Before We Visit the Goddess

By: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan, Priya Ayyar, Vikas Adam

A beautiful, powerful new novel from the best-selling, award-winning author of Sister of My Heart and The Mistress of Spies about three generations of mothers and daughters who must discover their greatest source of strength in one another - a masterful, brilliant tale of a family both united and torn apart by ambition and love.

The daughter of a poor baker in rural Bengal, India, Sabitri yearns to get an education, but her family's situation means college is an impossible dream. Then an influential woman from Kolkata takes Sabitri under her wing, but her generosity soon proves dangerous after the girl makes a single unforgivable misstep.

Years later, Sabitri's own daughter, Bela, haunted by her mother's choices, flees abroad with her political refugee lover - but the America she finds is vastly different from the country she'd imagined. As the marriage crumbles and Bela is forced to forge her own path, she unwittingly imprints her own child, Tara, with indelible lessons about freedom, heartbreak, and loyalty that will take a lifetime to unravel.

In her latest novel, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters and the different kinds of love that bind us across generations. Before We Visit the Goddess captures the gorgeous complexity of these multigenerational and transcontinental bonds, sweeping across the 20th century from the countryside of Bengal, India, to the streets of Houston, Texas - an extraordinary journey told through a sparkling symphony of voices.

©2016 Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Expected So Much More!!!

Was really hoping that this story would be as good as some of the author's previous books, like Americana, Oleander Girl, and Purple Hibiscus, but sadly, it did not measure up to any of them. The plot was basically boring, with no actual depth to the characters. The story oddly jumped around, and was not well executed. As for the narration, the parts off the Grandmother and her daughter were performed OK, though the person narrating Tara (the youngest generation of the three), was pretty awful, and not at all a believable character. I truly felt like she was reading, rather than playing the part. Also, do not understand why the author added in that single chapter with Kenneth, the neighbor. It seemed pointless and inconsequential in telling the story. Would not recommend, when there are so many wonderful options available on audio.

wonderful and sad all at once

I wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed that new characters were introduced late. I wasn't sure how that would work out, but each character was important and tied together a story at once wonderful and sad. The narration made me eager to finish, then it was bittersweet because I finished it.

A gentle read

Good storyline, a bit jumbled and confusing the way the story jumps...from character to character without a good introduction. Wrapped up well at the end.

touching and sweet

Loved the different characters in this story. .. they were very visible and interesting,each. Wonderful

Wonderful wonderful story and performance

What amazing story!
The performances were also excellent. Several people have commented on The performer who plays Tara, she definitely wasn’t as good as the other readers, but she didn’t spoil the book for me.
The stories of three women and 3 men that we’ve together so perfectly and meticulously. It was an absolute joy to listen to, and I would thoroughly recommend.

Good read.

It's the story of multiple generations of an Asian Indian family, with changing & conflicting times & values. But it could be any family anywhere because the conflicts are created by misunderstandings, secrets, & shame. This isn't a dark story, despite loss & loneliness. I recommend it.

Surprising and well acted

This was not a normal purchase for me. In fact, think I got it on sale and based it purely on the clip and reviews. They led me the right way.

The acting for each person is excellent! The voices change based on age, location, and generation. You never loose the person even though the time jumping can get a bit confusing at 1 part. The voice acting really helps bring the story to life!

The story is excellent too! It does an amazing job tell the story 4 generations of women in a family which is no easy task. You see the challenges and changes each women face with amazing clarity. And it feels as if they do not short change on the details.

Will be looking for similar books by this author and with these voice actors.

Beautiful Story

I recommend this to every daughter and to every mother of a daughter. Three generations of women and their struggles, their heartaches, their triumphs.

whew, the things we hide

If you could sum up Before We Visit the Goddess in three words, what would they be?

hurtful family secrets

What did you like best about this story?

the stories of each woman and how what happened in their lives affected the next generation

Which scene was your favorite?

I guess when all the discoveries were made....It made me examine my "story" and how each of us try to put the best face forward thinking that we are helping or protecting our parents, siblings, children when really it is just causing mistakes to move forward

If you could rename Before We Visit the Goddess, what would you call it?

I think it is a good title....It alludes to the richness of the story....every title I could think of to rename it just didn't hold that richness

Any additional comments?

The narration was wonderful

Loved everything about it... except one reader

This was a beautiful story and I loved listening to it. I think the readers did an excellent job... all except the voice of Tara. It was completely out of place and the reader didn't sound like she was part of the story at all, she was simply reading what was written. Very unlike the other readers who really sounded like they were a part of the story.