The Orphan Keeper

by Camron Wright

Based on a remarkable true storySeven-year-old Chellamuthu's life--and his destiny--is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in Southern India and sold to the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children. His family is desperate to find him, and Chellamuthu anxiously tells the Indian orphanage that he is not an orphan, he has a mother who loves him. But he is told not to worry, he will soon be adopted by a loving family in America.Chellamuthu is suddenly surrounded by a foreign land and a foreign language. He can't tell people that he already has a family and becomes consumed by a single, impossible How do I get home? But after more than a decade, home becomes a much more complicated idea as the Indian boy eventually sheds his past and receives a new Taj Khyber Rowland.It isn't until Taj meets an Indian family who helps him rediscover his roots, as well as marrying Priya, his wife, who helps him unveil the secrets of his past, that he begins to discover the truth he has all but forgotten. Taj is determined to return to India and begin the quest to find his birth family. But is it too late? Is it possible that his birth mother is still looking for him? And which family does he belong to now?From the best-selling author of The Rent Collector, this is a deeply moving and gripping journey about discovering one's self and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us forever.

Genres: Book Club, Fiction, Historical Fiction, India, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Adult

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2016

About the author

Camron Wright was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has a master’s degree in Writing and Public Relations from Westminster College.

He has owned several successful retail stores in addition to working with his wife in the fashion industry, designing for the McCall Pattern Company in New York.

Camron began writing to get out of attending MBA school at the time, and it proved the better decision. His first book, Letters for Emily, was a Readers Choice Award winner, as well as a selection of the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. Letters for Emily has been published in North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Korea, the Netherlands, and China.

His next book, The Rent Collector, won Best Novel of the Year from the Whitney Awards and was a nominee for the prestigious International DUBLIN Literary Award. The Orphan Keeper won Book of the Year, Gold accolades in Multicultural Fiction from Foreword Reviews, and was winner of Best General Fiction from the Whitney Awards. His newest book, In Times of Rain and War releases in early 2021.

Camron lives with his wife, Alicyn, just south of Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. He is the proud father of four children, all girls but three.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was reading this book I couldn’t help but wonder how many adopted children really were not orphans, but may have been kidnapped like Taj was before he was adopted by a family in the US. This “novel “ based on a true story also begs the question - are these children many times coming from poor families better off because they escaped a life of poverty and hunger - stealing fruit, rummaging through scraps of food in the garbage? Easy to say yes . Yet while living a comfortable life, they suffer the tremendous loss of family, of belonging, of knowing who they are. I don’t know how to answer that, but it is definitely reflected on in this story. It reminds me of the movie “Lion” based on the book, A Long Way Home, which I definitely want to read since I loved the movie so much. Though, Saroo in that story is lost, not kidnapped, the loss of their families and their pasts and their journey home is similar.

Eight year old, Chellamuthu, later named Taj by his American adopted parents, is abducted, sold to an orphanage. Years pass and while Taj is safe and loved by his American family, something is not right with him. He feels a sense of loss, not sure who he is . When studying in London and living with an Indian family, he remembers some things about his past and he develops a more than keen interest in finding out where he was from, in finding his family . And so the journey to his past begins. Along the way finding an Indian woman he loves. This is a heartbreaking story at times, as young Chellamuthu tries to figure out why he is at the orphanage, is picked on in school in America and really just wants that sense of belonging. Yet this journey of the heart and soul is joyful as well. Taj perhaps answers the question related to his own abduction when he says to his wife , " I was torn away from my family as a boy. But if it weren't for being kidnapped, I'd be living right now in a village in India, speaking Tamil. I wouldn't be married to you. We wouldn't have our incredible girls." A solid 4 stars !

I received an advanced copy of this book from Shadow Mountain through Edelweiss. Paperback published 10/3/17.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I cried. Can't I read a book without crying! It was a good cry at the end though.

Chellamuthu (Taj Khyber Rowland) was kidnapped as a child in India, taken to the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children and sold to people in America.

