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The Dowry Bride
One sultry night, a young bride overhears an extraordinary conversation. The voices speak of a plot to murder a wife who has failed to produce a child and whose family has failed to produce the promised dowry...
Megha is sick with horror when she realizes she is the intended victim. Her husband -- the very man who tied the sacred necklace of marriage around her neck -- and his mother are plotting to kill her! In the moment of panic, she runs for her life. Frantically racing through Palgaum's deserted streets, her way lit only by the lights strung up for the Diwali festival, her single goal is to escape death by fire. But fleeing from her would-be-killers seems impossible -- unless she can find someone to help her...
To approach her best friend would bring scandal to an innocent woman's doorstep, and turning to her own strict, conservative family is out of the question. Instead, with nothing but the sari she wears and a memory of kindness, Megha finds her way to Kiran, the one man who has shown her friendship and respect. Hiding her in his apartment, Kiran becomes her protector. But the forbidden attraction that grows between them can only bring more danger...
Caught between tradition and the truths buried in her heart, a dowry bride will discover the real cost of the only things worth having in life...
Megha is sick with horror when she realizes she is the intended victim. Her husband -- the very man who tied the sacred necklace of marriage around her neck -- and his mother are plotting to kill her! In the moment of panic, she runs for her life. Frantically racing through Palgaum's deserted streets, her way lit only by the lights strung up for the Diwali festival, her single goal is to escape death by fire. But fleeing from her would-be-killers seems impossible -- unless she can find someone to help her...
To approach her best friend would bring scandal to an innocent woman's doorstep, and turning to her own strict, conservative family is out of the question. Instead, with nothing but the sari she wears and a memory of kindness, Megha finds her way to Kiran, the one man who has shown her friendship and respect. Hiding her in his apartment, Kiran becomes her protector. But the forbidden attraction that grows between them can only bring more danger...
Caught between tradition and the truths buried in her heart, a dowry bride will discover the real cost of the only things worth having in life...
343 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Shobhan Bantwal
10 books140 followersShobhan Bantwal is the Indian-American author of THE DOWRY BRIDE, her debut novel set in India and slated for release by Kensington Books in September 2007. It is the first of a two-book contract with Kensington.
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
Since 2002, Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications like India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, New Woman India, Kanara Saraswat and Sulekha. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.
Her award winning stories are accessible through her web site: www.shobhanbantwal.com
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 19, 2007
Disappointing. It's an interesting topic though: The dowry system is alive in India even today and brides whose families don't follow through on payment are often tortured and even murdered without consequence. The main character runs away from her husband and mother-in-law after finding out they're about to kill her. She runs to a male relative for protection, they fall in love, etc.
It was too light and fluffy--read it a couple of days. Most of the dialogue sounded like a bad soap opera. Very predictable, but rushed at the end. Not really sure why I even finished it--I guess I hoped it would get better.
It was too light and fluffy--read it a couple of days. Most of the dialogue sounded like a bad soap opera. Very predictable, but rushed at the end. Not really sure why I even finished it--I guess I hoped it would get better.
April 27, 2009
This is ok. I wish I could give it 2 1/2 stars, because the writing level is just... atrociously grade-school. (if she's going to be quoted as an 'award winning writer' anyway.)She needs a better editor, there is a lot of rambling (and I'm not talking about the interesting bits about culture and day-to-day life in India, I liked that. But how many times do we need to hear about the male protagonist changing into khaki shorts and a blue logo t-shirt and how he looked masculine in them? *sigh*)
The plot is nice, but again, a bit... elementary. I guessed 90% of it. And there's still this nagging feeling that "how could a girl actually be an "A" student - all the way through college no less - and still be so... utterly uneducated, naive and emotionally immature?" I'm sorry, but if you're poor, you at least learn street smarts and shortcuts in life, and you're way more jaded by the time you're 20. Poor girls do not end up acting like fawning Disney Princesses with a song in their heart and a 'can do' attitude to match their flawless looks.
If you really want some intelligent, articulate writing about India, read Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's "Arranged Marriage" (it's short stories.)
I don't want to completely bash this book, it has some lovely cultural knowledge and if you've never been introduced to Indian culture, it's a fairly unassuming beginners guide- the details flow with the prose. I have to applaud the author taking on the caste system and the whole idea of bride burnings - it's kind of a no-no topic (even a Midwestern WASP girl like me knows that.)
The plot is nice, but again, a bit... elementary. I guessed 90% of it. And there's still this nagging feeling that "how could a girl actually be an "A" student - all the way through college no less - and still be so... utterly uneducated, naive and emotionally immature?" I'm sorry, but if you're poor, you at least learn street smarts and shortcuts in life, and you're way more jaded by the time you're 20. Poor girls do not end up acting like fawning Disney Princesses with a song in their heart and a 'can do' attitude to match their flawless looks.
If you really want some intelligent, articulate writing about India, read Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's "Arranged Marriage" (it's short stories.)
I don't want to completely bash this book, it has some lovely cultural knowledge and if you've never been introduced to Indian culture, it's a fairly unassuming beginners guide- the details flow with the prose. I have to applaud the author taking on the caste system and the whole idea of bride burnings - it's kind of a no-no topic (even a Midwestern WASP girl like me knows that.)
January 31, 2014
It was a nice read but nothing different or new about this story. And you had a hard time understanding what period this story took place sometimes given its modern setting with a traditional character background and unrest.
November 19, 2015
The Dowry Bride is the story of a young 21 year old girl who runs away from her home when she realizes that her in-laws and husband are trying to kill her. How she manages to survive; where does she find the support and help to fight the odds and win. The book cover was the first thing that attracted me to the book and of course the topic of dowry, an ill that ails our society. It is a very aesthetically pleasing cover and the fire on the cover following the footsteps of a bride was a big pull for me to read the book as was the story.
This is also a book that made me think and wonder what exactly I wanted to share in my review. The Dowry Bride is a reflection of our society, urging us to take action and change our ways.
The twist in the plot is when she finds refuge in the home of a relative of her husband who is secretly in love with her. Kunal comes across as a solid, sensible and calm guy. He is her glimmer of hope, the one supporter for Megha to start a new life. I enjoyed reading their interactions and discussions. The caring nature was just what she needed to blossom. He was truly her knight in shining armor.
The story very astutely highlights the pitfalls our young girls face. How a beautiful, educated girl gets married to a lying, spineless guy. The tyrannical mother-in-law and total lack of support from her own family add to her woes as does the never ending, back-breaking work. The society that looks upon young girls as burdens to be shed off, rather than to be nurtured as family members.
Shobhan paints a true picture, scores of women face all this and more through their lives, just surviving and hoping for a change. Many are not so lucky as Megha and countless have lost their lives. The book creates awareness about this heinous crime and shares the story that could have been any young girls.
The character of her mother-in-law, Amma and her spineless husband Suresh are well etched, realistic. The cruel streak in Chandramma is so obvious that even I felt quite upset and angry; any one would wish to move out. The diabolical plan devised by them both is the catalyst in Megha’s escape. It is true; fear is a big motivator as well as a hindrance. She runs but knows not what to do next. Her escape is temporary since her in-laws are still searching for her. The lack of Dowry, the greed for more money has ruined many a lives.
Megha herself is a strong girl; even though she feels unsure of herself yet with Kunal’s support she not only survives but also achieves her goals. The book works on many levels. The premise is excellent; the escape is adventures as is her acceptance of her feelings for Kunal. Add to it the struggle she faces, along with disapproving relatives makes for a good read. The book was a bit slow for me in the middle wherein she is just holed up at Kunal’s house. I felt as if she is not trying to do anything but the situation changes soon enough. vcfx
The book has excellent language and the conversations just flow.
The plot has a lot of hidden twists with Ajji, Kunal’s grandmother and Appaji who supported Megha even though he could not do much. Attacks, goons, spies and enough hidden secrets to put any Saas-Bahu serial to shame The Dowry Bride has a solid story as well. Meghna manages to survive but just; she starts living after she almost dies. Their presence makes a lot of difference to Megha’s future, as well as adding a human touch to her story.
The author ends the story on a optimistic note while sharing a message of positivity making it a very apt ‘feel good read’. The book evokes many emotions and even though it talks of an evil practice it left me with a encouraging frame of mind. A book with a message of hope and a whole lot of love.
(©InderpreetKaur. I got a copy of the book from Fingerprint Publishing, the views are my own.)
September 26, 2010
The writing is terrible and it's so offensive in so many ways. The villains in this book are always dark skinned and fat (not to mention low caste or untouchable) while the good people are slim and fair. It's totally absurd, the only reason I finished it is because I was on the train and had nothing else to read.
July 7, 2016
Reviewed for THC Reviews
For some reason, of late, I seem to have developed an interest in Indian culture. I’m not entirely sure why as India isn’t a place I’ve ever aspired to go in person, but I’ve discovered that I do enjoy being transported there within the pages of a good story. Since romance is my favorite fiction genre, I’m always on the lookout for a romance set in India or with Indian characters. Shobhan Bantwal came to my attention for two reasons: First she’s a local author in my area, and second, we both attended the same writer’s conference a few years back. While I don’t recall “officially” meeting her, I did take notice of her when she talked a little about her books in one of the classes I took. Consequently, when I got home, I immediately looked her up and decided to put The Dowry Bride on my TBR list, because it sounded quite fascinating. I’ve always been interested in the practices of other cultures as well as the darker side of life, and those are exactly the topics around which this book is centered. I have to commend the author for taking a hard look inside the persistence of the dowry system in India, despite it being outlawed, and the despicable practice of bride burning. These things alone made for an intriguing and suspenseful read that was only made all the more appealing by the inclusion of a sweet romantic element.
Megha is a typical young Indian wife who entered into an arranged marriage. She didn’t really want to marry her husband, but she was left with little other choice. After making good matches for their two older daughters and paying their dowries, her parents could ill-afford to do the same for her, so she ended up getting the short end of the stick, so to speak. They settled for the first young man to come along who was willing to take a beautiful bride in exchange for a much smaller than average dowry. Unfortunately, Megha is now stuck with the mother-in-law from hell, a dominating shrew who abuses her and treats her like nothing more than a servant. Her husband is a spineless momma’s boy who harbors no affection for Megha at all and barely touches her except to treat her like a sex slave. When her parents are unable to produce the dowry after one year of marriage and Megha hasn’t produced a child either, her MIL and husband conspire to do her in via bride burning. Fortunately Megha overhears their heinous plotting just in time and runs for her life.
I really felt deeply for Megha in her circumstances. Because of her culture and religion, she has few options for escape. She fears her parents would just send her back to her husband and to go to her sisters or best friend would bring shame and potential danger upon their households. Life for a woman on her own in India is a dangerous prospect at best, especially for one like Megha who hasn’t yet finished her higher education and has few marketable job skills. In this way, the story is reminiscent of historical romances, because of how repressed and backward the culture in India can be. It’s a very paternalistic society in which women are often oppressed. I had to give Megha mad props for at least trying to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. Even though she received nothing but scorn and abuse from her family by marriage, she did her work without complaint, maintained a good attitude, and even developed a little affection for her husband. I did wish sometimes that she would be a little more open and stop heaping so much guilt on her own head for things that weren’t her fault, but I realized I was applying a little too much of my Western sensibilities to her. She was merely a product of her culture and upbringing, and by the end, she’s beginning to blossom and come into her own. What she had to go through to get there made me very angry for her, and IMHO just went to show that fundamentalism in all it’s forms (religious or secular) is a dangerous thing to the well-being of people and the progress of society.
Luckily, Megha has a wonderful protector and ally in her husband’s cousin, Kiran. I love the fairy tale knight in shining armor, and Kiran is definitely that. Far from being blinded by familial connections, he already sees his cousin and aunt for what they are. He’s also been in love with Megha from afar since the day he met her, so he’s more than happy to hide her and protect her from a deadly threat when she comes seeking his help. Kiran was perfect in every way, and everything I love in a romantic hero: kind, caring, compassionate, patient, loving, understanding, supportive, passionate. I could go on extolling his virtues, but I’ll stop there. I adored him not only for giving Megha a much-needed safe refuge, but most of all for wanting to marry her as soon as she was free of her husband and not caring what society might think of him for marrying a divorcée, and not just any divorced woman, but his own cousin-in-law. Kiran gave Megha more love and acceptance than she’d ever experienced in her life, while also giving her the space and freedom to spread her wings and fly, which in my view, is exactly how a man should treat a woman.
I’ve noticed this book has rather mediocre ratings at online book sites. Not having read any of the reviews yet, I’m not sure why, but IMHO, it deserves better. It admittedly wasn’t perfect for me. It did take a little while for me to become accustomed to the author’s writing style, but once I did, it was an easy read. Ms. Bantwal has a rather narrative heavy style, with a tendency to perhaps go a little overboard with the rhetorical questions in the characters’ introspections. Occasionally she also treads a little more into telling rather than showing territory, and she also explores other character perspectives that made me a little anxious to get back to the romance. However, this was the author’s first novel, so I felt it was a great initial effort. The only other thing that could have been a little better for me was the ending. I’m not sure how the book was originally marketed, but I came to learn of it through romance channels. Therefore, I was expecting a traditional HEA, which isn’t quite what happens. Instead, it has a strong HFN ending, with things gradually falling into place for our happy couple to get that HEA down the road in the somewhat near future. We just don’t see it happen in the book. It’s more about Megha coming into her own and finding herself, with the romance playing a part in that. So as a romance fan, I would have preferred for them to have a more solid HEA, but I still turned the final page confident that it will happen for them someday because they’re still so much in love and committed to one another in spite of the roadblocks they’ve had to overcome.
