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Goa
A Daughter's Story, written by Maria Aurora Couto, is a novel about 450 years of Goa's history. The novel describes how the state of Goa came into existence in the initial chapters, the author describes how various dynasties fought over the territory and how the Portuguese came to occupy Goa for 450 years. She sheds light on the religious, cultural and linguistic influences of the Marathas and the Portuguese, who ruled Goa for a time. This book tells the story of Maria Aurora Couto and her childhood in Portuguese - ruled Goa. As the young wife of a civil servant, she lived and taught in various parts of India . The author moved back to Goa in 1960, accompanying her husband, who was the first Administrator of the state of Goa. The novel throws light on the state of affairs post 1960, as Goa tried to assimilate itself with the rest of newly - independent India. On a deeply personal note, the author brings to light the history of religious persecution under the Portuguese and the forced conversions to Christianity . The author discusses the prevalence of the caste system among Goan Christians and questions its modern relevance. As the novel moves to modern Goa, the book discusses the impact of widespread corruption in public life. The author highlights the apathy and vested business interests which have led to the environmental degradation of this paradise. A Daughter's Story is available in a paperback and was published in 2005 by Penguin India. Key
456 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Maria Aurora Couto
4 books9 followersMaria Aurora Couto is an Indian writer, historian and educationalist from Goa. She taught English literature in colleges in India (particularly New Delhi) and has contributed to periodicals in India and the United Kingdom. In 2010, she received the Padma Shri award.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 2, 2018
Good Will vs. Good History
Maria Aurora Couto lives with her husband in a beautiful old mansion in a most beautiful, secluded spot in the Indian state of Goa, formerly the major portion of Portuguese India. Some time ago, I was privileged to visit them. Couto grew up in both India proper and Goa during Portuguese times: her family played its role in the political and cultural events of their times. As an anthropologist with both long interest and fondness for Goa, I looked forward to reading her book as soon as I heard about its publication, though it was not available in the USA. I am aware that many people in India have criticized GOA: A DAUGHTER'S STORY as reflecting the view of a certain class, a certain caste, and a certain (maybe `outdated') culture. I think these criticisms are basically cheap shots. Everybody's work, including mine, reflects their personal background. Why should hers be any different ? I liked Couto's book because it emphasized the synthesis of Hindu and Catholic tradition within Goa's culture, a synthesis that is under strong attack by rightwing communalist forces today. Whether or not that tradition will survive remains to be seen. She also worries, rightly, about the effects of mass tourism on the culture and ecology of her beloved Goa. To meet Maria Aurora Couto and to read her book is to be convinced of her passionate love of her tiny corner of the world, tucked away on India's west coast, a couple hundred miles south of Bombay. Her good will is unchallenged.
However, I must say that as I read through the 400+ page book, I felt many times that it should have had an unbending editor. The author tends to wander down many interesting byways, lose the thread, pick it up, and lose it again. In short, it seems to me the book could have been cut somewhat, but tightened up a lot. Does good will make a good history ? That depends. Though I looked forward to inside details of Goan family life, of personal details of life at the top in politics or culture over the previous 40 years, I did not receive much satisfaction. The author sticks largely to the old script---the history of Goa that has been told by many people before, people who documented their statements, and checked them carefully. There are a number of mistakes that even I, not at all a Goa historian, was startled to meet. For example, on page 197---the explanation of how Daman, a former Portuguese enclave north of Bombay, got its name. (She says from a figure at the Peshwa's court, but the Portuguese had conquered it under that very name in the previous century ! ) Again on page 197-"sipais" is said to mean "spies", but it means "soldiers". Page 201---Sattari is said to mean 70 villages, which is correct, but it's noted as `sath vad' or 60 villages. On page 315, the Portuguese crown is said to pass to Spain in 1602. It was in 1580. Certain information appears several times as if it had not been mentioned before. Very interesting chapters on Goan musical traditions (in which the author's father features) and on little known political events in the 19th century are plagued by meanders into other topics when they could have been brilliant with tighter organization. OK, I only bring these things up to make my point that editing was needed. GOA: A DAUGHTER'S STORY is not meant to be an academic work, but by not including more biographical detail, the author has fallen between two ships. The book is a heartfelt paean of love for Goa, perhaps idealistic, somewhat idealized. For people not familiar with Goa, it may prove confusing and too full of unknown names. It might not provide them with the politically correct views of our times either. For those who know Goa, it could be a welcome addition to their library, a walk down memory lane that itself will be remembered.
Maria Aurora Couto lives with her husband in a beautiful old mansion in a most beautiful, secluded spot in the Indian state of Goa, formerly the major portion of Portuguese India. Some time ago, I was privileged to visit them. Couto grew up in both India proper and Goa during Portuguese times: her family played its role in the political and cultural events of their times. As an anthropologist with both long interest and fondness for Goa, I looked forward to reading her book as soon as I heard about its publication, though it was not available in the USA. I am aware that many people in India have criticized GOA: A DAUGHTER'S STORY as reflecting the view of a certain class, a certain caste, and a certain (maybe `outdated') culture. I think these criticisms are basically cheap shots. Everybody's work, including mine, reflects their personal background. Why should hers be any different ? I liked Couto's book because it emphasized the synthesis of Hindu and Catholic tradition within Goa's culture, a synthesis that is under strong attack by rightwing communalist forces today. Whether or not that tradition will survive remains to be seen. She also worries, rightly, about the effects of mass tourism on the culture and ecology of her beloved Goa. To meet Maria Aurora Couto and to read her book is to be convinced of her passionate love of her tiny corner of the world, tucked away on India's west coast, a couple hundred miles south of Bombay. Her good will is unchallenged.
However, I must say that as I read through the 400+ page book, I felt many times that it should have had an unbending editor. The author tends to wander down many interesting byways, lose the thread, pick it up, and lose it again. In short, it seems to me the book could have been cut somewhat, but tightened up a lot. Does good will make a good history ? That depends. Though I looked forward to inside details of Goan family life, of personal details of life at the top in politics or culture over the previous 40 years, I did not receive much satisfaction. The author sticks largely to the old script---the history of Goa that has been told by many people before, people who documented their statements, and checked them carefully. There are a number of mistakes that even I, not at all a Goa historian, was startled to meet. For example, on page 197---the explanation of how Daman, a former Portuguese enclave north of Bombay, got its name. (She says from a figure at the Peshwa's court, but the Portuguese had conquered it under that very name in the previous century ! ) Again on page 197-"sipais" is said to mean "spies", but it means "soldiers". Page 201---Sattari is said to mean 70 villages, which is correct, but it's noted as `sath vad' or 60 villages. On page 315, the Portuguese crown is said to pass to Spain in 1602. It was in 1580. Certain information appears several times as if it had not been mentioned before. Very interesting chapters on Goan musical traditions (in which the author's father features) and on little known political events in the 19th century are plagued by meanders into other topics when they could have been brilliant with tighter organization. OK, I only bring these things up to make my point that editing was needed. GOA: A DAUGHTER'S STORY is not meant to be an academic work, but by not including more biographical detail, the author has fallen between two ships. The book is a heartfelt paean of love for Goa, perhaps idealistic, somewhat idealized. For people not familiar with Goa, it may prove confusing and too full of unknown names. It might not provide them with the politically correct views of our times either. For those who know Goa, it could be a welcome addition to their library, a walk down memory lane that itself will be remembered.
June 29, 2021
Combining memoir, travelogue and history, this is a beautifully written account of the evolution of Luso-Indian culture in Goa under nearly five centuries of Portuguese rule and how a cohesive Goan identity has taken shape transcending religious divides. Make this your companion read for the next Goa trip, and I guarantee it will give you a deeper sense of Goa and its people beyond the beachside shacks and loud music. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2015
I was both elated and exasperated by this book. "Goa - a daughter's story", is a much researched book into the history, religion, culture and politics of Goa, documenting it from its mythological creation until the present day dilemma faced by the diaspora and the local. I was very impressed by the depth of detail which went into putting the book together, which involved countless conversations, and no doubt weeks, if not months, spent in archives in Goa and Portugal.
However, I was led into reading the book by the way it began, as a personal story through which we see the Authors take on Goa. the start of the book was pleasant enough to read, but I was soon bogged down. The story quickly developed into a historical tome, and I was soon lost in the maze of too many parallel trains of thought, facts and figures, and discontinuities in the narrative.
I had wanted to read a synopsis of my own history and culture, told through a structure story where the train of thought led from one narrative to the other,. Instead, I ended up scanning through and skipping entire pages, as I found them filled with too much detail - sometimes of history, sometimes of the authors own personal stories which I could not connect to. There was also too much speculation to my liking, when the author had no documented explanation for some observation.
I think the author should have produced two books - a concise history book for students of Goa, and a narrative of Goan history for 'everyman'.
In all, a thorough reading on Goa, but I would recommend it for history buffs or for the family of Mrs. Couto (there is a lot of interesting personal history here), and not for an everyday read. Sadly, I came away remembering less than I had hoped, as I was thoroughly lost in the mass of data.
However, I was led into reading the book by the way it began, as a personal story through which we see the Authors take on Goa. the start of the book was pleasant enough to read, but I was soon bogged down. The story quickly developed into a historical tome, and I was soon lost in the maze of too many parallel trains of thought, facts and figures, and discontinuities in the narrative.
I had wanted to read a synopsis of my own history and culture, told through a structure story where the train of thought led from one narrative to the other,. Instead, I ended up scanning through and skipping entire pages, as I found them filled with too much detail - sometimes of history, sometimes of the authors own personal stories which I could not connect to. There was also too much speculation to my liking, when the author had no documented explanation for some observation.
I think the author should have produced two books - a concise history book for students of Goa, and a narrative of Goan history for 'everyman'.
In all, a thorough reading on Goa, but I would recommend it for history buffs or for the family of Mrs. Couto (there is a lot of interesting personal history here), and not for an everyday read. Sadly, I came away remembering less than I had hoped, as I was thoroughly lost in the mass of data.
April 21, 2018
Going by the amount of time I took to finish reading this book, one can guess it's definitely not a page-turner. The premise of the book is nice - the history of Goa & the influence of Portuguese colonization. However, I felt the author tried to put in too many things including her family's stories.
What comes across very strongly is how the locals were converted when the Portuguese came in; the author makes apologies in some parts of the book for it; in others, she says conversion actually helped the locals as it gave them exposure to the European culture.
There are a few interesting snippets that I learned from the book including that slavery existed in Goa at one point of time.
I had to literally drag myself to read this book !
What comes across very strongly is how the locals were converted when the Portuguese came in; the author makes apologies in some parts of the book for it; in others, she says conversion actually helped the locals as it gave them exposure to the European culture.
There are a few interesting snippets that I learned from the book including that slavery existed in Goa at one point of time.
I had to literally drag myself to read this book !
December 19, 2019
A Goan Christian's view of being at the helm of affairs when Goa was integrating with India https://www.anuradhagoyal.com/goa-a-d...
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July 18, 2016What a waste of a beautiful cover! This book is past boring. There's no way anyone would read it unless they needed some specific nuggets of some unspeakably mundane trivia.
May 18, 2015
I read this book because I was born in Goa and I love the place. I noticed there are many books on India’s freedom struggle with the British and this is also well documented in our school history books. But it is not often that one reads much about the 400 plus years of Portuguese rule in Goa. Nor have I ever read about any of the freedom movement in Goa. Well, this book is the answer to it. It is a dense historical account of Goa thru the eyes of the author. The author’s husband Alban was a senior civil servant appointed by Government of India after Goa was liberated. This book goes beyond the stereotypical image of Goa which is a daze of sun, sand , beer and fish. It focuses on cultural heritage of Goa, both from a Christian and Hindu standpoint. It also goes in a lot of detail about colonization by the Portuguese, how it has affected the culture of Goa and how the various groups in Goa adapted to this colonization. The narration of historical accounts is inter weaved with the experiences of the author’s family. This book did get a little boring at times due to the unnecessary details but I certainly learnt much more than what is commonly known of the state.
Read this 400 + page book if you are a history buff and are interested in the state of Goa. If you want a lighter read on Goa you can go for Jerry Pinto’s “ Reflected in Water”.
Read this 400 + page book if you are a history buff and are interested in the state of Goa. If you want a lighter read on Goa you can go for Jerry Pinto’s “ Reflected in Water”.
May 15, 2025
This book changed my entire perspective on Goa. It's written by a Goan woman who's proud of her heritage. The author discusses Goa music, warfare, politics, bravery and courage. For a person who knows Goa only from a tourist point of view the book was daunting at times as it dug deep into the cultural, social and economical history of Goa. Nevertheless, I'm glad I labored on and I know that the next time I go to Goa I will explore the vast mansions, the paddy fields, the temples, the villages and not limit myself to beaches, churches and the nightlife that Goa is so well known for. Had I not read this book I would probably have never realized that there's another side to Goa, complicated and layered, serene on the surface though not without its share of undercurrents.
