--- product_id: 27094074 title: "Song of the Cuckoo Bird: A Novel" price: "R246" currency: ZAR in_stock: false reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/27094074-song-of-the-cuckoo-bird-a-novel store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # Song of the Cuckoo Bird: A Novel **Price:** R246 **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Song of the Cuckoo Bird: A Novel - **How much does it cost?** R246 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/27094074-song-of-the-cuckoo-bird-a-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description A sweeping epic set in southern India, where a group of outcasts create a family while holding tight to their dreams. Barely a month after she is promised in marriage, eleven-year-old orphan Kokila comes to Tella Meda, an ashram by the Bay of Bengal. Once there, she makes a courageous yet foolish choice that alters the fabric of her life: Instead of becoming a wife and mother, youthful passion drives Kokila to remain at the ashram. Through the years, Kokila revisits her decision as she struggles to make her mark in a country where untethered souls like hers merely slip through the cracks. But standing by her conviction, she makes a home in Tella Meda alongside other strong yet deeply flawed women. Sometimes they are her friends, sometimes they are her enemies, but always they are her family. Like Isabel Allende, Amulya Malladi crafts complex characters in deeply atmospheric settings that transport readers through different eras, locales, and sensibilities. Careening from the 1940s to the present day, Song of the Cuckoo Bird chronicles India’s tumultuous history as generations of a makeshift family seek comfort and joy in unlikely places–and from unlikely hearts. Review: "Cuckoo Bird" is a beloved story - Song of the Cuckoo Bird is a fascinating book portraying the different customs in Indian culture and how outcasts live by these customs. Kokilia, a young Indian girl, comes to live in Tella Meda, an ashram, where she must wait to menstruate before she goes to live with her husband. She decides that she doesn't want to leave and lives there for the rest of her life amongst other people who are not accepted anywhere else, whether they are the daughter of a prostitute or a widow whose relatives do not want her. The relationships between the characters are very intriguing, and are slightly similar to the tight-knit environment of a small high school. The people in the ashram all have different morals, values, and beliefs, and this often leads to conflict. However, they all have one thing in common that binds them together; they have no other place to go. It is amazing to read how the characters hurdle obstacle after obstacle and carry on with life despite their numerous problems. The chapters alternate points of view and show the differences between the characters' hopes and fears and how they think of each other. What I like the most about this book is how all of the characters still hold onto their aspirations despite their social situations. Also, I like how the author mentions what is happening politically in India while the residents of Tella Meda are carrying on their everyday lifestyles. Because they are so out of touch with the real world, these things do not affect the characters. It is interesting to see the differences of how the death of a prime minister is handled by an urban city dweller compared to how it is handled by a poor outcast in a small town. What seems like a big deal in the city seems like nothing in Tella Meda. The small sheltered environment is the only home the characters have, so they only care what is happening in that place. The only problem I have with this book is that there are too many characters that have similar names, and it is easy to get them confused with one another. Some of these characters are even unnecessary; the author just eliminates them from the story entirely. All in all however, this book is a great novel. So many different events happen, making the plot exciting and interesting, and with the different points of view on each of these events, it is possible to see all sides of the story. Review: Richly woven tale of changing times and family beyond blood - Beautifully written story of how a cornucopia of characters become a family despite their circumstances, even without love at times. Perfect glimpse of the changing times and how the main characters adapt. It is yet another testament of how, no matter the age and era, the choices we make sometimes stick with us for the rest of our lives. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #4,159,350 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #7,762 in Cultural Heritage Fiction #45,192 in Literary Fiction (Books) #55,994 in Contemporary Women Fiction | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 485 Reviews | ## Images ![Song of the Cuckoo Bird: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514aOFr2L8L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Cuckoo Bird" is a beloved story *by S***M on January 30, 2006* Song of the Cuckoo Bird is a fascinating book portraying the different customs in Indian culture and how outcasts live by these customs. Kokilia, a young Indian girl, comes to live in Tella Meda, an ashram, where she must wait to menstruate before she goes to live with her husband. She decides that she doesn't want to leave and lives there for the rest of her life amongst other people who are not accepted anywhere else, whether they are the daughter of a prostitute or a widow whose relatives do not want her. The relationships between the characters are very intriguing, and are slightly similar to the tight-knit environment of a small high school. The people in the ashram all have different morals, values, and beliefs, and this often leads to conflict. However, they all have one thing in common that binds them together; they have no other place to go. It is amazing to read how the characters hurdle obstacle after obstacle and carry on with life despite their numerous problems. The chapters alternate points of view and show the differences between the characters' hopes and fears and how they think of each other. What I like the most about this book is how all of the characters still hold onto their aspirations despite their social situations. Also, I like how the author mentions what is happening politically in India while the residents of Tella Meda are carrying on their everyday lifestyles. Because they are so out of touch with the real world, these things do not affect the characters. It is interesting to see the differences of how the death of a prime minister is handled by an urban city dweller compared to how it is handled by a poor outcast in a small town. What seems like a big deal in the city seems like nothing in Tella Meda. The small sheltered environment is the only home the characters have, so they only care what is happening in that place. The only problem I have with this book is that there are too many characters that have similar names, and it is easy to get them confused with one another. Some of these characters are even unnecessary; the author just eliminates them from the story entirely. All in all however, this book is a great novel. So many different events happen, making the plot exciting and interesting, and with the different points of view on each of these events, it is possible to see all sides of the story. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Richly woven tale of changing times and family beyond blood *by S***Z on October 13, 2017* Beautifully written story of how a cornucopia of characters become a family despite their circumstances, even without love at times. Perfect glimpse of the changing times and how the main characters adapt. It is yet another testament of how, no matter the age and era, the choices we make sometimes stick with us for the rest of our lives. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another great read from Amulya Malladi *by S***A on January 12, 2025* I really love the interviews at the end of your books. This one was a bit harder to read than the others for me. The stories intertwining with one another and the different conversations and perspectives. I wasn’t 100% sure where it was going, but that was ok. It wasn’t predictable, and the people and their lives were all very interesting. About half way through reading it, it all clicked together for me and I ended up loving it. I loved the ending and how it all wrapped up. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/27094074-song-of-the-cuckoo-bird-a-novel](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/27094074-song-of-the-cuckoo-bird-a-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-10-21*