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The Wedding: A Novel
You’re invited to The Wedding, an electrifying novel about the joining of two South Asian families, and the secrets, resentments, and unspoken truths boiling just beneath the surface.
Interweaving themes of identity, culture clashes, and the immigrant experience as found in The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri with the exuberance and sharp humour of Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, Gurjinder Basran delivers a wide-ranging but intimate portrait of a vibrant, complex Sikh community.
Set in Vancouver and Surrey, BC, The Wedding exposes the inner lives of the wedding party, guests and event staff, in the lead-up to a lavish wedding. This novel, centered around the impending marriage of Devi and Baby, illustrates the union of two people, two families and all the ways in which an entire community bears witness, ensnares and uplifts itself.
Like all great Bollywood films, The Wedding is rife with family drama, steeped in tradition and an ode to love in all its forms. With humour, nuance and honesty, The Wedding spills the chai—exploring desire and expectation, suffering and judgment, class and race—all in search of a happy enough ever after.
Interweaving themes of identity, culture clashes, and the immigrant experience as found in The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri with the exuberance and sharp humour of Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, Gurjinder Basran delivers a wide-ranging but intimate portrait of a vibrant, complex Sikh community.
Set in Vancouver and Surrey, BC, The Wedding exposes the inner lives of the wedding party, guests and event staff, in the lead-up to a lavish wedding. This novel, centered around the impending marriage of Devi and Baby, illustrates the union of two people, two families and all the ways in which an entire community bears witness, ensnares and uplifts itself.
Like all great Bollywood films, The Wedding is rife with family drama, steeped in tradition and an ode to love in all its forms. With humour, nuance and honesty, The Wedding spills the chai—exploring desire and expectation, suffering and judgment, class and race—all in search of a happy enough ever after.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
5 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Gurjinder Basran
9 books106 followersGurjinder Basran’s debut novel, Everything Was Good-bye, was the winner of Mother Tongue Publishing's “Search for the Great BC Novel Contest” in 2010 and was awarded the 2011 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Gurjinder lives in British Columbia, Canada with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 6, 2025
Another well written book by Gurjinder Basran. Each chapter focuses on a different character and with so many characters, you risk losing good writing. However, that is not the case with this book - it is very well written and you get really invested into each character while the stories of each character help move the story along flawlessly! Highly recommend this book and this author.
September 19, 2025
Did a great job linking all the characters together! Was nice reading a book set in Vancouver, too. Ending felt mildly unsatisfying (Devi's character development felt incomplete), but epilogue was satisfying enough.
February 24, 2025
A true reflection on how Indian culture dictates behind the scenes of each Indian household. Living to be seen perfect for the community yet anything is less than perfect behind closed doors.
I would have liked a few more chapters on all the remaining characters.
I would have liked a few more chapters on all the remaining characters.
November 14, 2025
I loved this book. I first picked it up, and didn't finish as I wasn't engaged in the first chapter..I was confused and not certain who the characters were. However, I saw that each chapter is told by a different narrator, and the second time I tried the book, I was quickly interested in the story and how things unfold, as told by different characters.
A nice Canadian feel as well with BC setting.
A nice Canadian feel as well with BC setting.
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April 26, 2025Weddings are huge, pivotal life events, and as such, can kickstart self-reflections about their own lives and decisions among the people caught in the slipstream of the wedding planning and preparations. In this novel that's wise and insightful about human affairs, each chapter presents a character's contemplations about their own fortunes, a life review that's triggered by the upcoming wedding. The wedding is lavish, but in this time of public joy, a lot of characters are inhabited by regret or sorrow, or simply scarred by the exigencies of life.
all these characters and more are gently and empathetically illustrated for us, letting us see how they are managing to survive in their own way. A highly commendable novel.
all these characters and more are gently and empathetically illustrated for us, letting us see how they are managing to survive in their own way. A highly commendable novel.
Read
October 1, 2024I'm halfway through what I thought would be a fun to read story. The characters are so superficial that I wonder if Canadian South Asians shouldn't be insulted. I will persist as maybe it gets better.