March 10, 2026
Maria Aurora Couto's Goa: A Daughter's Story was one of the first books I read that gave me personal yet academic and literary insights into Goa pre and post 1961. The writing and research are impeccable. Through her words I marvelled at the grandeur of the life she described in the palatial houses of Salcette, with their colonial connections through the Portuguese language, music, food, and lifestyle, a life in Goa I knew little about. She writes about her return with her husband Alban, an Indian Government bureaucrat when Goa was finally free, their lived experiences of suspicion of their allegiances from both sides. Also, her horror at the atrocities of the Inquisition, these are two important historical events that she brings her own reflections to.
May 5, 2020
I loved this book. I wanted to find out more about Goa because my great, great grandmother was a Goan. This was exactly what I was looking for & I love the authors writing, she is so eloquent. She writes better in English than everyone I know who is English.
I feel like now I understand my ancestress more, so thank you.
I feel like now I understand my ancestress more, so thank you.
didnotfinish
September 29, 2024Just, no.
I wanted to read a good non-fiction book about this small sleepy Portuguese town of a state called Goa, but instead I get a tediously written book that manages to make you never want to read about Goa. I wish I had picked up a better book from Singbal's Bookstore.
I wanted to read a good non-fiction book about this small sleepy Portuguese town of a state called Goa, but instead I get a tediously written book that manages to make you never want to read about Goa. I wish I had picked up a better book from Singbal's Bookstore.
November 26, 2023
Revela uma sociedade muito singular e muito rica na sua expressão cultural e política, que eu desconhecia, e protagonizada por um conjunto de goeses cidadãos de mundo é tão goeses.
E um livro tantas vezes fascinante por revelar também o território,aliás e por aí que começa; a relação entre comunidades hindu e católica e tantas vezes recorrendo a vida pessoal e da família da autora.
Não é um livro académico, e mais uma visão construída a partir das vivências da autora, embora com uma preocupação de investigação histórica e rigor.
Julgo que faltou alguma capacidade síntese pois há uma repetição de certas análises feitas e certo a partir de eventos distintos, mas que retiram fluidez a leitura.
E um livro tantas vezes fascinante por revelar também o território,aliás e por aí que começa; a relação entre comunidades hindu e católica e tantas vezes recorrendo a vida pessoal e da família da autora.
Não é um livro académico, e mais uma visão construída a partir das vivências da autora, embora com uma preocupação de investigação histórica e rigor.
Julgo que faltou alguma capacidade síntese pois há uma repetição de certas análises feitas e certo a partir de eventos distintos, mas que retiram fluidez a leitura.
November 27, 2013
The full title is "Goa: A Daughter's Story"
Well-researched and beautifully written. I liked the personal tone of the book and the anecdotes. It's a history and impressions of Goa seen through the eyes of the author. This makes it unlike a boring history book, and makes it much more interesting to read.
Well-researched and beautifully written. I liked the personal tone of the book and the anecdotes. It's a history and impressions of Goa seen through the eyes of the author. This makes it unlike a boring history book, and makes it much more interesting to read.
December 3, 2020
Read for a literature course looking at community identity and post-colonial literature.
A fantastic piece of writing intersecting 'formal' and personal histories to form a biographical picture of Goa that is intimately tied to the author's memories of her father. A pleasure to read for those who want to get a comprehensive look at Goa that goes way beyond today's tourist brochures.
A fantastic piece of writing intersecting 'formal' and personal histories to form a biographical picture of Goa that is intimately tied to the author's memories of her father. A pleasure to read for those who want to get a comprehensive look at Goa that goes way beyond today's tourist brochures.
August 28, 2007
A good book that tells you a lot about Goa's history before 1961, but would have been better if it also had a more detailed mention of Goa after 1961, esp in terms of popular people and places. Still, its a must to go through this book for the love of GOA.
July 15, 2018
Insightful - delicately threading together the author’s personal story with the state’s sprawling colonial past. The narrative however, is loose and long-winded while the prose, too gratuitous for my liking.
November 25, 2012
Brilliant stories from Goa! A people's history of Goa.
January 25, 2017
It is a very special book to me. It leads me back to Goa and forward. It is written not merely with the knowledge of someone who knows Goa and Portugal, but love both.
September 13, 2018
An intensely researched book. The insight offered is immensely strong.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews