A Bride's Story, Vol. 4

乙嫁語り [Otoyomegatari] #4

by Kaoru Mori (Other)

Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori's tale of life on the nineteenth-century Silk Road turns westward, following Englishman Mr. Smith on his long journey to Ankara. Passing through a fishing village along the Aral Sea, Smith and his guide encounter a pair of spirited young girls named Laila and Leily-identical twins who are fishing not for sturgeon, but for husbands! Despite their efforts to find two wealthy, healthy, and handsome brothers to wed, Laila and Leily's plans generally only land them in loads of trouble!

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Romance, Comics, Historical, Fiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2012

About the author

Kaoru Mori (森 薫) is a Japanese manga author. Her stories tend to be intricately drawn female lead historical dramas set in exotic locations like Britain and along the silk road. Her series include Emma (2002-2008), Shirley (2003-present) and the best known A Bride's Tale (2008-present).

Reviews

[Elizabeth A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment could be subtitled "Double Trouble."

In this volume, we stop at a fishing village along the Aral Sea, and tumble headlong into the lives of young, loud, and troublesome Laila and Leily, The twins are not fishing for fish, well, they do that too, but they are really fishing for husbands. After all, their father doesn't seem to have his act together, and they are rather impatient. Their (mis)adventures made me smile, and I was rooting for them the entire time. The art continues to be astoundingly good, and I really liked getting a look at this community and their clothing style, etc.

I look forward to seeing where this story goes.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's so, so pretty. Of course it is. I've never known Kaoru Mori to do anything but lovely, fully researched art. But this volume... I'm just glad the twins haven't been the stars from the start. If they had been, I wouldn't have gotten to volume four. I hate characters that only communicate by shouting, and that's the twins in a nutshell. By the midpoint of the book, it was painful to slog through their scenes. And even when they weren't shouting, they just weren't likeable. Hopefully, the next volume will be light on the twins. Better yet would be if they aren't around at all.

[Jocilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bride's Story v.4 is incredibly cute! While Smith (a linguist?) is detained pretending to be a doctor for the inhabitants of an entire region of Asia, the story focuses on the twins, Laila and Leily, as they go about looking for husbands. In a seaside town, these adorable twins girls hatch a half dozen impossible schemes to find rich, handsome husbands before their family eventually pairs them up with some boys they grew up with. After the four go on cute, if less than romantic dates they eventually pair off and decide the boys aren't as worthless as they thought. However, as opposed to the other brides' stories from this series, Laila and Leily, who are flighty as nymphs and have only been apart for two days in their entires lives have a rather rude awakening in store for them in the form of some grueling married woman bootcamp training courtesy of a very worried mother. It made me so jealous I almost cried! There's definitely more manga-like slapsticky content than in past Bride's Story volumes, but the girlhood was just adorable and the seaside culture was a welcome switch.

Oh! And there is a really cute chapter on how some of the local women met their husbands that had me "aww"ing.

[First Second Books]

Another installment in this fascinating and sweet-natured look at life in 19th century central Asia. I've never been so excited about textiles in my life as I am when I'm reading these books.

[Ignacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divertido entreacto con nuevos personajes en el que se enfoca el tema del matrimonio desde la comedia juvenil. Se me ha hecho un pelín largo, pero las sonrisas han estado ahí.

[Jesus Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Mr Smith on his travel to meets Laila and Leily twin girls who want more than anything to get husbands, so they tried to get one by causing an accident and recuing him, which fail, then they simulate being in peril, and again fail making dad angy once more, then grandma sends them to prepare a curse to get a husband, which is actually a trick to make them do house chores and make dinner. Finnally her Dad think they mig be good for local sons of friend fishing buddy, actaully the boys and girls had been Friends since kids but had never seen the possibility. While the dads discuss the wedding Price, the boys and girls go on date to decide who marries who, and find their selection to be good. Mr Smith decide to stay a more time to witness the wedding, maybe to happen in next volumen.

So the twins are fun and their plots even funnier, but is sad how fixated they are in getting husbands, I guess its historically accurate but still.
The chapter where the mother makes them learn house chores and do their wedding dresses is interesting culturally, and fun to read

And as always, the art drawing is magnificent

[Bogi Takács · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars I guess. Englishman gets temporarily booted out of the story in favor of two twins on the shores of the Aral Sea, which is IMO a good decision (see my previous review). Finally the characters wear everyday clothing. The relentless focus on marriage grinds me down, though; I know this is a series explicitly about marriage, but as it is also set in cultures distant from most of the readers in space and time, it kind of makes the association that these people's lives were ALL about marriage. This bothers me (especially as a descendant of steppe nomads!). Certainly, marriage is extremely important, but this is a rather skewed portrayal.