Well I finished and would love to hear from people who loved it as to why. This reinforced my view that if you don't like a book by 100 pages it won't get better
Well I finished and would love to hear from people who loved it as to why. This reinforced my view that if you don't like a book by 100 pages it won't get better
March 26, 2025
THE RAT IN THE SKIRT.
April 17, 2025
A local writer who mentions neighborhoods that I'm familiar with and talks about a culture that surrounds us is a special treat.
October 5, 2024
A lovely little read. I loved her earlier title - Help! I’m Alive, which I read for White Pine a few years ago.
Surprisingly, it didn’t even bother me when she refers back to that title by including Peter, the father of Ash and Anik in a scene here. It usually drives me buggy when author’s do this, but here, it was natural and authentic with none of the self-indulgent “nudge nudge wink wink look at me” sense that usually accompanies such inclusions.
I did have a moment of pause - not long into it - when we meet Devi and she seems pretty superficial and is practically a social media influencer. My heart sunk that this was going to be(come) indistinguishable from any other terribly trope-y, trashy, vapid RomCom.
I should have had more faith - because in many ways that is what this novel is about.
What Basron delivers is a thoughtful, nuanced study of family, culture and community… with a specific interest in exploring the roles and values assigned to women across the generations.
In exploring the ways in which women hold the family/community franchise together, she pays particular attention to the secrets that women hold - in both their bodies and their minds… open secrets that are never discussed.
Piecing together what really are a series of vignettes, she builds her story over the days leading up to the wedding. By the time we get to the big day, we are treated to a particularly poignant scene with the bride’s grandmother, in tears:
“Over the next hour, she watched her granddaughter circle the Guru Granth Sahib four times, and with every turn she saw everyone she'd ever loved embodied in that child, that girl, that woman. Unknowingly, Devi carried-as they all had-their ancestors' hopes and dreams for a new beginning, something better. God willing.” (p211).
But, as we are reminded in the Epilogue, never underestimate how ruthless women can be in protection of their own.
4.5 rounded up to 5
Surprisingly, it didn’t even bother me when she refers back to that title by including Peter, the father of Ash and Anik in a scene here. It usually drives me buggy when author’s do this, but here, it was natural and authentic with none of the self-indulgent “nudge nudge wink wink look at me” sense that usually accompanies such inclusions.
I did have a moment of pause - not long into it - when we meet Devi and she seems pretty superficial and is practically a social media influencer. My heart sunk that this was going to be(come) indistinguishable from any other terribly trope-y, trashy, vapid RomCom.
I should have had more faith - because in many ways that is what this novel is about.
What Basron delivers is a thoughtful, nuanced study of family, culture and community… with a specific interest in exploring the roles and values assigned to women across the generations.
In exploring the ways in which women hold the family/community franchise together, she pays particular attention to the secrets that women hold - in both their bodies and their minds… open secrets that are never discussed.
Piecing together what really are a series of vignettes, she builds her story over the days leading up to the wedding. By the time we get to the big day, we are treated to a particularly poignant scene with the bride’s grandmother, in tears:
“Over the next hour, she watched her granddaughter circle the Guru Granth Sahib four times, and with every turn she saw everyone she'd ever loved embodied in that child, that girl, that woman. Unknowingly, Devi carried-as they all had-their ancestors' hopes and dreams for a new beginning, something better. God willing.” (p211).
But, as we are reminded in the Epilogue, never underestimate how ruthless women can be in protection of their own.
4.5 rounded up to 5
June 3, 2025
THE WEDDING is a perfectly constructed conversation about cultural and societal expectations, and about the deeply rooted and inescapable connections to community. Constructed around the unique perspectives of friends and family connected to the upcoming wedding of Baby and Devi, we feel this confinement and we watch while some lean into the comfort and security of tradition, while others kick down the door.