Otherwise, The Dowry Bride was a lovely story that I enjoyed reading. Although Megha has a tendency to beat herself up a little too much, she’s still a very sympathetic and relatable character. Kiran is the proverbial fairy tale prince, who I fell madly in love with. Their romance is sweet and tender with a strong emotional connection, just the way I like it. I came away from reading it, feeling like I learned something about Indian culture and social issues, which is always a plus. So for anyone who enjoys other cultures and is looking for a romantic story that’s a little outside the norm, I would definitely recommend The Dowry Bride. It may have been my first read by Shobhan Bantwal, but I’ll certainly be looking into reading more of her work.
Note: For sensitive readers, there is one scene in which Kiran and Megha are technically cheating on her husband. In my view, though, the husband gave up all rights to Megha the minute he started plotting her demise, but for those who are sticklers and can’t stand cheating of any kind, I thought it worth mentioning.
For some reason, of late, I seem to have developed an interest in Indian culture. I’m not entirely sure why as India isn’t a place I’ve ever aspired to go in person, but I’ve discovered that I do enjoy being transported there within the pages of a good story. Since romance is my favorite fiction genre, I’m always on the lookout for a romance set in India or with Indian characters. Shobhan Bantwal came to my attention for two reasons: First she’s a local author in my area, and second, we both attended the same writer’s conference a few years back. While I don’t recall “officially” meeting her, I did take notice of her when she talked a little about her books in one of the classes I took. Consequently, when I got home, I immediately looked her up and decided to put The Dowry Bride on my TBR list, because it sounded quite fascinating. I’ve always been interested in the practices of other cultures as well as the darker side of life, and those are exactly the topics around which this book is centered. I have to commend the author for taking a hard look inside the persistence of the dowry system in India, despite it being outlawed, and the despicable practice of bride burning. These things alone made for an intriguing and suspenseful read that was only made all the more appealing by the inclusion of a sweet romantic element.
Megha is a typical young Indian wife who entered into an arranged marriage. She didn’t really want to marry her husband, but she was left with little other choice. After making good matches for their two older daughters and paying their dowries, her parents could ill-afford to do the same for her, so she ended up getting the short end of the stick, so to speak. They settled for the first young man to come along who was willing to take a beautiful bride in exchange for a much smaller than average dowry. Unfortunately, Megha is now stuck with the mother-in-law from hell, a dominating shrew who abuses her and treats her like nothing more than a servant. Her husband is a spineless momma’s boy who harbors no affection for Megha at all and barely touches her except to treat her like a sex slave. When her parents are unable to produce the dowry after one year of marriage and Megha hasn’t produced a child either, her MIL and husband conspire to do her in via bride burning. Fortunately Megha overhears their heinous plotting just in time and runs for her life.
I really felt deeply for Megha in her circumstances. Because of her culture and religion, she has few options for escape. She fears her parents would just send her back to her husband and to go to her sisters or best friend would bring shame and potential danger upon their households. Life for a woman on her own in India is a dangerous prospect at best, especially for one like Megha who hasn’t yet finished her higher education and has few marketable job skills. In this way, the story is reminiscent of historical romances, because of how repressed and backward the culture in India can be. It’s a very paternalistic society in which women are often oppressed. I had to give Megha mad props for at least trying to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. Even though she received nothing but scorn and abuse from her family by marriage, she did her work without complaint, maintained a good attitude, and even developed a little affection for her husband. I did wish sometimes that she would be a little more open and stop heaping so much guilt on her own head for things that weren’t her fault, but I realized I was applying a little too much of my Western sensibilities to her. She was merely a product of her culture and upbringing, and by the end, she’s beginning to blossom and come into her own. What she had to go through to get there made me very angry for her, and IMHO just went to show that fundamentalism in all it’s forms (religious or secular) is a dangerous thing to the well-being of people and the progress of society.
Luckily, Megha has a wonderful protector and ally in her husband’s cousin, Kiran. I love the fairy tale knight in shining armor, and Kiran is definitely that. Far from being blinded by familial connections, he already sees his cousin and aunt for what they are. He’s also been in love with Megha from afar since the day he met her, so he’s more than happy to hide her and protect her from a deadly threat when she comes seeking his help. Kiran was perfect in every way, and everything I love in a romantic hero: kind, caring, compassionate, patient, loving, understanding, supportive, passionate. I could go on extolling his virtues, but I’ll stop there. I adored him not only for giving Megha a much-needed safe refuge, but most of all for wanting to marry her as soon as she was free of her husband and not caring what society might think of him for marrying a divorcée, and not just any divorced woman, but his own cousin-in-law. Kiran gave Megha more love and acceptance than she’d ever experienced in her life, while also giving her the space and freedom to spread her wings and fly, which in my view, is exactly how a man should treat a woman.
I’ve noticed this book has rather mediocre ratings at online book sites. Not having read any of the reviews yet, I’m not sure why, but IMHO, it deserves better. It admittedly wasn’t perfect for me. It did take a little while for me to become accustomed to the author’s writing style, but once I did, it was an easy read. Ms. Bantwal has a rather narrative heavy style, with a tendency to perhaps go a little overboard with the rhetorical questions in the characters’ introspections. Occasionally she also treads a little more into telling rather than showing territory, and she also explores other character perspectives that made me a little anxious to get back to the romance. However, this was the author’s first novel, so I felt it was a great initial effort. The only other thing that could have been a little better for me was the ending. I’m not sure how the book was originally marketed, but I came to learn of it through romance channels. Therefore, I was expecting a traditional HEA, which isn’t quite what happens. Instead, it has a strong HFN ending, with things gradually falling into place for our happy couple to get that HEA down the road in the somewhat near future. We just don’t see it happen in the book. It’s more about Megha coming into her own and finding herself, with the romance playing a part in that. So as a romance fan, I would have preferred for them to have a more solid HEA, but I still turned the final page confident that it will happen for them someday because they’re still so much in love and committed to one another in spite of the roadblocks they’ve had to overcome.
Otherwise, The Dowry Bride was a lovely story that I enjoyed reading. Although Megha has a tendency to beat herself up a little too much, she’s still a very sympathetic and relatable character. Kiran is the proverbial fairy tale prince, who I fell madly in love with. Their romance is sweet and tender with a strong emotional connection, just the way I like it. I came away from reading it, feeling like I learned something about Indian culture and social issues, which is always a plus. So for anyone who enjoys other cultures and is looking for a romantic story that’s a little outside the norm, I would definitely recommend The Dowry Bride. It may have been my first read by Shobhan Bantwal, but I’ll certainly be looking into reading more of her work.
Note: For sensitive readers, there is one scene in which Kiran and Megha are technically cheating on her husband. In my view, though, the husband gave up all rights to Megha the minute he started plotting her demise, but for those who are sticklers and can’t stand cheating of any kind, I thought it worth mentioning.
June 13, 2012
To understand the story you have to understand the author's upbringing. Shobhan Bantwal is a Brahmin by declaration. Now religious texts tell us that caste is by nature- how a person acts, his her mannerisms but Brahmins have hijacked the system to ensure they retain power by assigning birthright to the system i.e. you can be a terribly disgraceful person and yet still be a Brahmin because your parents inherited Brahminism from their parents etc etc. This is used to subjujate others while placing power in the hands of a few. The caste system (once a functional, communal system) is now abolished in India because of this abuse by the Brahmins.
Yet Shobhan Bantwal, in America, continues to propagate Brahmin superiority and oppression by making the villains 'low caste and the heroes Brahmin. In India when Brahmins commit crimes they have a tendency to assign blame on the so called lower caste help who are fearful and meek after years of being stepped on and spat on. She ought to write about that if she wants to lend realism to her stories.
Yet Shobhan Bantwal, in America, continues to propagate Brahmin superiority and oppression by making the villains 'low caste and the heroes Brahmin. In India when Brahmins commit crimes they have a tendency to assign blame on the so called lower caste help who are fearful and meek after years of being stepped on and spat on. She ought to write about that if she wants to lend realism to her stories.
December 9, 2015
Dowry associated murders – a social issue that ended up being the fodder for many writers who weaved tales and did their bit to garner attention towards it. Naturally, the beautiful cover and the summary piqued my interest and upped my expectation. Sadly, the story fell flat on its face and didn’t exactly stand up to it.
Our protagonist, 21 year old Megha escapes from her house when she accidentally hears her mother in law plotting her murder for obvious reasons. She manages to escape and ends up seeking refuge in the house of one man from her husband’s family who actually treated her like a proper human being – Kunal – her husband’s cousin. They are mutually attracted to each other. Forbidden fruit does taste good though it just complicates the already messy situation that Megha is in. What does fate have in store for them? Or are they the harbinger of their own fate?
Characterization is one thing that irked me from the start. The portrayal of the “Evil” mother in law, the indifferent husband – seems too stereotypical. Being attracted to a compassionate human is one thing, but that thread of the story somehow ended up being justified better than the mother-in-law’s (chandramma) motive to kill Megha. The motive behind the plot to murder Megha seemed a bit too unconvincing. Megha’s and her father in law’s character stood out and made that lasting impression making up for the shortfalls of the other character. The story as such was just a bit above average, though the writing was perfect with each character emoting perfectly. The writing was the only reason I was compelled to finish the book. The climax is probably the highlight of this book. The writer pleasantly surprised me with an unconventional climax that is uncharacteristic of a romance story. “Contemporary” would be the apt word to describe it! A bit of conviction and depth to the actual issue at hand – dowry burning- would have added the much needed dimension to the book.
MY SAY: With a topic of an immense scope and perfect writing, the story could have been far better.
RATING:
PLOT : 7/10
NARRATION: 7/10
CHARACTERISATION: 5/10
BOREDOM QUOTIENT: 3/10 (lower the better)
OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10
Our protagonist, 21 year old Megha escapes from her house when she accidentally hears her mother in law plotting her murder for obvious reasons. She manages to escape and ends up seeking refuge in the house of one man from her husband’s family who actually treated her like a proper human being – Kunal – her husband’s cousin. They are mutually attracted to each other. Forbidden fruit does taste good though it just complicates the already messy situation that Megha is in. What does fate have in store for them? Or are they the harbinger of their own fate?
Characterization is one thing that irked me from the start. The portrayal of the “Evil” mother in law, the indifferent husband – seems too stereotypical. Being attracted to a compassionate human is one thing, but that thread of the story somehow ended up being justified better than the mother-in-law’s (chandramma) motive to kill Megha. The motive behind the plot to murder Megha seemed a bit too unconvincing. Megha’s and her father in law’s character stood out and made that lasting impression making up for the shortfalls of the other character. The story as such was just a bit above average, though the writing was perfect with each character emoting perfectly. The writing was the only reason I was compelled to finish the book. The climax is probably the highlight of this book. The writer pleasantly surprised me with an unconventional climax that is uncharacteristic of a romance story. “Contemporary” would be the apt word to describe it! A bit of conviction and depth to the actual issue at hand – dowry burning- would have added the much needed dimension to the book.
MY SAY: With a topic of an immense scope and perfect writing, the story could have been far better.
RATING:
PLOT : 7/10
NARRATION: 7/10
CHARACTERISATION: 5/10
BOREDOM QUOTIENT: 3/10 (lower the better)
OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10
June 9, 2010
2.5 stars
Although she seems a little too naive and she makes some really dumb decisions over the course of the book, I admired Megha's determination to make a new life for herself in the end. She really breaks free of the restraints placed upon her by her family and her in-laws. As a love interest, Kiran is alternately likeable and controlling. He is there for Megha and does his best to protect her and equip her for life on her own but at the same time he can be a little condescending. I found him to be a somewhat contradictory character but a decent one. We see the story through his eyes as well as Megha's. His devotion is touching in the face of his cousin and family's mistreatment of her.
The villains of the book are Chandramma and her apathetic son. Unfortunately both are flat characters that come across as caricatures. Chandramma reminds me of the over-the-top villains found in some Bollywood films. An attempt is made to explain just why Chandramma behaves the way she does but it doesn't really work. The reader is left with no sympathy for her character or understanding of her motives save madness.
The Dowry Bride tackles the topic of bride burning and the dowry system in modern India. The book starts off suspensefully with Megha finding out about her evil mother-in-law's plan and fleeing into the night. It had the potential to be a moving novel about an important issue but instead it changes focus to the forbidden attraction between Megha and Kiran. There were times when the story devolved into a romance novel, describing just how much the characters lusted after each other. The writing style could be irritating, particularly the awkward dialogue and Kiran's voice in the novel. There is good material here but the execution could have been a little better. Still, the story makes you feel for Megha and her plight. Her decisions in the end show how much she has grown.
Readalikes: Sharmila's Book by Bharti Kirchner, Brick Lane by Monica Ali, Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald
Although she seems a little too naive and she makes some really dumb decisions over the course of the book, I admired Megha's determination to make a new life for herself in the end. She really breaks free of the restraints placed upon her by her family and her in-laws. As a love interest, Kiran is alternately likeable and controlling. He is there for Megha and does his best to protect her and equip her for life on her own but at the same time he can be a little condescending. I found him to be a somewhat contradictory character but a decent one. We see the story through his eyes as well as Megha's. His devotion is touching in the face of his cousin and family's mistreatment of her.
The villains of the book are Chandramma and her apathetic son. Unfortunately both are flat characters that come across as caricatures. Chandramma reminds me of the over-the-top villains found in some Bollywood films. An attempt is made to explain just why Chandramma behaves the way she does but it doesn't really work. The reader is left with no sympathy for her character or understanding of her motives save madness.
The Dowry Bride tackles the topic of bride burning and the dowry system in modern India. The book starts off suspensefully with Megha finding out about her evil mother-in-law's plan and fleeing into the night. It had the potential to be a moving novel about an important issue but instead it changes focus to the forbidden attraction between Megha and Kiran. There were times when the story devolved into a romance novel, describing just how much the characters lusted after each other. The writing style could be irritating, particularly the awkward dialogue and Kiran's voice in the novel. There is good material here but the execution could have been a little better. Still, the story makes you feel for Megha and her plight. Her decisions in the end show how much she has grown.
Readalikes: Sharmila's Book by Bharti Kirchner, Brick Lane by Monica Ali, Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald
April 5, 2008
I find that there's a tendency to ignore this issue, of dowry killings - young wives burned or otherwise murdered to allow men to remarry and get another dowry - and it's great to see someone using the romance genre to make an important statement.
August 2, 2024
a really beautiful book and an eye opener to sm things. i love how she wanted to gain her independence after sm trauma and made sure she was secure financially and career wise. i also love how she did not agree to marry her lover right away as she wanted to enjoy her independence a bit more. although sometimes she did annoy me by making rash decisions but she acc learned from her lessons and never repeated them.
i also liked the constant comparison between her (ex) husband and current lover as in the difference between a boy and a man. i feel as if in a way, the author was discretely trying to tell the female audience on what to look for in a man and how a man should be in order to live in a happy marriage.
however, I didn’t like the open ending like just tell me if they got married or not. i don’t need this “see you in three weeks” crap >:(
and I also didn’t get if it was set back then or a modern setting bc it kept switching? Like some stuff would be really old traditional stuff but then there’s like coding mentioned out of nowhere ???
reading this book made me wish even more for the safety and happiness of all married women :((
i also liked the constant comparison between her (ex) husband and current lover as in the difference between a boy and a man. i feel as if in a way, the author was discretely trying to tell the female audience on what to look for in a man and how a man should be in order to live in a happy marriage.
however, I didn’t like the open ending like just tell me if they got married or not. i don’t need this “see you in three weeks” crap >:(
and I also didn’t get if it was set back then or a modern setting bc it kept switching? Like some stuff would be really old traditional stuff but then there’s like coding mentioned out of nowhere ???
reading this book made me wish even more for the safety and happiness of all married women :((
January 25, 2020
This book reads like a novela and I loved it! It starts off with a wife waking up to find her husband and mother in law plotting to burn her alive over not receiving a dowry!!! She runs away but obviously can’t go home or to friends because that’s the first place they will look for her! She ends up going to her husbands cousin who has always been kind to her. This book has so many twists and although I truly enjoyed reading it I felt it was a bit longer than it needed to be. This is the perfect vacation, beach or chill weekend read! It won’t disappoint I promise!
May 18, 2023
India is a country that is fascinating. The culture, languages, traditions, and mores are so different from American culture and have been around much longer than ours. As I read about the severe restrictions and obstacles that women face based only upon their gender and traditions, it really angers me. What these women have done to survive generation after generation is truly remarkable. I would have liked to have read about Kiran’s parents finding out about his bride and what Amma’s reaction was. That would have been enjoyable!!
November 16, 2011
Checked out from the library.
Review/Rating:
3 out of 5
2ND REVIEW. 1ST REVIEW IS HERE.
Megha is a dowry bride in India. One day, she overhears her husband and mother-in-low talk about how to murder her. For fear of her life, she runs away to the only place where they won’t think to find her. Kiran helps hide her from his wicked relatives. However, when they begin to have feelings for each other, will bring doom to them?
My feelings are pretty much the same as when I first read it. However, the redundancy got on my nerves more this time than the first time. And the fact that I that I had endure all of that without detailed smut just made my mood worse. >.>”
Anyways, like mentioned before, there is a lot of redundancy. For the first part of the book, it was really boring and makes you wonder why she put it there. Then, it turns out the author just repeats that part later on in the story, with only a little bit more detail. Also, this book is very slow paced with a little too much description. I was struggling to read the whole book again. :( It takes almost 200 pages for them to do gushy romantic things. :(
Even there isn’t any detailed smut, there is several gushy, giddy puppy-love romance. I don’t like reading that much romance without any kind of smut, if I do, I will read young adult books for it. There is sex mentioned and one not very detailed smut scene between Kiran and Megha, but other than that, you will get filled with romance and love. :X So those of you expecting more smut than romance, you will be disappointed, though, the romantic parts are (kind of) nice. ;)
It is sort of exciting with the characters, descriptions, and climaxes, but this book is not something I would read more than twice. The ending is very disappointing. I wish there was more of a complete ending as to whether or not Megha and Kiran get married or not. The point of this book, to me, was to mostly show women’s independence and how women, like men, can grow whenever something terrible happens and still lead a successful life. It is a good book to encourage women to take a stand in things they know isn’t right for them or others, but as far as romance goes, it isn’t. :(
Review/Rating:
3 out of 5
2ND REVIEW. 1ST REVIEW IS HERE.
Megha is a dowry bride in India. One day, she overhears her husband and mother-in-low talk about how to murder her. For fear of her life, she runs away to the only place where they won’t think to find her. Kiran helps hide her from his wicked relatives. However, when they begin to have feelings for each other, will bring doom to them?
My feelings are pretty much the same as when I first read it. However, the redundancy got on my nerves more this time than the first time. And the fact that I that I had endure all of that without detailed smut just made my mood worse. >.>”
Anyways, like mentioned before, there is a lot of redundancy. For the first part of the book, it was really boring and makes you wonder why she put it there. Then, it turns out the author just repeats that part later on in the story, with only a little bit more detail. Also, this book is very slow paced with a little too much description. I was struggling to read the whole book again. :( It takes almost 200 pages for them to do gushy romantic things. :(
Even there isn’t any detailed smut, there is several gushy, giddy puppy-love romance. I don’t like reading that much romance without any kind of smut, if I do, I will read young adult books for it. There is sex mentioned and one not very detailed smut scene between Kiran and Megha, but other than that, you will get filled with romance and love. :X So those of you expecting more smut than romance, you will be disappointed, though, the romantic parts are (kind of) nice. ;)
It is sort of exciting with the characters, descriptions, and climaxes, but this book is not something I would read more than twice. The ending is very disappointing. I wish there was more of a complete ending as to whether or not Megha and Kiran get married or not. The point of this book, to me, was to mostly show women’s independence and how women, like men, can grow whenever something terrible happens and still lead a successful life. It is a good book to encourage women to take a stand in things they know isn’t right for them or others, but as far as romance goes, it isn’t. :(
July 31, 2010
This was simply good entertainment. I can't say I was enlightened or learned anything new, but I was entertained. It's kinda chic lit with a dash of suspense.
The setting is modern day India. Megha has been married one year to a sickly, wimpy momma's boy with a mother from hell. One night, Megha overhears both her husband and MIL plotting to burn her alive because 1. her MIL just can't stand her. 2. Her dowry hasn't been paid. and 3. She hasn't had a baby yet. So it's action from page one as Megha runs for her life in the dead of night, escapes her MIL's clutches only to run into the arms of a potential rapist and escape him and eventually, ends up at Kiran's.
