'Chick Pea Curry’ Lit, Chick Lit with an Indian twist
It all s̶t̶a̶r̶t̶e̶d̶ ended with that box…
The year 2000 and Aashi’s life was all set.
New Millennium, exciting beginnings, new life.
Or so she thought.
Like in the Bollywood films, Ravi would woo her, charm her family and they’d get married and live happily ever after.
But then Aashi found the empty condom box...
Putting her ex-fiancé and her innocence behind her, Aashi embarks upon an enlightening journey, to another country, where vibrant memories are created, and unforgettable friendships forged.
Old images erased, new beginnings to explore.
And how can she forget the handsome stranger she meets?
A stranger who’s hiding something…
I'm delighted to be sharing my review of Marriage Unarranged by Ritu Bhathal today. Many thanks to Zoe O'Farrell and Spellbound Books for sending me a digital copy of the book ahead of the blog tour for the second book in The Rishtay series, Straight as a Jalebi. You can read my review of that book here.
Romantic fiction isn't my preferred genre but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the work that goes into creating a well-structured, believable love story and I was drawn to this 'Chick Pea Curry' Lit. My instincts were proven right and I finished Marriage Unarranged with a huge smile on my face.
It's worth noting that the book is set in the year 2000 and therefore is a wholly absorbing portrait of life for a British Punjabi family over twenty years ago – whether it reflects contemporary beliefs and attitudes within the community isn't something I can answer. That said, some topics are universal and despite this being a feel-good read, the pain of infidelity is empathetically observed. Aashi is a rather naïve character at the start of the book, with a rose-tinted view of love and marriage. However, Ritu Bhathal ensures she never seems pathetic and as well as discovering her inner strength as the novel progresses, her innate good-heartedness is shown to be a positive trait throughout.
As part of the preparations for her wedding, Aashi had planned to travel to India with her mum to buy her bridal outfits. After cancelling everything else, she makes what becomes the first step towards regaining control of her life and decides she still wants to go to India. Her best friend, Kira agrees to accompany her, alongside her brothers, Bali and Sunny. Bali in particular takes on the traditional role as bodyguard to his sister but nevertheless, Aashi is looking forward to the holiday as the soul-cleansing break she needs. Much of the book is set in India and although I'm obviously not able to confirm whether it's an accurate depiction of Delhi twenty years ago, Ritu Bhathal's vibrant descriptions certainly make it feel real, especially regarding the vast contrast between the poorer and more affluent areas of the city. The most memorable scenes in the book are arguably when they leave Delhi and head to the Punjab. Their visit to Amritsar and the Golden Temple for Vaisakhi is beautifully evoked; these might be young people and not particularly religious but it's clear how moved they are, joining scores of other worshippers in the famous gurdwara. The most poignant moment comes however, when they go to Jallianwala Bagh, the site of a terrible massacre in 1919 when British troops fired on and killed several unarmed Indians. Although this is a light-hearted novel, the response of the characters here is pitched perfectly, with both the sombre contemplation of some of their group and the understandable anger of others portrayed.
The sense of place is complemented by the fine characterisation which means Marriage Unarranged is such a warm, compelling read. Aashi is so much more than a victim and I loved that although this is a story about finding love again, it's also about her re-discovering herself. Meanwhile, Kira is the friend everyone needs – she's feisty, funny, single-minded and fiercely loyal; so many people still mistakenly imagine South Asian women to be submissive and passive but Kira is the antithesis of that fallacy. Her own subplot is absolutely delightful and will have readers smiling as much as the main storyline. Of course, this is a romance and with Ravi off the scene, Aashi needs a new love interest. She meets Arjun on the plane and although it's no surprise that this man will become far more than her pillow, it's how they recognise their feelings for one another and handle the various obstacles they encounter which makes their story so captivating. The conclusion is more realistic than a straightforward Happily Ever After with plenty of scope for further developments as the series progresses and the fantastic final line sets up Straight as Jalebi brilliantly. Marriage Unarranged is witty, empathetic romantic fiction with real heart, I thoroughly recommend it.
Marriage Unarranged is published by Spellbound Books and can be purchased from Amazon.
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