The novel opens with the perspective of Jasvir, the great aunt of the bride. As she greets her sister-in-law, the bride’s grandmother, it is obvious there are tensions. The complexities of tradition mixed up with the demands of not only keeping up with but showing up members of the local Indian community are on full display. The grandmother delivers the wedding invitation, along with a box of sweets – the groom’s family owns a sweets shop, and these are from a competitor – and it’s clear, the expectation is that Jasvir will notice, and that she will be impressed by all of it. Jasvir feels trapped in the family home, and with this visit, and a conversation with her daughter Ravi, we feel her sorrow at living a life not entirely of her choosing.
In a later chapter, Raman, the mother of the bride, watches her daughter at the wedding. She is both critical of, and moved by, the clichéd poetry in a slide show. “Love is the root, love is the fruit.” And she is sent into a full-on panic worried her daughter doesn’t know what she wants. “Women were raised to exist in relation to and invalidation of another – a mother, a sister, a daughter, a niece, a wife – and that is all she was: root and fruit.”
This strikes at the heart of the story, what life do we choose for ourselves and what life is decided for us? And inside all this, there is the question: what life do we deserve?
A rich and moving story about family, the ones we hate and the ones we love, and how we are never entirely free of them and who we’ve become because of them.
The novel opens with the perspective of Jasvir, the great aunt of the bride. As she greets her sister-in-law, the bride’s grandmother, it is obvious there are tensions. The complexities of tradition mixed up with the demands of not only keeping up with but showing up members of the local Indian community are on full display. The grandmother delivers the wedding invitation, along with a box of sweets – the groom’s family owns a sweets shop, and these are from a competitor – and it’s clear, the expectation is that Jasvir will notice, and that she will be impressed by all of it. Jasvir feels trapped in the family home, and with this visit, and a conversation with her daughter Ravi, we feel her sorrow at living a life not entirely of her choosing.
In a later chapter, Raman, the mother of the bride, watches her daughter at the wedding. She is both critical of, and moved by, the clichéd poetry in a slide show. “Love is the root, love is the fruit.” And she is sent into a full-on panic worried her daughter doesn’t know what she wants. “Women were raised to exist in relation to and invalidation of another – a mother, a sister, a daughter, a niece, a wife – and that is all she was: root and fruit.”
This strikes at the heart of the story, what life do we choose for ourselves and what life is decided for us? And inside all this, there is the question: what life do we deserve?
A rich and moving story about family, the ones we hate and the ones we love, and how we are never entirely free of them and who we’ve become because of them.
December 1, 2024
I don’t mind a little romance.
But there were a few things that made this one different.
When you surround the theme around an Indian wedding, it doesn’t follow the same pattern as an American, Hollywood story.
I could see this in a Bollywood film. Another thing I love is Bollywood. These don’t subscribe to the same rules as Hollywood……although the sex involved shows a bit of a cross.
The man is not the dirty cheater……
(a tiny spoiler coming up but not much)……there was no moment of honesty about infidelity where the better half says, I love you anyway.
I love the family, both the good and the bad of big families that all need to be involved in big events.
The generational nature of the families always makes me happy.
But there were a few things that made this one different.
When you surround the theme around an Indian wedding, it doesn’t follow the same pattern as an American, Hollywood story.
I could see this in a Bollywood film. Another thing I love is Bollywood. These don’t subscribe to the same rules as Hollywood……although the sex involved shows a bit of a cross.
The man is not the dirty cheater……
(a tiny spoiler coming up but not much)……there was no moment of honesty about infidelity where the better half says, I love you anyway.
I love the family, both the good and the bad of big families that all need to be involved in big events.
The generational nature of the families always makes me happy.
December 14, 2024
My book was published in 2024, and I read it in 2024. A contemporary human story about family, love, expectations, reality, coping with the differences in cultural, generational, and gender based traditions and expectations among the generations, as well as the immigrant story, which is similar among all ethnic/cultural groups.
In this particular book, both the author and the characters are situated in the south Asian diaspora, primarily within Canada. The wedding is a production that takes place in the lower mainland of British Columbia, with most of the adult parents, grandparents and other vast relatives having immigrated from India, mostly from the Punjab. Many stories and adventures and insights.
In this particular book, both the author and the characters are situated in the south Asian diaspora, primarily within Canada. The wedding is a production that takes place in the lower mainland of British Columbia, with most of the adult parents, grandparents and other vast relatives having immigrated from India, mostly from the Punjab. Many stories and adventures and insights.
August 20, 2025
Crazy rich Asians meets My big fat Greek Wedding except make it a story about two close Punjabi Canadian families preparing for the upcoming wedding between two of their adult children. Told from multiple POVs, this was both a funny and insightful/poignant look at South Asian culture and traditions and also a critique of the ableism that exists when it comes to ideas about suitable marriage partners.
When one of the sons becomes paralyzed after an accident, he basically becomes invisible, except to his best friend, a former fat girl who is now trying to negotiate her identity as someone who fits traditional beauty standards. I really liked the narration by Jeed Saddy. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to reading more by Canadian author Gurjinder Basran!
When one of the sons becomes paralyzed after an accident, he basically becomes invisible, except to his best friend, a former fat girl who is now trying to negotiate her identity as someone who fits traditional beauty standards. I really liked the narration by Jeed Saddy. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to reading more by Canadian author Gurjinder Basran!
October 4, 2024
I can confidently say without a doubt at this book is five stars. It was the easiest five stars that I could ever give to a book.Not only was it beautifully written each chapter could’ve easily been told as a single story on its own and then published just like that. starting from chapter 1 when I felt tears as well up, I knew I was in for a ride. Gurinder Basra methodically chose each word when writing for each character and it’s absolute poetry. I’m amazed how gifted of an author she is and I’m only just learning about her.
She finds ways for you to feel connected to each character, and it’s just floods of nostalgia.
She finds ways for you to feel connected to each character, and it’s just floods of nostalgia.
January 4, 2026
A story about the days and events leading up to a 21-st century traditional Indian wedding, set in Vancouver, BC. Each chapter is told from a different character's voice. I loved reading the personal narratives of the different generations within the family and some of the wedding event staff. It was a page-turner and the ending was not what I thought it would be. The last chapter has an interesting message that comes through because it is framed by the stories of the other relationships told earlier in the novel. It made me think! Highly recommend this short novel, and it would be a great book club selection because it meets criteria for length, enjoyment and discussion.
December 30, 2024
2.5-3 stars.
Pros- This book was an easy read, and built an engaging world and characters- especially for people familiar with the Vancouver-Sikh community. I kept turning the pages since it built a world which pulled you in and felt semi-real. The intertwining of the characters is what made the book pretty fun.
Cons- the book is not nearly as light as the back or the title makes it seem. This book is not satire- true satire and walking the line between the light and the insightful is hard to master. Here, we’re offered a vignette into every character’s background, but invariably every character has a very depressing backstory. Whether realistic or not is up to interpretation, I personally found it a bit much.
I’ll still give it near to 3 stars because the book and its plot was different- it definitely wasn’t a simple romcom. And for the little Vancouver world it built.
Pros- This book was an easy read, and built an engaging world and characters- especially for people familiar with the Vancouver-Sikh community. I kept turning the pages since it built a world which pulled you in and felt semi-real. The intertwining of the characters is what made the book pretty fun.
Cons- the book is not nearly as light as the back or the title makes it seem. This book is not satire- true satire and walking the line between the light and the insightful is hard to master. Here, we’re offered a vignette into every character’s background, but invariably every character has a very depressing backstory. Whether realistic or not is up to interpretation, I personally found it a bit much.
I’ll still give it near to 3 stars because the book and its plot was different- it definitely wasn’t a simple romcom. And for the little Vancouver world it built.
