
The four girls find each other and support each other in ways their families never could. At its heart, True Treasure reminds us that families are not always the ones we are born into, but often the ones we form along the way. The ending is tender and profoundly moving; it brought tears to my eyes.
Shalaka’s story, in particular, left a lasting impact on me. Born as Mritunjay into an affluent family, she longs to reclaim her identity as a woman but is treated as an abomination. Only her mother stands by her side, unwavering in love and support, helping her become who she truly is. The mothers in Sudha’s universe are portrayed as pillars of strength and courage, willing to risk everything they hold dear for the happiness and freedom of their children.
Sudha’s writing is powerful, poignant, and honest. She reminds us of what truly matters in life: friendship, loyalty, determination, and the bonds that may not be of blood but are forged from something far deeper and purer. The characters linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.
August 26, 2025
True Treasure by Sudha Vishwanath
Genre: Slice of Life
Publisher: Room 9 Publications
Rating: 4/5
The debut novel by Sudha Vishwanath follows the lives of three girls, Trishna, Suman, and Ratna, who move to Mumbai from their villages. The fourth person whose life gets interlinked with the other three is that of Shalaka.
The author has sensitively portrayed the transformation of a transgender person and the atrocities they face, beginning with their family itself. Suman Vishwanath has not only projected the hardships, ridicule and misunderstandings faced by the transgender community, but also brought out the needs and emotions of these individuals.
The story ends on a positive note and this helps to establish hope that more and more people will become sensitive towards each other as we move towards an inclusive society.
Through the use of simple language and by keeping the plot simple, a very unique theme has been presented, urging people to give it due thought.
The dreams and aspirations of simple folk from small towns and villages are many times cruelly, crushed by people in Cosmopolitan cities as they tend to take advantage of them.
In case you like to read stories on social themes and those that portray strong characters, you will definitely enjoy this.
Genre: Slice of Life
Publisher: Room 9 Publications
Rating: 4/5
The debut novel by Sudha Vishwanath follows the lives of three girls, Trishna, Suman, and Ratna, who move to Mumbai from their villages. The fourth person whose life gets interlinked with the other three is that of Shalaka.
The author has sensitively portrayed the transformation of a transgender person and the atrocities they face, beginning with their family itself. Suman Vishwanath has not only projected the hardships, ridicule and misunderstandings faced by the transgender community, but also brought out the needs and emotions of these individuals.
The story ends on a positive note and this helps to establish hope that more and more people will become sensitive towards each other as we move towards an inclusive society.
Through the use of simple language and by keeping the plot simple, a very unique theme has been presented, urging people to give it due thought.
The dreams and aspirations of simple folk from small towns and villages are many times cruelly, crushed by people in Cosmopolitan cities as they tend to take advantage of them.
In case you like to read stories on social themes and those that portray strong characters, you will definitely enjoy this.
September 1, 2025
A touching and heartwarming tale of 4 young women who fight against all the odds stacked against them—poverty, patriarchy and the daily struggle to survive in a big city. The subject of gender dysphoria is handled sensitively, and the apathy of a society that doesn’t understand this, or doesn’t want to, has been described well.
It is a feminist theme, about women fighting against all adversity. The men don’t come off well in this . Almost all of them are selfish, mean and antagonistic, barring one. The 4 protagonists are really nice people, and there is no friction among them despite all of them living cramped in a small, dilapidated room, working hard all day and then sharing the domestic chores in addition….is that possible? Too perfect? Hmmm….
I enjoyed the story. It warmed the cockles of my heart. It teaches us to work hard sincerely and believe in oneself, and success will come one day. It is a story of friendship and hope—how good friends are more valuable than gold.
A fine debut novella from the author, who is well known for her short stories.
It is a feminist theme, about women fighting against all adversity. The men don’t come off well in this . Almost all of them are selfish, mean and antagonistic, barring one. The 4 protagonists are really nice people, and there is no friction among them despite all of them living cramped in a small, dilapidated room, working hard all day and then sharing the domestic chores in addition….is that possible? Too perfect? Hmmm….
I enjoyed the story. It warmed the cockles of my heart. It teaches us to work hard sincerely and believe in oneself, and success will come one day. It is a story of friendship and hope—how good friends are more valuable than gold.
A fine debut novella from the author, who is well known for her short stories.
August 28, 2025
True Treasure by Sudha Vishwanath is a tale of friendship and resilience. The book draws us into the lives of the Ratna, Suman, Trishna and Shalaka. Right from their birth, to the hardships and travails they endure, their resilience in facing dire situations and the endearing bond of friendship shared by these characters. The reader gets pulled into the world of these 4 girls who come to Mumbai in search of their dreams. I have read the author's short stories, she is a prolific writer and was waiting for her novel. True Treasure is a heartwarming read.
September 2, 2025
Some stories don’t just stay on the page, they stay with you. True Treasure is one such book. It follows Ratna, Suman, Trishna, and Mrityunjay (who later becomes Shalaka), each fighting their own battles but bound by friendship and the search for acceptance.
The writing is simple yet powerful, and the emotions are real. Shalaka’s journey especially touched me, written with such dignity and heart.
Reading this left me thoughtful, at times heavy, and often hopeful. It’s a story of resilience, courage, and the quiet strength that comes from standing together. Truly a treasure of a debut.
The writing is simple yet powerful, and the emotions are real. Shalaka’s journey especially touched me, written with such dignity and heart.
Reading this left me thoughtful, at times heavy, and often hopeful. It’s a story of resilience, courage, and the quiet strength that comes from standing together. Truly a treasure of a debut.
August 26, 2025
An extremely well written book, touching on various aspects like societal norms, the restrictions put on a girl child. The most delicate topic of gender dysphoria has been dealt with prudently.
The character portrayal, the names given to all the characters are very apt.
The friendship of the four main characters touches the heart. Once we start reading,it is difficult to put down this book without completing. It is that engaging. A must read.
The character portrayal, the names given to all the characters are very apt.
The friendship of the four main characters touches the heart. Once we start reading,it is difficult to put down this book without completing. It is that engaging. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews