This final story in the Blessings of India trilogy picks up in 1985 when Shridula is aging and her granddaughter, Anjan, is left on her doorstep by the girl's father. Puran married Shridula's daughter against her wishes and she never did like him. Immediately, Shridula changes Anjan's name, which means "fearful one," to Divena, which means "divine blessing." Divena is truly a blessing to Shridula in her old age. Although only 10 years old, she is able to help with cooking and gardening. Shridula's only income is from selling her vegetables at the market each day. They don't have much, but they are surviving.

As the years pass and Shridula becomes old and frail, Divena does all the gardening and selling at the market. When Shridula falls ill, the local medicine woman comes to administer potions to help her heal. Divena cannot pay the bill all at once. The medicine woman strikes a deal with a local landowner to deliver Divena to him as his bondswoman for the payment she owes. When that plan goes awry, Puran, Divena's father, tries to sell her to the same landowner with his own deal. Divena narrowly escapes being captured and has to take refuge in a church deep in the pepper forest of the next village.

Divena and her friend Selvi have been attending classes one evening a week at the church to learn to read. The people take her in and see to her needs while she is hiding from her would-be captors. Meanwhile, the landowner's eldest son, Sundar, becomes interested in the church and also in Divena. He hides in the bushes during services so as not to be seen. India's caste system was eliminated by law in 1976, but many of the people still practice it, and Divena is considered a Harijan, an Untouchable who is unclean. Could they ever have a life together?

This historical, inspirational novel continues to explore the changing political and social systems in India. As the lower classes of Indian people become educated about their rights, many are trying to make a better life for themselves and for their families. They look to a better future for their children and grandchildren. THE LOVE OF DIVENA is a story about hope and change. It has been a pleasure to read the entire trilogy, but this book can stand alone as a great inspirational piece. Kudos to Kay Marshall Strom for sharing the history of a forgotten people who needs to hear the gospel message like everyone else. Don't miss this great story.

Book Summary

India 1990. In the final book of the Blessings of India series, Shridula, old and stooped at fifty-nine, makes her painful way to pay homage to the elephant god Ganesh, lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. “Why are we Hindus instead of Christians?” her seventeen-year-old granddaughter Divena asked.

“Because we are Indian,” said Shridula.

So begins a spiritual journey for Divena as she struggles against an entire culture to proclaim a faith close to her heart while rocking the world of two families.