May 19, 2025
Read in one sitting. really want more from this author - love her work. These characters feel like people I truly know in real life, I’ve always thought ppl’s desire for “representation” was silly but this book really gets what it’s like to be a Punjabi in Canada. The love story between Gobind & Sonia (Nijjar!) is like…. My Actual Life Kinda…… And Jessie??? Baby??? Devi??? So real need more books asap
October 19, 2025
-like monsoon wedding, but in current times British Columbia
-a massive Punjabi wedding between a “good” and a not quite “good” enough family
-told from the perspective of different people involved, goes through their background and what they see happening
-lots of festivities and “logh kya kehenge”
-even brings the perspective and racism of the neighbours
-lots of family drama, insta drama and keeping up appearances
-a massive Punjabi wedding between a “good” and a not quite “good” enough family
-told from the perspective of different people involved, goes through their background and what they see happening
-lots of festivities and “logh kya kehenge”
-even brings the perspective and racism of the neighbours
-lots of family drama, insta drama and keeping up appearances
October 10, 2024
An interesting novel that promised a lot but never took off. At heart, I found the multiple narrators to much to take, but I understand why Gurjinder gave us so many voices. Kind of gives you a complete perspective of the many headaches of planning a Big Fat Indian Wedding.
A fun read, but also flattens for me in the end.
A fun read, but also flattens for me in the end.
November 29, 2024
It’s always odd to read a book set in my city, with landmarks and place names that I know.
The constantly changing points of view took a while to get used to, but overall I really liked this story of a community. The ending was…not what I was expecting and maybe tonally a little different from the rest of the story?
The constantly changing points of view took a while to get used to, but overall I really liked this story of a community. The ending was…not what I was expecting and maybe tonally a little different from the rest of the story?
January 17, 2025
It could have been a better novel had it not been so shallow, filled with two-dimensional characters! It is naive to think that people’s characters change overnight or when they get married. Given what we were told about Devi and her superficiality, I guess she will most likely tire of Baby before long!
And where would the happy ending be then?
And where would the happy ending be then?
February 15, 2025
This book wraps you into the folds of the community and explores all the different beliefs and customs that are inherent to their daily life. Even the depiction of the one neighbor who dislikes the wedding and events is handles with such gentleness, that you can see her point of view and how she too suffers in the same way as the other elders.
One of my favorites in a long time.
One of my favorites in a long time.
November 8, 2024
2.5
Could’ve been great but it was painfully two-dimensional. I liked the setting of Vancouver where I grew up and the how the author detailed the elaborate Indian wedding culture.
Read poolside which is rly the only context I’d recommend bc it was entertaining, dramatic and easy to follow!
Could’ve been great but it was painfully two-dimensional. I liked the setting of Vancouver where I grew up and the how the author detailed the elaborate Indian wedding culture.
Read poolside which is rly the only context I’d recommend bc it was entertaining, dramatic and easy to follow!
December 7, 2024
An easy and quick read but way too many POVs. I recognized a lot of the characters and issues but the sheer shallowness of most of the characters left me feeling very flat. But I liked the good news engagement at the end between two of nicest characters
May 22, 2025
This was a beautifully written novel which captured the family dynamics perfectly. It was flowing and lyrical and each of the intertwined stories stood on its own but still pressed the narrative forward. I wanted to know more about what happened to the families!
June 2, 2025
This could probably be more like a 2.5star
I enjoyed reading a novel set in areas that I am familiar with about South Asian families preparing for a wedding. However, I wish it had been longer and more time was spent developing these characters more.
I enjoyed reading a novel set in areas that I am familiar with about South Asian families preparing for a wedding. However, I wish it had been longer and more time was spent developing these characters more.
June 19, 2025
Perfect summer read. I greatly enjoyed this zingy, effervescent story about a large wedding in the Punjabi community in Vancouver, WA. While a light read, it was not without important concepts, cultural significance, and ultimately, good advice. Great ending, too!
August 16, 2025
Audiobook. If there were 1/2 stars, I might give it 2.5. It was fine as something to listen to on a road trip but otherwise, the characters were trite and the ending a disappointment in that it was predictable.
October 20, 2024
Enjoyable book. Easy read. I liked the epilogues at the end as many books leave you wondering.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews