This book takes on the complex role of vows made by women throughout the Indian subcontinent, but focusing on Bengal. The author explains simply and clearly the phenomenon of the vow and its significance and empowerment of women and goddesses in Hinduism. the stories behind the vows are fascinating and worth reading the book just to learn about them. What I liked about _Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives_is that it easily understood by those who have had little or even no background in the scholarship of Hinduism or women and religion.