8.16 Sanjena Sathian: On the Illusion of Choice and Motherhood

What if the person your ex-husband fell for was your doppelganger?In this episode, Sanjena Sathian takes us inside her new novel Goddess Complex, exploring one of the most personal choices a woman can make. Step into the world of Sanjana Satyananda, a woman navigating life after a challenging period in her life, grappling with themes of motherhood, fertility, divorce, and absurdly enough, a doppelganger with a cult following.With a protagonist who almost shares her name, Sanjena reveals how much of herself she poured into the story.She also reflects on her writing journey, her time at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, her acclaimed debut novel, and how Goddess Complex marks a shift in her storytelling.Tune in now for this rollercoaster ride!Books mentioned in the episode:Rebecca by Daphne Du MaurierOperation Shylock: A Confession by Philip RothThe Horned Man by James LasdunMalory Towers (novel series) by Enid BlytonThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldAll the King's Men by Robert Penn WarrenAll Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth BrundageFamily Planning by Karan MahajanAll This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam MatthewsThe Association of Small Bombs by Karan MahajanMovies and TV Shows mentioned in the episode:Adaptation (2002)Gilmore Girls (2000)Veep (2012)Applications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.