It reminds me of a quote I can't locate online any longer, so I'm trying to quote from memory (I sadly also don't remember who said it) - "My conrace is totally military - this is like saying my conlang is totally ejectives". By analogy, this series makes it look like Central Asia is totally marriage.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the integration of the politics into this one and the threat of Russia... but really, my favorite was the twins. THEY ARE SO AWESOME! I cannot wait for the next issue, and not just because it will be "clear with a chance of sheep" but because I cannot wait for their wedding!

[khaz. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came for the historical fiction and stayed for the sitcom

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Summary

Bride’s Story switches from melodrama to sitcom with two new brides, the twins Laila and Leily. These Aral Sea girls are very different from the women encountered so far, but marriage is just as important to them! With their father slow to bring them prospects, they take matters into their own hands with ridiculous results. Volume 4 definitely has a modern ditzy-girl-desperate-to-find-Mr.-Right flavor, but despite the silliness, Mori-sensei continues to beautifully showcase different aspects of life from this time period.

The Review

Volume 3 hinted that trouble might be stirring for Amir’s native clan, and in Volume 4, we discover just how bad things get when a clan can’t provide a necessary bride. The opener is tense with the Halgal facing potential starvation, and Amir’s brother and his companions get the dangerous task of negotiating an alliance with another clan. Even beyond the Halgal, emotions are running high in the region, with everyone from Russians to Persians to tribesmen on edge. Mori-sensei’s illustrations are excellent as usual, and she inserts stunning scenes of wolves that parallel the ongoing human drama.

The story then steps back from the broader geopolitical situation to focus on more personal matters–namely marriage. The tone quickly goes from suspenseful to comical with marriage talks for Pariya. This episode is relatively brief, but those who like the outspoken, slightly surly baker girl will enjoy the two new characters who take up the rest of the volume: the twins Laila and Leily.

Much about these fishing village girls will appeal to modern readers. They’re spunky. They’re loud. They talk back to their elders. They’re also like Amir in that they’re very athletic, but the place where they shine isn’t on horseback with bow and arrows, but in the water with nets and baskets. Their chapters are full of illustrations of them swimming, and they make their grand splash of an entrance by rescuing Mr. Smith from drowning.

Despite these traits, the young teens know very well that they must marry, and indeed are already concerned about becoming old maids. The way they go about their dilemma, however, is very modern. Having grown impatient waiting for their father to find them prospects, they decide to get their own grooms. Their selection criteria, though, is best described as shallow, and ditzy as they are, the story turns into a sitcom as the girls fail over and over to catch a “big fish.”

The comedy continues when dad finally finds their less than ideal matches. The story does take a sentimental tone as the girls warm up to their fiancés but drops right back into comedy with mom giving her slacker daughters a crash course in bridehood. As the reluctant students suffer through their mother’s teachings, readers get a glimpse of what marriage negotiation, wedding preparations, and the role of women in an Aral Sea fishing village are like. The story wraps up just before the double wedding, and like Mr. Smith, I’m looking forward to the celebration.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bride's Story is a slice of life story and the majority of this volume is self-contained and thus is a fine starting point. That said it does build off elements and characters introduced in earlier and I would recommend starting at the beginning.

** This review contains no spoilers for volume 4, but will have mild ones for previous volumes. **

We start with a chapter revisiting some old friends from volumes 1 and 2. It's nice to get a glimpse of what's going on with Amir, Karluk, Pariya, etc. It's also great to known Mori's not done with these beloved characters.

The remainder of this volume continues along with Mr. Smith to a new village and then settles it's focus on a new bride. Or rather "brides", in this case. Young twins Laila and Leily are more interested in catching future husbands than the fish their village trades in and decide to take matters into their own hands. The schemes and plans they enact are ridiculous and mischievous in an endearing way. Their energy is infective and amusement with this rambunctious pair unavoidable. They're not quite as strong leads as Amir, but that's a very slight criticism.

With the spotlight on this set of brides with both less maturity and troubles than Amir or Tala Mori has changed the tone of her epic again, giving us something a bit lighter. Yet it's just as carefully crafted as previous volumes and retains the same atmosphere and small touches that unify the various tales in the manga.

After four volumes I'm running out of ways to properly describe the art. As with the entire series to this point the art is absolutely incredible, intricately detailed beyond belief and easily among the best I've ever seen.

Volume 4 brings more changes and new faces to A Bride's Story without any loss of quality or momentum.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm totally in love with this manga!!! It's a continuing story, but adds new characters every issue. Like those two mischievous twins who are determined to marry rich, despite their father's lack of motivation in that area. I laughed so hard at their antics! But those older, beloved characters pop in, too. We get to see Amir, her young husband, and their firecracker niece are up to. And let's not forget the European "doctor." He's the one who runs into those twins and gets sucked into their lives for a little while. I'm not sure where his romance with the widow from issue #3 is headed, but there was a little clue at the end to keep me from giving up hope.

And the drawings are sooo detailed. It's a work of art in more ways than one. I want to buy all the books and keep them forever. I'm too broke to do so now, though. I hope I can get my hands on the library copies asap!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it! La historia de las gemelas Laila y Leila en busca de esposos fue hilarante, y el pobre señor Smith atascado con su labor de "doctor". Al igual que los tres anteriores volúmenes, este no estuvo falta de emociones del día a día y una buena dosis de cultura, en especial sobre bodas, durante esa época. Como siempre, un halago a los bellos y finos trazos, delicados detalles y hermosos personajes que presenta esta historia. Sin embargo, extrañé un poco saber sobre los principales protagonistas.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art style is just TOO PRETTY!!!
Though this volume was a side story from our main characters, I still truly enjoyed the dialogue that was being shared in this particular volume.
We focus on twin girls who are of marrying age. They have always done things together, and aren't typically looked at as individuals. Enter 2 boys they have grown up with, who are potential grooms. They spend some time going on dates with the boys, and they let their individual tastes shine! It's beautiful, and I highly recommend this series on every level!

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork is consistently excellent, however, there is such a deviation from the original characters that I'm starting to get frustrated. I like that women continue to be the primary focus, (and the customs around their role in society on the Silk Road) but I'm starting to think the author has ADD. Focus! We got a brief glimpse of our original characters in this volume, but quickly were consumed by the antics of the twins on the cover.

[Majo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compensando la melancolía del tomo anterior, éste es para matarse de risa.

Las gemelas Laila y Leily son absolutamente adorables! ❤

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

can this get even better? love it!!!

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique and enjoyable series!

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the author realized Pariya is one of the best characters in this story, so now there's two of her, in the form of twins. The twins are hilarious and it's a good time.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made me laugh at some of the twins' antics!

[Luana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

Ragazzine vivaci e dove trovarle. Questo potrebbe essere il titolo giusto per il volume quattro, in cui facciamo la conoscenza delle gemelle Laila e Leili. Due vulcani di energia che non sanno stare ferme (o zitte) per più di cinque minuti - niente a che vedere con l'immagine classica delle figlie ubbidienti, tranquille, attente alla cura della casa. Manco per sbaglio. Siccome sono in età da marito, le due si sono fatte un identikit dello sposo ideale: due fratelli (perché non hanno alcuna intenzione di separarsi), giovani, belli, sani e, cosa fondamentale, ricchi. Insomma, non è che si accontentano dei primi che passano per la strada. Visto che il padre non si espone sull'argomento matrimonio, le due provano a fare di testa loro, con scarsi risultati, finché non si fa avanti un amico di famiglia che propone i suoi due figli più grandi, Saam e Saami. Inizialmente le due ragazze non sono molto convinte (nemmeno i ragazzi, a dirla tutta) e sono dell'idea che "uno vale l'altro". Poi impareranno a conoscersi meglio. Laila trova in Saam una persona decisamente accomodante, che sta a sentire a tutto quello che ha da dire, mentre Leili si trova più a suo agio con Saami. E così, anche perché queste due pazze scalmanate (non hanno alcun tipo di timore revenziale, non sentono mai il bisogno di censurarsi o di darsi un tono) arriva il momento tanto atteso. Due fratelli per due gemelle. Rimarranno sempre vicine, ma questa volta ognuna delle due sarà chiamata a costruirsi la propria famiglia.
Nel novero delle ragazzine vivaci troviamo anche Pariya - spesso etichettata come scorbutica e attaccabrighe, ma in realtà forse è solo timida e non sa come sentirsi a suo agio con gli altri -, ma anche in questo caso, sembra che ci sia qualcuno che è rimasto colpito e a cui non dispiacerebbe l'idea di prenderla in moglie quando arriverà il momento.
Seguendo la storia delle gemelle, vediamo anche come procede il viaggio di Smith e Ali verso Ankara (ora sono sulle sponde del Lago d'Aral), con il primo che forse non ha ancora dimenticato i fatti del volume precedente (chissà chi è la persona che ha raccolto il suo orologio da taschino 🤔). Certo, ora è bello impegnato visto che, evitare di destare i sospetti dei russi, gli tocca presentarsi come medico...se non altro, sa fare bene il suo lavoro, visto che c'è sempre la fila fuori dalla porta!
Come sempre i disegni sono meravigliosi, ma anche la storia si sta facendo più interessante.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth volume and this time Smith gets stuck in a village, we meet twins Leyli and Layla as they try to get married.


It’s been a while since I read this series, I keep forgetting about it despite it being a great read every time! I guess I should really get to buying one volume each month! Will be starting with that in April as I kind of went through my March budget already (I always buy a stack of books from Amazon each month at the beginning of the month).

In this book we see very little of Smith, most of the book is focussed on the cute girls, twins, that you see on the cover. I just loved Leyli and Layla! They were absolutely adorable and I love that they had their own will. They weren’t going to be put off by anything. I loved how dedicated they were to finding a husband and made up all sorts of plots to get a man (including one that involved throwing a fish at a rich looking man to get him in the river and then to save him). Of course, the plots all go awry, and the girls’ father isn’t amused by their antics. Haha. I laughed so hard at all the things these girls got up to. I do love though that they were so eager to get married. They don’t look very old, 15/16, but I guess that is old enough for them to want to get married.

And so we meet Sami and Sam (or Samaan and Farsaami but everyone shortens their names). Two boys who look very much like each other. They are a bit like Layla and Leyli in the way that they want freedom and keep their dreams. However unlike the girls they aren’t that into marrying. But arrangements are made and I just loved how they decided to go on dates. That was just so adorable to see and I loved seeing that the pairing that the dad made actually work. I don’t really see it as a spoiler, I mean the marriage is arranged and all that, they just need to figure out which girl to match with which brother. I loved the dates. I mean, they aren’t like the dates that we know. These dates involve climbing trees and fishing. I loved the banter between the brothers and the sisters and I loved seeing them get closer each day.

I had such a laugh at the 22nd chapter as that one was kind of like a bootcamp just for the girls to get ready for their wedding. Yes, these girls are a tad lazy and mom doesn’t just want to let them go without making sure they are fine. Making sure that they can handle things and know what to pass on should they get children. The ending of this chapter definitely had me in tears. Awww~

I am a bit sad that we didn’t see a lot of Smith in this one, hopefully next volume will feature some more of his journeys (and hopefully he doesn’t get stuck helping out villages as he does in this one).

I loved seeing Yusuf, Karluk, and Amira again! So happy that things are going well for them. I am quite curious if we will see more of Pariya and the boy she may be going to marry.

All in all, I love loved this volume and I will be getting another one soon!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the fourth volume in A Bride’s Story series. I received this book as a birthday gift.

Story (4/5): Most of this story is focused around Mr. Smith again as he tries to continue his journey to Ankara. When he falls off his camel into the ocean, Mr. Smith is saved by two precocious young women, the twins Laila and Leily. Most of this book deals with Laila and Leily as they try to find husbands and are eventually married to two brothers who they have grown up with. The story also talks about some issues with Amir’s tribe and the Russians to the north, I wasn’t a huge fan of these political talks. Again, this is very much “a day in the life of” type of story; I enjoyed it but it isn’t really all that exciting.

Characters (5/5): I continue to enjoy watching Mr. Smith navigate these foreign cultures, he’s a fun character and watching him serve the town as a doctor (which he is not) was entertaining. Laila and Leily were incredibly fun as well and full of energy. Seeing their goals and ambitions and how they fit in this culture was entertaining. All the characters in this series have been great to read about, they are generally caring and kind and just fun to read about.

Setting (4/5): The seaside small town setting was fun and I continue to enjoy the look into the culture and history of this region and time.

Writing/Drawing Style (4/5): This is well written and absolutely beautifully drawn. It is an incredibly high quality manga and I have been enjoying reading it. I am adjusting to the fact that this is more of a wandering “a day in the life” type of series. I would still love to see some more action in here, but this just isn’t that kind of story.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this is a very well done manga that is beautifully drawn and well written. I enjoy it but I don’t love it because the pace is a bit slow for me. I do enjoy the look into the history of a different culture and the characters are well done. I would highly recommend this to those who really like “a day in the life of” types of historical fiction. I personally don’t plan on picking more of these volumes up, they are a bit expensive and hard to get and I don’t love them enough to keep making that sort of investment in them.

[lesaventuresdesalomé · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'adore les jumelles elles sont super funs et leurs aventures pour trouver deux maris sont drôles. On voit que les femmes avaient leurs propres techniques pour se procurer un mari. C'est sympa de voir une autre culture au bord de la mer d'Aral, plus centrée sur la pêche. L'entraînement au mariage était fun mais la séparation de la mère et de ses filles avec le mariage était très touchante.

[Coke Fernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[Ostrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! The twins are awesome!

[Walkíria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite happy and fun twins, hope their marriage works out for good

[Vi's Reviews in One Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humour that turns surprisingly touching

[Nicole Buettner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least favorite in the series so far. We've pretty much left all the original characters behind. Still love the artwork though.