The story starts out telling of Chellamuthu's life in India. The life he led with his family, the daily things he did, stealing and what not. He had a brother and a very kind mother, a father that was a drinker. He had friends. But one day when he was out with his father, he was taken. He ended up in the orphanage and we get to hear this story while he was there. He did escape once but came back with medicine for a sick child and I thought that was so brave of him. He made friends with other children in the orphanage and was so very sad to leave everyone and knowing he had a family out there.

Chellamuthu was adopted/purchased by a loving family that had no idea the wasn't really an orphan until he was a little older. He had to learn to speak English and everything really. Linda and Fred Rowland were wonderful parents and did everything they could for all of their children. In the author's note at the end, he tells some things that had to get edited out of the book and it was interesting to learn those things as well.

Chellamuthu's name was changed to Taj Khyber Rowland. He did really good in school and things with his mom's help. He was in wrestling and when he told his mom that he wanted to send the picture to his family in India, they realized he wasn't an orphan. It's really sad.



When Taj gets older he meets a guy named Daniel who has a sister who would be Taj's future wife. Her name is Priya and it gave me chills because her father had some things to do with Taj's life at the orphanage. They eventually made their way back to India. They were married and made a home there.



Taj did get his happy ending. He found his parents and brother again. This is where I cried because, come on!

Eventually, Linda and Fred came to India to meet Taj's real mom and it was so bittersweet. Her name is Arayi by the way.



I really liked this book more than I thought I would. It's a great story learning about what children are going through to this day. I think the author, Camron Wright did a great job in telling Taj's story.

You can read more about the story at: www.TheOrphanKeeper.com

*I would like to thank Smith Publicity for a print copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chellamuthu has been through much in his eight years. His family poor, he is made to do things he would not normally do by a group of older boys, boys that tended to be the bullies of the small town where he lived in.He will be kidnapped off the street, taken to an orphanage, and eventually adopted into an American family. He would eventually forget his early years until he starts getting glimmers of his past when he attend school in England and boards with an Indian family.

Stories based on true events are always for me more significant. I enjoyed reading about his time in the orphanage which was run by a misguided man with good intentions. Chella will show his caring ways early on, trying to save another young orphan, but always missing his home, his real family. In America, his name will be changed to Raj, easier to pronounce, his new family hoping it will allow him to fit in at school. A very endearing story, startling loss, his new parents loving,, adopting many from different cultures when they can not have children of their own. He meets many people who will reach out to him with their willingness to help. At times the dialogue was too emotive, a bit overwritten but overall this was a wonderful story about a young man and his journey to recover his past. I enjoyed learning a little more about the Tamil Indian culture as well.
Author's note is included.

ARC from publisher.

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable story! My emotions were thrown all over the place while reading this book. I found it to be a very interesting story where I learned a lot about Indian culture and traditions, however I am saddened to think that this is actually based on a true story. I felt so much hope throughout the book - hope that things would "turn out" in the end. The entire premise of the story is such a tragic and upsetting situation that I had to take mini-breaks while reading to clear my mind. I found I did lose a little interest near the middle of the book while Taj was away at school, however, this was just a small section and my interest picked back up quickly.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erode, India, 1978. Mischievous, disheveled, seven year old Chellamuthu is living in abject poverty with his family. The Gounder family lives in a house built of poles, mud and thatch. Chellamuthu is a spirited child who is always getting into trouble and mixing with the wrong crowd. While his mother lovingly encourages him to be honest, his quick tempered father teaches him a lesson. Using a hot poker, he burns the tops of his son's feet.

Told to wait outside a building by his father, Chellamuthu is lured to a van with a promise of mangoes. He is snatched, thrown into a van which already contains babies, toddlers , a very sick little girl. and is whisked away to The Lincoln Home For Homeless Children. Insisting that he has a family and is not an orphan is of no consequence. He is told that his father has sold him. Eli Manickam, the Commissioner of Children's Services, is convinced that he is providing a valuable service by removing children from squalid living conditions and giving them food, warm clothing and clean living conditions while they await adoption. Chellamuthu's claim of having a family falls on deaf ears.

Adopted by a loving couple in America, Fred and Linda Rowland, Chellamuthu (now Taj) becomes acclimated to his new parents, siblings and American way of life .Mastering English, he convinces his parents that he has a family in India and was kidnapped. All attempts to find his family are in vain. No help is provided by the orphanage staff. Taj's journey to find out who he is kicks into high gear while studying abroad in London.

"The Orphan Keeper" by Camron Wright recounts Taj Rowland's relentless quest to find his India family. Taj's memories have long been repressed. He seems to be looking for a needle in a haystack. While he looks from America, unbeknowst to him, his Indian family has searched for him. Camron Wright has delivered a frustrating, heartwrenching true journey to discover Taj's ancestry. An excellent, thought provoking book.

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Orphan Keeper".

[Stephanie Anze · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If a child is kidnapped from hell and carried to heaven, should we condemn the kidnapper?"

Chellamuthu was a mischievous seven-year-old running free in Erode, the village where his humble home was located. Though poor and struggling, he had a loving family. That is until he was kidnapped and sold to the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children, a Christian orphanage. Any atempt to communicate the fact that he was not an orphan fell on deaf ears. Eventually Chellamuthu is adopted by Fred and Linda Rowland, an American couple. It takes a few months for Chellamuthu to learn enough english to alert his adoptive parents about his family in India. Thus begins a difficult journey of discovery.

This novel lived on my nightstand for close to a month. It had nothing to do with the content, just too many distractions. Based on a real life story this book was thoughtful, profound and ultimately inspiring. While waiting for his father, Chellamuthu is lured into a van that takes off quickly and he is not alone. He arrives at the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children scared and confused. The staff insist he belongs there but Chellamuthu is no orphan. No amount of insisting gets Chellamuthu closer to his family. Rather he finds his way to the United States where he eventually becomes Taj Rowland. Having supressed his memories, Taj is haunted by his past getting small recollections that make no sense to him. Dealing with belonging and identity, the novel asks the question: how do we find our true home? Taj struggles as his past and present act as two separate entities rather than a complete image. There is only one way to learn who he truly is: he has to find his birth family. Heartbreaking, moving and sad, this novel was a compelling read.

Taj was taken in 1978, at the age of seven. He lived the reminder of his childhood in Utah. As an adult, he was able to go back to India. The way in which he was able to locate his family is nothing short of amazing (in this regard his story is similar to that of Saroo Brierly). Aided only by his memory and a series of coincidences, he achieved what some considered impossible. While this work is written as fiction, Wright stayed as true to the story as possible. Sadly, Taj is only one of thousands of cases of children taken from their families. While getting an accurate number is difficult, its estimated that 40,000 children are taken from India every year for a variety of reasons, including false adoptions. I am glad Wright helped bring this story to the forefront and hope that many more children victim to this situations find closure.

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. it's premise intrigued me; and,
2. December 2025 is my "W, X, Y, and Z Authors" Month!

Praises:
1. in 1978, 7-year-old Chellamuthu of Erode, India, is kidnapped and sold to an orphanage while his family searches for him in vain.
This biographical fiction strongly reminded me of the story Lion: A Long Way Home (also published under another title A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley). Both stories feature a very young Indian boy involuntarily leaving his home to be adopted by kind white foreigners (Americans for Chellamuthu; Australians for Saroo), eventually finding their ways back, as adults, to their original families in India; and,
2. this story is another stark reminder for me of India's underlying corruption and its treatment of its most vulnerable children.

Overall Thoughts:
Truth is certainly stranger than fiction!

Author Camron Wright takes the real lives of the downtrodden (see also his book titled The Rent Collector - another story that moved me) and writes compelling narratives that are heart-wrenching, yet hopeful.

[Karen R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a remarkable one and based on true events. It follows the life of Chellamuthu, an Indian boy who’s life changes in an instant when kidnapped at the age of 7, sent to an orphanage and sold to a couple in America who were told the boy was an orphan. The boy’s adoptive parents eventually find out he has a family back in India once Chellamuthu can speak enough English to tell them months later, but their attempts to track down his family prove futile. They rename Chellamuthu Taj and they couldn’t have been more nurturing or supportive as they raise their bright and determined boy.

Taj begins his journey to healing and self-discovery early in life and it plays out more than 10 years. His fortitude is no more prominent than in his never-waning resolve to go back to India and find his family, even as memories continue to fade.

I really enjoyed learning about the traditions and customs of the Indian culture that author Camron Wright scatters through the book and also the positive effects of others’ kindness on Taj’s life which were inspirational and so well written. The lesson learned – Don’t Give Up.

This story grabbed me from the start and I was sad when the book ended. A well-deserved 5 stars in my opinion and deserves a place on a short-list.

[may ➹ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally finished. :')

No full review because this was something I had to read for school, but basically:

- The writing style SUCKS. "She was more adorable than a kindergarten costume party." --> What even??
- The pacing was also horrible. I mean, it's fine when the chapters are marked with "10 years later" or something but like?? One minute Priya and Taj had just met and then it's suddenly 2 YEARS LATER??
- SO. LONG. AND. BORING. Like I get that you want to tell the whole story but omg it draggggggged.
- The story was very powerful but I was honestly so bored and so done.

This is why I don't read historical fiction!!!!

[Deah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled between two and three stars for this one. There were some writing-style issues that took me out of the storytelling. The lengthy beginning, while a beautiful description of India, was frustrating to me because at the halfway point Chellamuthu was still in India and I was ready to find out about the second part of his life. Then there's a ten year gap- but actually I really wanted to know what his life was like in that ten year gap (specifically his parents and his relationship to them). Then, as an adult (or rather, a young adult, as really he was only in his early- to mid-twenties in the ending parts) he struck me as very self-centered and self-serving.
If he was a female character, she'd be critiqued as narcissistic, abrasive, high maintenance, etc, but as a male character he is portrayed as being in charge of his own destiny, resilient, forward moving, etc.
Also, lines such as "For good or bad, when God had baked LInda, he doubled measured her compassion" made me roll my eyes.

That being said, the book did raise some interesting questions in my mind. It would seem that by being kidnapped, sold to an orphanage, and raised in America, he was able to live a "better" life- clean, clothed, fed, educated, and now an owner of several successful businesses. Does that justify the actions of the orphanage owners? Also I'm interested in the concept of love at first sight. It seems pretty unreasonable and yet some people swear by it. Finally, the continued prevalence of and adherence to the caste system in India- a slightly ironic twist to Taj's story.

The second half of the book kept my attention more than the first,and even the things I didn't like about the story at least gave me pause for thought, instead of just "bleh", so I suppose I'll up it to 3 stars (but really 2.5).

[Jenny's · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wonder where the reality ends the fiction begins with Camron Wrights books. Based on true life events this story as so many other stories prove again that truth is stranger than fiction.

So what's special about this book? The Orphan Keeper is rich in detail and weighted in the souls deepest utterances. We see bits of ourselves in many of the characters. Which is why we can so deliberately come to love and care for these people so easily and earnestly. It is a beautiful symphony in humanity. A search for self, for family, some of our deepest questions are born in story, in hearts, and in tears, and we are witnesses to its beauty. At the end there is nothing you want more than to share it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very moving book about a boy torn from his family in India, labeled an orphan and adopted in the US. There are very heartbreaking moments, along with a boy that never gave up on his story. It is very well written, and does a great job portraying images to see it in your mind. Great book!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real reason I wanted to read this book so badly is that I stumbled upon LION, a movie based on the true story of a boy in India who finds himself far from home then further from home via adoption, and his quest to find his Indian family. I was fascinated and mesmerized by his account.

The truth about children in India who become homeless or sold is horrific and not for the faint of heart. In fact, I just finished another book (I forgot which one) of a girl raised to be a prostitute and her experiences in the sex trade, held hostage for years. The boy in ORPHAN KEEPER has a unique story in that he is kidnapped from a loving home and sold to an orphanage to be adopted out. He is treated well and ends up in a loving home in Utah where his new parents have no idea he is not an orphan. Because of the language barrier, the newly named Taj is incapable of communicating this until much later.

What I learned from the previous books I read about children in India, particularly when they don't even know the town they are from, is that most children die in the streets or in the sex trade. Which is why I am befuddled why he was targeted to be kidnapped with so many homeless children. The true story of how he was kidnapped is probably not well remembered and the recounting is postulated. But finding his way back home would take nothing short of many miracles to reunite himself with the family he forgets for a time in order to focus on going on in this new culture. In fact, I watched a short review of his story with the author of the book so I know some events were postulated, some were skipped, while others were simplified.

The story of Taj's memories returning was simplified for the sake of the flow of the book. In fact, Taj serves a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in England and is reintroduced to the foods and smells he knew so well as a child which stimulates brief snippets of memory. This is introduced differently but with a great deal of clever artistic license.

Great story. Recommend book for book clubs.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was similar to another nonfiction book I've recently read. That book was called, A Long Way Home. It was hard not to compare the stories. The first one was well written and I liked the people and how they were portrayed. I was completely pulled in to that story.

However, this book was not that, .......but I still liked this. The ending is what I anticipated the most. I think I needed Taj's younger self to be more developed. I was told what happened but I wasn't feeling it. So here he had distance and anger towards his new family, which also kept me at a distance. I wasn't pulled in. There were some dark shadows that begged for light. But still 3 stars.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Orphan Keeper is a novel that is based on the true story of Chellamuthu Gounder. As child Chellamuthu lived in a village in southern India. When he was about 7 years old, he was kidnapped and sold to an orphanage. From there, he was adopted by an American family. Unable to speak English, he could not tell them that he already had a family in India.

When he learned English and could finally tell his story, his American family tried unsuccessfully to find out what had happened. As the years passed, he assimilated to American culture and the memories of his childhood faded. But he always felt restless. As a young man, he became determined to find out the truth about his past.

This novel is a story of family, belonging, and of resilience and perseverance as a young man searches for purpose and meaning in his life.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this story is amazing but the writing is disjointed, lacks real flow and depth. I felt like I was bouncing around and not getting a real good idea of who Taj was. It was like the author just wanted to finish the story and I wanted it to be over because the writing was terrible. He spent so much time with him in India and no time in America. Not great from the writing front.

[Please Pass the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orphan Keeper is a wonderful story about a young boy who is sold as an orphan, and then adopted into a well meaning and devoted family. The plot thickens quickly, as little Chellamuthu/Taj isn't actually an orphan, and has a biological family that he's torn away from. Camron Wright has written, really, two books here—the first half about Taj as a child, the second as an adult, in search of his "real" family. It's the latter half of The Orphan Keeper that was the most engaging, as the voice becomes stronger and the storyline gains momentum. I think the construction could have been organized a bit better, but overall, this is a tightly written, heartwarming (and breaking!) book that I had a great deal of pleasure reading.

I'd like to thank Net Galley and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which this certainly is.

[Emily Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Orphan Keeper offers the reader a fascinating story based on real life events, yet falls short in its execution. The source material possesses so much promise. A young Indian boy is kidnapped, sold to a Christian orphanage, and adopted by a couple from the United States. I was excited to read such an intriguing story, but was sorely disappointed by the clumsy writing.

At its core, The Orphan Keeper is a journey toward identity and self discovery. However, the writer never dives deeply into the relationships or introspection experienced along the way. He seems too busy driving home his inspirational platitudes to really provide a substantial novel. The writing style is simplistic and choppy, and utilizes an overabundance of awkward similes and metaphors. I found the writing highly distracting.