Kiran is THE MOST KIND, PERFECT, GENTLE, AND UNDERSTANDING man in the whole wide world. He is also Megha's cousin in law. But of course, he has been in love with the beautiful, submissive, perfect Megha from the moment he first laid eyes on her so he takes her in and vows to protect her forever. See where it gets it three star rating? This guy is so perfect, I wanted to vomit at times. I mean seriously, there are no men like this in the world and if there are, no offense intended,they are probably gay. This guy takes her shopping, buys her 6 outfits and then asks her to model them for him and I could go on about his fabulous traits but it would take all night.
So.. while dealing with their rising attraction to each other, Kiran and Megha must also keep her presence a secret cause her MIL still wants her dead.. The secret is bound to come out sometime. I liked the suspense but hated the damsel in distress thing. Megha was too weak for my taste. At one point, she even begins to commit suicide. I realize her options were minimal but just wholing yourself in some guy's apartment and cooking for weeks and playing wife with him..? Another thing I didn't like: All the charaters are either super super wonderful and kind like Kiran and Megha or super horribly cruel, mean, nasty, and ugly.
Good ending tho. Three stars.
The setting is modern day India. Megha has been married one year to a sickly, wimpy momma's boy with a mother from hell. One night, Megha overhears both her husband and MIL plotting to burn her alive because 1. her MIL just can't stand her. 2. Her dowry hasn't been paid. and 3. She hasn't had a baby yet. So it's action from page one as Megha runs for her life in the dead of night, escapes her MIL's clutches only to run into the arms of a potential rapist and escape him and eventually, ends up at Kiran's.
Kiran is THE MOST KIND, PERFECT, GENTLE, AND UNDERSTANDING man in the whole wide world. He is also Megha's cousin in law. But of course, he has been in love with the beautiful, submissive, perfect Megha from the moment he first laid eyes on her so he takes her in and vows to protect her forever. See where it gets it three star rating? This guy is so perfect, I wanted to vomit at times. I mean seriously, there are no men like this in the world and if there are, no offense intended,they are probably gay. This guy takes her shopping, buys her 6 outfits and then asks her to model them for him and I could go on about his fabulous traits but it would take all night.
So.. while dealing with their rising attraction to each other, Kiran and Megha must also keep her presence a secret cause her MIL still wants her dead.. The secret is bound to come out sometime. I liked the suspense but hated the damsel in distress thing. Megha was too weak for my taste. At one point, she even begins to commit suicide. I realize her options were minimal but just wholing yourself in some guy's apartment and cooking for weeks and playing wife with him..? Another thing I didn't like: All the charaters are either super super wonderful and kind like Kiran and Megha or super horribly cruel, mean, nasty, and ugly.
Good ending tho. Three stars.
April 22, 2011
I liked this book, it could have been worse. It was an easy read, the author's writing style, kind of killed the book for me. It made me skip pages because it seemed that she was going off on a tangent. The whole "dowry issue" seems a little old fashioned for most westerners but it still happens today. I applaud the author for writing on such a subject matter. However, that being said, I think it could have been a great story, but the characters were not well developed and it kind of seemed all over the place. Since it was my first time reading the author and it was not a bad book, I will read another novel by the author in hopes that her writing style has since developed. That is my opi.
January 9, 2011
I enjoyed this book, (which is a romance, and I don't generally like romance novels), because of the unique (to me) situation of the heroine, the Dowry Bride, who is trying to escape being murdered because her dowry wasn't paid. Plus all the background information about the social situation in India and the way women are treated. When i reached the end and discovered the author was born and raised in India and was, herself, a Dowry Bride,that increased my interest in what I had read. The writing is so-so, although the pacing is excellent.
This is definitely a novel for women only.
This is definitely a novel for women only.
August 27, 2012
The book started off with dowry issues and dowry brides. Growing up, I have heard several such stories about women as a daughter-in-law being ill-treated for dowry reasons or failure to produce a male child. Thank God women today has evolved and are no longer at the mercy of the husband's family. I thought Ajji's story and the entire reasoning was a little too predujiced and could have been avoided. The book read like a romantic novel somwhere in between and by the end I almost forgot what the book was all about in the first place. Hence a 2.5 (maybe) but not quite 3 star.
February 16, 2020
This was a interesting premise but a little too long. I kept feeling like I read this before - which means it was probably too predictable. The dialog and writing dragged.
There were a couple of parts that made me uncomfortable, I wish I would have highlighted it, but it had to deal with some judge-y parts with prejudicial undertones. The villains were all fat and dark skinned from lower castes.
There were a couple of parts that made me uncomfortable, I wish I would have highlighted it, but it had to deal with some judge-y parts with prejudicial undertones. The villains were all fat and dark skinned from lower castes.
January 3, 2013
The only reason it did not receive one star is that the book made me aware of bride burning in India. Otherwise, the writing is very stilted and naive. The author awkwardly defines Hindi terms within the narrative. The book gushes with sentimentality and cheap romantic scenes and conversations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2008
I love Shobhan Bantwal! She weaves such wonderful characters amidst a really serious problem. READ IT!!!
November 22, 2008
This is quite possibly the worse book I've read in 10 years! Got 3/4 way thru and quit! No voice...I couldn't hear any in my head when I was reading...and that's not a good thing.
October 31, 2019
The Dowry Bride is the story of a young 21 year old girl who runs away from her home when she realizes that her in-laws and husband are trying to kill her. How she manages to survive; where does she find the support and help to fight the odds and win. The book cover was the first thing that attracted me to the book and of course the topic of dowry, an ill that ails our society. It is a very aesthetically pleasing cover and the fire on the cover following the footsteps of a bride was a big pull for me to read the book as was the story.
This is also a book that made me think and wonder what exactly I wanted to share in my review. The Dowry Bride is a reflection of our society, urging us to take action and change our ways.
The twist in the plot is when she finds refuge in the home of a relative of her husband who is secretly in love with her. Kunal comes across as a solid, sensible and calm guy. He is her glimmer of hope, the one supporter for Megha to start a new life. I enjoyed reading their interactions and discussions. The caring nature was just what she needed to blossom. He was truly her knight in shining armor.
The story very astutely highlights the pitfalls our young girls face. How a beautiful, educated girl gets married to a lying, spineless guy. The tyrannical mother-in-law and total lack of support from her own family add to her woes as does the never ending, back-breaking work. The society that looks upon young girls as burdens to be shed off, rather than to be nurtured as family members.
Shobhan paints a true picture, scores of women face all this and more through their lives, just surviving and hoping for a change. Many are not so lucky as Megha and countless have lost their lives. The book creates awareness about this heinous crime and shares the story that could have been any young girls.
The character of her mother-in-law, Amma and her spineless husband Suresh are well etched, realistic. The cruel streak in Chandramma is so obvious that even I felt quite upset and angry; any one would wish to move out. The diabolical plan devised by them both is the catalyst in Megha’s escape. It is true; fear is a big motivator as well as a hindrance. She runs but knows not what to do next. Her escape is temporary since her in-laws are still searching for her. The lack of Dowry, the greed for more money has ruined many a lives.
Megha herself is a strong girl; even though she feels unsure of herself yet with Kunal’s support she not only survives but also achieves her goals. The book works on many levels. The premise is excellent; the escape is adventures as is her acceptance of her feelings for Kunal. Add to it the struggle she faces, along with disapproving relatives makes for a good read. The book was a bit slow for me in the middle wherein she is just holed up at Kunal’s house. I felt as if she is not trying to do anything but the situation changes soon enough. vcfx
The book has excellent language and the conversations just flow.
The plot has a lot of hidden twists with Ajji, Kunal’s grandmother and Appaji who supported Megha even though he could not do much. Attacks, goons, spies and enough hidden secrets to put any Saas-Bahu serial to shame The Dowry Bride has a solid story as well. Meghna manages to survive but just; she starts living after she almost dies. Their presence makes a lot of difference to Megha’s future, as well as adding a human touch to her story.
The author ends the story on a optimistic note while sharing a message of positivity making it a very apt ‘feel good read’. The book evokes many emotions and even though it talks of an evil practice it left me with a encouraging frame of mind. A book with a message of hope and a whole lot of love.
This is also a book that made me think and wonder what exactly I wanted to share in my review. The Dowry Bride is a reflection of our society, urging us to take action and change our ways.
The twist in the plot is when she finds refuge in the home of a relative of her husband who is secretly in love with her. Kunal comes across as a solid, sensible and calm guy. He is her glimmer of hope, the one supporter for Megha to start a new life. I enjoyed reading their interactions and discussions. The caring nature was just what she needed to blossom. He was truly her knight in shining armor.
The story very astutely highlights the pitfalls our young girls face. How a beautiful, educated girl gets married to a lying, spineless guy. The tyrannical mother-in-law and total lack of support from her own family add to her woes as does the never ending, back-breaking work. The society that looks upon young girls as burdens to be shed off, rather than to be nurtured as family members.
Shobhan paints a true picture, scores of women face all this and more through their lives, just surviving and hoping for a change. Many are not so lucky as Megha and countless have lost their lives. The book creates awareness about this heinous crime and shares the story that could have been any young girls.
The character of her mother-in-law, Amma and her spineless husband Suresh are well etched, realistic. The cruel streak in Chandramma is so obvious that even I felt quite upset and angry; any one would wish to move out. The diabolical plan devised by them both is the catalyst in Megha’s escape. It is true; fear is a big motivator as well as a hindrance. She runs but knows not what to do next. Her escape is temporary since her in-laws are still searching for her. The lack of Dowry, the greed for more money has ruined many a lives.
Megha herself is a strong girl; even though she feels unsure of herself yet with Kunal’s support she not only survives but also achieves her goals. The book works on many levels. The premise is excellent; the escape is adventures as is her acceptance of her feelings for Kunal. Add to it the struggle she faces, along with disapproving relatives makes for a good read. The book was a bit slow for me in the middle wherein she is just holed up at Kunal’s house. I felt as if she is not trying to do anything but the situation changes soon enough. vcfx
The book has excellent language and the conversations just flow.
The plot has a lot of hidden twists with Ajji, Kunal’s grandmother and Appaji who supported Megha even though he could not do much. Attacks, goons, spies and enough hidden secrets to put any Saas-Bahu serial to shame The Dowry Bride has a solid story as well. Meghna manages to survive but just; she starts living after she almost dies. Their presence makes a lot of difference to Megha’s future, as well as adding a human touch to her story.
The author ends the story on a optimistic note while sharing a message of positivity making it a very apt ‘feel good read’. The book evokes many emotions and even though it talks of an evil practice it left me with a encouraging frame of mind. A book with a message of hope and a whole lot of love.
May 23, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I love the idea of writing a novel about something that is sort of touchy or taboo, like dowries, and bringing it to the masses, but this book just completed missed the mark.
The main character, Megha, is really just unlikeable. She's incredibly sheltered, which is part of her culture to be fair, but it comes off in a VERY whiny and irritating way. She also makes incredibly DUMB decisions. The "hero" Kiran, is also just not believable. He falls in love with his cousin's wife immediately upon seeing her at the wedding?!?! Like, really? And then he risks everything to help her escape his OWN family? Its just too far-fetched even for a lover of fantasy and fictional chick-lit books.
There was also a lot of unnecessary storyline and hard to follow transitions to stories that happened in the past and were sort of irrelevant to the current situation the characters were in. The novel dragged out for over three hundred pages, but content wise there was really only 100 pages of real storyline. At least half of the entire book is spent in one apartment with the main character in hiding from everyone, it was incredibly repetitive. I thought the writing style seemed a bit forced as well. For example, the way the characters talked to each other and within their own inner dialogue was very amateur and not believable. Sort of what I would expect if the book was written for a young adult audience. However, some items, like details about sexual experiences and rape, make this very inappropriate for young adults, in my opinion. Further, the rape scene was an unnecessary addition to the novel and could have been avoided in MANY other ways that would have made more logical sense. The storyline about rape being a cultural problem is another novel altogether and feels thrown into this one. If that rape scene had happened early in the novel (instead of within the last 50 pages or so) I would have given the book up right then and there because it was so unnecessary.
I think the ideas were there, but this book just missed all the marks for me. I was disappointed because I so love reading about India and the rich cultural history and vibrant communities.
The main character, Megha, is really just unlikeable. She's incredibly sheltered, which is part of her culture to be fair, but it comes off in a VERY whiny and irritating way. She also makes incredibly DUMB decisions. The "hero" Kiran, is also just not believable. He falls in love with his cousin's wife immediately upon seeing her at the wedding?!?! Like, really? And then he risks everything to help her escape his OWN family? Its just too far-fetched even for a lover of fantasy and fictional chick-lit books.
There was also a lot of unnecessary storyline and hard to follow transitions to stories that happened in the past and were sort of irrelevant to the current situation the characters were in. The novel dragged out for over three hundred pages, but content wise there was really only 100 pages of real storyline. At least half of the entire book is spent in one apartment with the main character in hiding from everyone, it was incredibly repetitive. I thought the writing style seemed a bit forced as well. For example, the way the characters talked to each other and within their own inner dialogue was very amateur and not believable. Sort of what I would expect if the book was written for a young adult audience. However, some items, like details about sexual experiences and rape, make this very inappropriate for young adults, in my opinion. Further, the rape scene was an unnecessary addition to the novel and could have been avoided in MANY other ways that would have made more logical sense. The storyline about rape being a cultural problem is another novel altogether and feels thrown into this one. If that rape scene had happened early in the novel (instead of within the last 50 pages or so) I would have given the book up right then and there because it was so unnecessary.
I think the ideas were there, but this book just missed all the marks for me. I was disappointed because I so love reading about India and the rich cultural history and vibrant communities.
July 27, 2021
Dowry —a culturally-followed norm of paying the groom for "accepting" the bride in an arranged marriage setup— was rampant in India up until the 90s. While the current India boasts an increasing number of brides and grooms resolutely taking a stand against this ridiculousness, it is very much still a part of a traditional union orchestrated by the parents. At its pinacle, dowry has been a notorious stimulant for bride burning and divorces. The rationale, ironically, behind the exchange is the perceived superiority and propriety of one gender over the other. This review is based on the book The Dowry Bride, by Shobhan Bantwal, which sheds light on the aforementioned topic, allowing the reader an insight into the reality of how little a woman's life is worth in such societies.
Megha is a bright girl in her early 20s. She had been married for just over a year now. Far from being a giddy bride, she is exhausted from all the house chores that is expected of her. Nothing she does pleases her mother-in-law, a ruthless woman who knows no limits in her greed for status and money. One night Megha accidentally stumbles upon her mother-in-law plotting her murder with her son, Megha’s husband. Unfortunately for Megha, there is no one can she turn to! Her parents will not believe her, and even if they do, she will be sent right back. She lives in a society that prefers a dead daughter over one that is separated from her husband. What is she to do? How is she to save herself? The Dowry Bride is a tale of a runaway daughter-in-law, it is a tale of her survival against the odds.
The Dowry Bride is a very indulgent read. Bantwal is prolific as a writer and as a narrator. I love it that she keeps it very real and unembellished. The protagonist herself is far from perfect, and is seen subscribing to sexist opinions - more so from lack of exposure than anything else. The frustrating part, for me, is that the male protagonist, someone who is modern in his outlook, believes in knowing better than the woman concerned. Whether the author was aware of this, or she believed him to be having no flaws I cannot say. It’s just disheartening to read male characters that are supposedly feminists being subtlety sexist and going by the conventional standards of beauty. However, it doesn't change the fact that an orthodox community functions exactly so and the book has portrayed the reality. An open-minded, progressive reader is going to experience a lot of cringe moments. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining read full of drama. But I must add a caveat for triggers: trigger warning for miscarriage and trigger warning related to traumatic experiences with in-laws. Additionally, there are innumerable references to Hindu festivals and customs. The author does not shy away from calling out traditions that are unfair and misogynistic, therefore, making it potentially offensive for those who want to take offense. As for me, I will go with 4 stars.
#bibliophilebookreview
#shobhanbantwal
#thedowrybride
Link to my blog
https://borrowedforlightreadingandpad...
Megha is a bright girl in her early 20s. She had been married for just over a year now. Far from being a giddy bride, she is exhausted from all the house chores that is expected of her. Nothing she does pleases her mother-in-law, a ruthless woman who knows no limits in her greed for status and money. One night Megha accidentally stumbles upon her mother-in-law plotting her murder with her son, Megha’s husband. Unfortunately for Megha, there is no one can she turn to! Her parents will not believe her, and even if they do, she will be sent right back. She lives in a society that prefers a dead daughter over one that is separated from her husband. What is she to do? How is she to save herself? The Dowry Bride is a tale of a runaway daughter-in-law, it is a tale of her survival against the odds.
The Dowry Bride is a very indulgent read. Bantwal is prolific as a writer and as a narrator. I love it that she keeps it very real and unembellished. The protagonist herself is far from perfect, and is seen subscribing to sexist opinions - more so from lack of exposure than anything else. The frustrating part, for me, is that the male protagonist, someone who is modern in his outlook, believes in knowing better than the woman concerned. Whether the author was aware of this, or she believed him to be having no flaws I cannot say. It’s just disheartening to read male characters that are supposedly feminists being subtlety sexist and going by the conventional standards of beauty. However, it doesn't change the fact that an orthodox community functions exactly so and the book has portrayed the reality. An open-minded, progressive reader is going to experience a lot of cringe moments. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining read full of drama. But I must add a caveat for triggers: trigger warning for miscarriage and trigger warning related to traumatic experiences with in-laws. Additionally, there are innumerable references to Hindu festivals and customs. The author does not shy away from calling out traditions that are unfair and misogynistic, therefore, making it potentially offensive for those who want to take offense. As for me, I will go with 4 stars.
#bibliophilebookreview
#shobhanbantwal
#thedowrybride
Link to my blog
https://borrowedforlightreadingandpad...
January 20, 2021
While talking about the genuinely concerning trend and history of burning brides in India, the story itself lost interest when changing itself into a predictable romance. While predictability is not necessarily always a bad thing, the main issues were the antiquated ideas that were represented. Historical and cultural accuracy were followed, which is not a negative, but even when attempting to feature more modern ideals on morality, such as equality of the sexes and races, standard sexism and racism still showed itself. All of the villains were dark skinned, fat, stupid, and evil. The good characters were all beautiful, fair skinned, and of a certain caste. Others have pointed out, with better words than I have, about the problematic nature of Brahmin caste discrimination that was outlined in this book. If you wish for more details, I would continue reading.
TL;DR: Problematic despite the attempt to educate. Quick, effortless read.
TL;DR: Problematic despite the attempt to educate. Quick, effortless read.
June 18, 2022
This was in my book recommendations under historical fiction, which it is not. It is a modern day Hindi romance. I decided to give it a read, and regretted it. I am not the targeted audience, I am a white American woman so I understand there may be cultural differences I am not understanding, but don't sell your protagonist as a strong independent woman and then write lines like "It was nice having someone so pragmatic making decisions for me". Also, while I admit I don't understand or believe in a caste system, it seems like lazy writing to just attribute your antagonists behavior as "bad genes from her low caste father"
June 2, 2025
I JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER AND I EXPECT IT TO BE APPEALING. But in one publication it has one promising cover then why the need of change into this? Aside a realistic insight into our dowry system, how extreme in-laws would go (I'm skeptical about that part). Pathetic how rotten and baseless some traditions were. Still in practice and boasting without any ounce of shame. Let the world aware such customs masks under the glorified tag Indian culture and heritage. The author not only speaks of protagonist side, many subplots, each hav their own reasons and she portrayed beautifully. 💕( 28/68)
October 30, 2025
Story of a 21 year old girl who overhears her mother-in-law and husband plotting to kill her by burning her alive! Reading the story makes you feel her fear, helplessness and you want to keep reading what she is going . Megha, the protagonist, wonders how she got into her present situation where she is homeless. We go on her journey of finding her strength and standing in a society which sometimes hides certain evils in people who have good social standing. It is written for a broad audience, Indian and non-Indian so many Indian rituals and customs are explained.
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars. Well written and an interesting story of a “dowry bride” escaping a cruel, slave like situation with her husband’s family. This isn’t 50 years ago - it is more current. Book gives you insight on Indian culture. A love story enfolds. - there is a tug between want and what is accepted and expected.
NJ author.
NJ author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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