Secrets in the Wind

by Rumki Chowdhury

Asha is a teenager hoping to get to know her Bengali culture on a deeper level by taking a vacation with her parents from America to Bangladesh. There, she meets her cousin, Kushi, with whom she hopes to form an immediate sisterly bond. However, her hopes are crushed when she senses Kushi is hiding a deep and dark secret. She eventually discovers that her cousin is being stalked and tormented by an older male. After Kushi opens up to Asha about the details, Asha wonders if she can help her cousin. Soon, she realizes that Kushi is just one of many young girls who fall victim to stalkers and child marriage in Bangladesh every year. Will Asha and Kushi be able to escape the wrath of one such monster?

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2023

About the author

www.rumki.com

Reviews

[Fatema · Rating 2 out of 5]

Secrets in the Wind is a novel about two teenagers navigating the difficult terrain of violence in dating and romance, as well as child marriage. The novel presents a hopeful outlook, two heroines doing what's necessary to escape a violent stalker. I appreciated the author's exploration of the various nuances in such a situation, and the resources that exist for victims of gendered violence. The pacing, too, was good for a book aimed at young adults. However, the writing was poor, metaphors such as the wind and rain overused. Chowdhury spent a lot of time explaining everything from what Eid is to basic words like "amma" and "abba," which made me wonder who she imagined was her audience. Certainly not other Bangladeshis or Muslims who would be familiar with such concepts. Characters were further exocitized by how they were described (everyone's skin tone likened to food). I could sense there was a longing to describe Bangladesh in a loving way; but the overused imagery of banyan trees, the red sun, rain and wind made it more a romanticized version than Bangladesh in actuality. Still, I can't help but give kudos to this Bangladeshi-American author for putting her work out there and attempting to bring to light a much needed and necessary conversation around intimate partner violence.

[Kamrul Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Secrets in the Wind" by Bangladeshi-American author Rumki Chowdhury is a poignant and timely coming-of-age story about a teenage girl named Asha who travels back to Bangladesh to visit her family. Upon arrival, she discovers that her cousin Khushi is faced with challenges Asha had only read about in the news and which would test her determination while creating a sisterly bond with a previously distant family member.

As Asha helps Kushi navigate this difficult situation, she learns about the cultural and societal pressures facing women in Bangladesh and is forced to confront her own assumptions and biases. Through her journey, Asha becomes an ally and advocate for Kushi, ultimately learning valuable lessons about resilience, femininity, and the power of sisterhood.

Mrs. Chowdhury does a brilliant job of bringing to life the complexities and nuances of the Bangladeshi cultural landscape, and the relationship between Asha and Kushi is beautifully written and deeply moving. The story is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, tackling difficult themes such as stalking and gender-based violence with sensitivity and insight.

Overall, "Secrets in the wind" is a thought-provoking and rewarding read that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in coming-of-age stories, feminist literature, or Bangladeshi culture.

Kamrul Khan

[Michele Kwasniewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blazed through this book in just a few days. SECRETS IN THE WIND is a poignant story of a young American woman visiting her relatives in Bangladesh. In reconnecting with her relatives and her culture, she discovers a new strength and determination within herself and changes the lives forever of those around her. Chowdhury’s writing is compelling and her prose paints Bangladesh so clearly, it was almost as if I could feel the breeze on my face, see the dazzling colors of the sarees and smell the delicious foods in the story. Chowdhury conveys the Bangladesh culture well; I feel like I just touched the tip of learning about Bangladesh and I can’t wait to learn more. The differences in how seventeen year old Asha sees her future compared to her similarly-aged cousin, Kushi made for a wonderful stage for this coming of age tale. I am adding Chowdhury’s other books to my TBR. A compelling coming of age story!

[Sana Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Refreshing read. Kept me hooked till the end and I read it in one go.
Bangladesh is beautifully spun in the fabric of this story so much so that I now want to visit it.
It also highlights the problems faced by teens and young girls in Bangladesh. What was refreshing was the sisterhood and the sisterly bond between the two cousins, Kushi and Aasha their hopes, dreams and fears.
The element of thrill and Frankenstein was my favorite part.
Thoughtfully written, reminded of my teen-age.
I also like the humor present , being a South Asian I can relate to the culture and story very well.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Bangladesh after many years since her last visit, it’s a pleasure to follow along as Asha catches up with her family, and takes in the delightful surroundings in Secrets in the Wind. Along the journey, Chowdhury delicately reveals a disturbing and too-common social problem that Asha’s relatives have not escaped. Asha’s youthful and uncontrived approach to the situation made for a compelling read. It’s not a fairytale ending, but an honest-feeling one. I hope to follow Asha along on more life explorations or at least enjoy more of Chowdhury’s tales.

[Ershad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of Bangladesh is evident throughout the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. Rumki's words can transform the reader to the setting. Her words propels one to empathize with the main characters in their challenging circumstances; their dialogue touched me. I learned something new.