Taj's story itself is definitely compelling and inspirational. I'm just not sure a fictional account based on a true story provided the best format to showcase such an incredible journey. If the author really wanted to go with a novelization, he should have added layers of complexity to the characters. If he wanted to stay completely true to Taj's experiences, he should have stuck to a non-fiction format. The invented dialogue never felt authentic to me, nor did the characters' contrived moments of introspection.

I hate feeling disappointed by a novel, especially when an intriguing story lends itself to the possibility of a great book. I think many readers will enjoy Taj's journey, but I craved so much more.

[Deyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the core of this novel is the abduction of a child. Though not a new story this is the heartfelt tale of displacement and the journey to find self. Immigration is a difficult challenge but shipment to America unwillingly as a child is another whole story. The parent figures in this novel feature prominently and in many aspects are heroes. Moving story of discovery.

[Lindsey Gandhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Heartwrenching, Cry Through The Night, Not Enough Kleenex in this House Stars!!!!!!!!!

If this book isn't on your to-read list yet, add it!!! This is based on the true story of Chellamuthu, who was kidnapped as a child in India and sold to an orphanage, then adopted by a family in America. Sadly, his story is not the first to happen to children in India, nor it will it be the last. What his story will do is offer you hope in mankind (I know that sounds odd given what this is about, however there are a lot of good people in this book who help him on his journey) and hopefully give another child who doesn't know where they come from a map to follow to find out who they are. This story goes full circle so you get as many answers as are available with those left alive. There were times in this story that my heart just broke, literally broke in half. And there were moments I laughed but all the time I cheered on Chellamuthu (name changed to Taj) the entire time of his life story.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book wasn't based on real person, I'm not sure I could believe some of the aspects of the story. I don't want to give them away but, wow, some of the "coincidences" are amazing. It's fun to have a story where you're really rooting for the main character to find what he's searching for. Along the way, we learn that what he seeks isn't all on the outside. It's amazing how similar Chellamuthu's story is to the one depicted in the movie 'Lion'.

[Janet C-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a historical fiction story based on a true story. A seven year old boy is kidnapped from the street in a poor village in India. He is brought to an orphanage, then adopted by a couple in the US. As a young adult, he does an intensive search to find his birth mother.
I read this book as a part of an Around the World reading challenge. It held my attention and gave me further insight into the culture in India.
I rate the book 4*

[Lori Keeton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story about a young boy taken from his family in India to be adopted into an American family had so much potential to be a great novel. However the author’s writing style which came off cheesy to me most of the time just didn’t do this story justice. I’m not a fan of telling me what happened. I want to feel what Taj felt, etc.but that didn’t happen. Didn’t love it, just liked this one.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. I couldn't put it down and I'm sure it will continue to be in my thoughts for a long time yet. I don't want to say anymore. Just someone read this book soon so we can talk about it!

[Kari Sweeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read a "5 Star Worthy" book.
This is one of the best books I've ever read in my life.
It has suspense, humor, romance and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to walk away from a book feeling inspired to conquer anything in the world.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it just 2 stars if it wouldn't have been based on a true story--the writing at times ranged from a bit cheesy to over-the-top cheeseball. And some things just didn't feel real.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Would love to know what parts were fiction.. and more of the real story!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the deciding factors that helped me enjoy this book even more was the audio narration performed by British actor, Simon Vance. His command of the Tamil pronunciations and cadence of the language was brilliant.

More than a third of the book was set in India which I felt gave an honest portrayal of Chellamuthu’s daily life, surrounded by poverty, constant hunger, but also a loving mother, siblings and extended family who cared for each other. I appreciated learning more about the Hindu culture, traditions, and beliefs. I think the author painted a believable picture of what it was like for Arayi, Chellamuthu’s mother, as she mourned the loss of her son. The land owner, Mrs. Iyer, shared a poignant experience of her own grief which I found inspiring.”…Lord Shiva helped me understand that my only journey of concern was to be like the sun, to make it through the day offering as much light and warmth and consistency for others as I could—one single day. Each day.”

The abduction of a child is devastating for all concerned with repercussions that are far reaching, but none more so than for the child. This story addresses the impact of those feelings for Chellamuthu/Taj as he also mourns the loss of his family, trying to adjust to the orphanage, and then being torn away once again. Then to compound this by bringing a child into a completely foreign culture, language and customs had to be utterly overwhelming!

I delighted in experiencing Chellamuthu’s wonder as he took in the luxuries of American life. So many toilets—so much food---seeing a decorated Christmas tree with lights and the descriptions of American food compared to Indian. ”While the food at Lincoln Home had been constant, perhaps even repetitive, at least it stood up and talked back. It was pungent and flavorful, tangy and mysterious. It had opinions and it shared them whether you agreed or not. In contrast, American food was…lonely.”

Just as we are being immersed in Taj’s life as his American parents begin to teach him English, we are thrust ten years into his future, and he is now a high school senior. I would have liked more detail about those interim years as well as more about Maneesh, but perhaps the author felt he needed to move the story along. Taj seemed somewhat lost at this point in his life as to where he belonged or what he wanted to do. Always feeling that he didn’t really “fit in” anywhere. From this point we follow his journey of discovery which I found fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, because it was a story based on true events in the life of Taj Rowland. I found the writing insightful and often poignant as well as beautifully nuanced in its references to India.
(For more information about Taj Roland’s story visit www.theorphankeeper.com )

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that definitely grabbed my attention when I first received an email about ‘The Orphan Keeper’, was the cover. The bright orange colors definitely made me want to read where this book was all about. And after I read the book description I just knew I wanted to read this book. Although I don’t read a lot of non-romance novels at the moment, this book based on true event really was one I needed to read.

‘The Orphan Keeper’ is the story of Chellamuthu. The story begins when Chellamuthu is just a little boy, living in poverty with his family in India. Although Chellamuthu is poor, and has to work from a very young age, he is just like other young boys. Chellamuthu is really curious and loves playing with other young boys. Especially when playing with these boys makes him able to get his hands on some fruits. But this also means he is easily distracted and forgets to do the things his parents ask of him.
One day, Chellamuthu is playing outside when he is suddenly abducted and taken to a city hours away from his family.
Soon Chellamuthu finds himself being adopted by an American family who have no idea he is abducted.

This book was definitely something else. From the moment I started reading, I didn’t want to stop and I just wanted to know how Chellamuthu’s story was going to end. ‘The Orphan Keeper’ is such a touching, beautiful and heartbreaking story and knowing it is based on true life events made this book even more intriguing. I loved every word in this book.

The writing is very good and I could easily imagine myself walking besides Chellamuthu. When Chellamuthu was eating those spicy Indian foods, I could almost taste them myself. That’s how good this book was written. The author wrote a lot of details in this book which made it even easier to imagine myself walking beside the characters. And I was really impressed by the authors writing.

If you’re looking for a beautiful, touching book that really makes you value your own life more ‘The Orphan Keeper’ is for you. This book is definitely one I’ll be thinking of for some time.

[Jenn Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been thinking about this book ever since I finished it this weekend (I've been listening to the audiobook and had to sit up late listening, because I just had to finish it): such a compelling, gripping story about finding one's place in the world and one's identity. I especially loved the main character's observations about food: that American food seems lonely and that Indian food dances with your tastebuds and invites friends. Also, the landlady back in his neighborhood in India says the most profound things about grief that I might have ever read. Overall, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this story: I've had a lot of bad experiences with books set in India - mainly because by the end I feel that the world is a terrible, horrible place and everyone's life sucks -and this was definitely not a bad experience, but a very lovely one. And one that made me so hungry for Indian food, I've had it three times in the past week and a half.