Dear Suitor

by Amal Behbehani

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in a Kuwaiti household, must be in want of a husband. And so the search starts, not with a glass slipper, but with an interrogation. A Kuwaiti woman sits through several meetings with potential candidates. Will any stick on for the next stage of courtship?

For those not living in Kuwait: one of the ways a woman meets her prospective husband is for the man’s family to call the woman’s parents for an initial meeting. He will come over to sit and meet with her. If both sides find the meeting agreeable, they start the engagement talks.

But what if you don’t click from the first meeting? What if he doesn’t even have an interest in her? What if, for all of your best intentions, you are met with someone who balks at the idea of you?

Then you sit through another one. And then another meeting. And then another. And then several other meetings... Then you turn those awkward meetings into anecdotes. Or just vent into your diary. And if that diary is read by any person except my brother, then that’s fine. Just as long as they don’t out me on Twitter.

30 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2023

Reviews

[Jannat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be a short read but every diary entry stays with you after you close the book. Very funny and witty, and quite relatable to our culture. Wish there were more to it! Can’t wait to see what Amal has in store for us next!

[Fatima Behbehani · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny hilarious diary like written about a girl of marriage age and her meetings with possible suitors.. I recommend it for all girls and morthers to read 😁

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read… kinda wish it was longer!
Some of the stuff you can totally relate to and it got you thinking man… why are some people like this… and then next thing you’d find yourself laughing 😂 because some moments are downright hilarious…
Will we get more of these entries I wonder!

[Anwar behbehani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me giggling(!) at 12AM when everyone was asleep.
Got dizzy from the amount of suitors.
Very relatable and very funny but sad at the same time.
Hope for more of the ending or a part 2!

[Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a series of diary entries, Dear Suitor, is a Kuwaiti woman's attempt to record the various encounters, or in the Western sense—blind dates—she has to go through in order to find the one. These encounters range from the funny, the exasperating, to the most extreme—humiliating—as some of the suitors resort to body shaming as a tactic. The process of finding "the one" is brutal, and these encounters are made more emotionally draining by the impossible demands these suitors place. Beneath the layer of humour that pervades the text is a subtle critique of the merciless scrutiny women looking to start a family must face.

[Momo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books i read this year.

[Chandra Sundeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amal Behbehani’s debut Dear Suitor is definitely the shortest book I have ever read this year. It is just 30 pages long, and I breezed through it in less than an hour. Amal’s tongue-in-cheek humour, however, makes up for the brevity. The narrative cleverly transforms what could be a daunting and serious topic into a light-hearted and entertaining read.



Set in Kuwait, the story follows a 30-something unnamed Kuwaiti woman and her encounters with meeting potential suitors. Presented in the form of diary entries, the book humorously unravels the trials and tribulations of a single Kuwaiti woman navigating the intricate process of finding a life partner in a society where matrimony is almost a societal norm.

While Dear Suitor may not revolutionize the genre, it does stand out as a refreshing take on the complexities of modern courtship in Kuwait. Amal’s wit and storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a delightful and engaging read for those seeking a blend of humour and cultural insights.

Dear Suitor is a witty exploration of love, courtship, and societal expectations, offering readers a charming glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of finding love in the Kuwaiti context.

Find my full review on my blog

Wordsopedia Rating 3/5

[nadz 🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i enjoyed every second🤍 this was such a fun light read!

[Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short read, about 29 pages, but very very FUNNY!
I laughed out loud some many times reading it! About the awkward situations women are put in with traditional courtship in Kuwait.

[Noura Marafi]

Absolutely hilarious! 😂 I loved every bit of it — witty, relatable, and full of sharp humor about finding a suitir. Such a refreshing and fun read!

[Shatha Al-Mutawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased today at Kuwaits 48 International. Short BUT funny

[nadz🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was such a delight! truly one of the best things ive read this year!