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The Marriage Bureau for Rich People #2
The Many Conditions of Love
Can true love triumph in the face of fierce family opposition? Mr Ali's marriage bureau is flourishing but trouble isn't far away once son Rehman begins secretly to woo TV journalist Usha in the small cafes and on the beautiful beaches of South Indian Vizag in an ill-advised romance. Meanwhile the lovely Aruna has a problem or two all her own. She enjoys being Mr Ali's right-hand woman at the marriage bureau, having a wonderful husband Ram, and living in a mansion a far cry from her parents' cramped one-room house; but how long can Aruna remain happy once her spiteful sister-in-law Mani comes home to stay? When Usha's father finds out about Rehman, a Muslim, the fat is in the fire. And what will Mr and Mrs Ali have to say when they discover too their son has been dating a non-Muslim?
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
Farahad Zama
8 books118 followersFarahad Zama was born in Vizag on the Eastern coast of India in 1966. After obtaining a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Engineering at Kharagpur, near Kolkata, he moved to Mumbai to work for an investment bank. An arranged marriage to a Vizag girl soon followed. His career took him to New York, Zurich and Luxembourg and finally brought him to London for six months. Sixteen years later, Farahad is still in South London with his Vizag girl and two Croydon-born boys.
Farahad works in the City and writes on his commute and at weekends. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is his first novel. He is delighted with its success – it was a Richard & Judy and Daily Mail book of the month, short listed for Best New Writer of the Year at the British Book Awards, Best Published Fiction at the Muslim Writers Awards and Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy and Romance. The book is being translated into eight languages.
Zama's second and third novels, The Many Conditions of Love,and The Wedding Wallah, continues the story of Mr. Ali's "Marriage Bureau."
Farahad works in the City and writes on his commute and at weekends. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is his first novel. He is delighted with its success – it was a Richard & Judy and Daily Mail book of the month, short listed for Best New Writer of the Year at the British Book Awards, Best Published Fiction at the Muslim Writers Awards and Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy and Romance. The book is being translated into eight languages.
Zama's second and third novels, The Many Conditions of Love,and The Wedding Wallah, continues the story of Mr. Ali's "Marriage Bureau."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 23, 2011
In 2009 I had reviewed a book “The Marriage bureau for the rich people”, if you revisit the review you will see that I had loved the book for its simplicity & the way the author had described the small town demeanor. There was something about the book that had reminded me of my childhood summers.
Last year while I was browsing through internet I realised that the author has come up with a sequel of the book and needless to say I was excited to find it for two reasons
a- I had loved the 1st book
b- The 1st book had indeed ended on a note where there were many stories screaming to be told so I knew that the premise of thee sequel would be good.
The 2nd book, “The Many Conditions of Love” continues from where The Marriage bureau for the rich people had left. Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau is thriving and so is his relationship with his wife & assistant Aruna. In the current book there are 3-4 parallel stories running which connect at some point or the other.
Aruna is now happily married to Ramanujam but her happiness is short-lived because her problems begin when her Sister in Law comes to stay with them for her delivery. The latter never leaves an opportunity to bring to the fore the poor background of Aruna’s family. Will Aruna give away to the pressure & return home or will she manage to make a place at her in-laws place?
Mr. Ali’s reclusive son is now back in Vizag & in love with a modern fiery journalist Usha. Their contrasting personalities & religion not withstanding they fall for each other hard. But Life can not be simple & straightforward & thus they face an obstacle in the name of religion. Will their love survive the odds?
Pari, a young widow & Rehman’s cousin; post her mourning period is trying to make a life for herself & trying to be independent. Now this was one track that I liked the most (besides Aruna’s track) because of the grit of the girl to be independent. Besides that there is a hint of something brewing between Rehman & Pari but nothing really happens leaving the readers gasping for more in this relationship.
Then there is Vasu the orphaned grandson of a farmer known to Rehman. Young Vasu comes to stay with Mrs. & Mr. Ali giving them & Pari a purpose in life.
The book is a page turner in a true sense. The multiple tracks keep you glued to the book. Like his previous book the author Farhad Zama scores brownie points on the description of the lifestyle of a small city. Despite the urgency & the drama in the relationships there is laziness lurking around in the book all thanks to the setting. This book talks at length about different relationships & the disparities in them. On the one hand there is the talk of inter-religion relationship & on the other hand there is a rich poor relationship discussed at length. What remains at the core is the fighting spirit in people to survive all odds.
However does that mean I loved the book?
No!
For me The Many Conditions of Love was just another book talking about relationships. The stories told here have nothing novel about them, I am sure we have read similar stories somewhere. What made The Marriage Bureau for Rich People stand out was the fact that the author was serving us something new, it was a simple story rich in culture. The sequel lacks that magic, the small town setting is well described & lends authenticity but in totality the book falls short of the previous one because it offers nothing new. In fact the book is full of inherent sadness which sometimes makes it depressing. Even the ending is open ended which I have always hated (if you know me then you already know this) because I want closure. But then the open ending leaves a scope for another sequel.
If that is the case then I hope that the author thinks hard before offering us just another book because I feel that he has different stories to tell us and that too differently :-)
My Rating: 3 on 5 for writing & setting but 2.5 to the story
Last year while I was browsing through internet I realised that the author has come up with a sequel of the book and needless to say I was excited to find it for two reasons
a- I had loved the 1st book
b- The 1st book had indeed ended on a note where there were many stories screaming to be told so I knew that the premise of thee sequel would be good.
The 2nd book, “The Many Conditions of Love” continues from where The Marriage bureau for the rich people had left. Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau is thriving and so is his relationship with his wife & assistant Aruna. In the current book there are 3-4 parallel stories running which connect at some point or the other.
Aruna is now happily married to Ramanujam but her happiness is short-lived because her problems begin when her Sister in Law comes to stay with them for her delivery. The latter never leaves an opportunity to bring to the fore the poor background of Aruna’s family. Will Aruna give away to the pressure & return home or will she manage to make a place at her in-laws place?
Mr. Ali’s reclusive son is now back in Vizag & in love with a modern fiery journalist Usha. Their contrasting personalities & religion not withstanding they fall for each other hard. But Life can not be simple & straightforward & thus they face an obstacle in the name of religion. Will their love survive the odds?
Pari, a young widow & Rehman’s cousin; post her mourning period is trying to make a life for herself & trying to be independent. Now this was one track that I liked the most (besides Aruna’s track) because of the grit of the girl to be independent. Besides that there is a hint of something brewing between Rehman & Pari but nothing really happens leaving the readers gasping for more in this relationship.
Then there is Vasu the orphaned grandson of a farmer known to Rehman. Young Vasu comes to stay with Mrs. & Mr. Ali giving them & Pari a purpose in life.
The book is a page turner in a true sense. The multiple tracks keep you glued to the book. Like his previous book the author Farhad Zama scores brownie points on the description of the lifestyle of a small city. Despite the urgency & the drama in the relationships there is laziness lurking around in the book all thanks to the setting. This book talks at length about different relationships & the disparities in them. On the one hand there is the talk of inter-religion relationship & on the other hand there is a rich poor relationship discussed at length. What remains at the core is the fighting spirit in people to survive all odds.
However does that mean I loved the book?
No!
For me The Many Conditions of Love was just another book talking about relationships. The stories told here have nothing novel about them, I am sure we have read similar stories somewhere. What made The Marriage Bureau for Rich People stand out was the fact that the author was serving us something new, it was a simple story rich in culture. The sequel lacks that magic, the small town setting is well described & lends authenticity but in totality the book falls short of the previous one because it offers nothing new. In fact the book is full of inherent sadness which sometimes makes it depressing. Even the ending is open ended which I have always hated (if you know me then you already know this) because I want closure. But then the open ending leaves a scope for another sequel.
If that is the case then I hope that the author thinks hard before offering us just another book because I feel that he has different stories to tell us and that too differently :-)
My Rating: 3 on 5 for writing & setting but 2.5 to the story
October 15, 2019
2019 bk 238. Book #2 in the Marriage Bureau for Rich People series. In this story, Mr. Ali's marriage bureau is still hard at work making matches. Aruna is still working for him and, so far, happily newly married. But her sister-in-law is returning home to have her second child and she is mean and spiteful and doesn't think Aruna is good enough to be married into her family. Mr. Ali's son falls in love with a Hindu television star whose father is very controlling, and unhappy with the idea of his daughter marrying a Muslim. There are more sub plots going on that go into making this family and city in India a fun place to visit through this novel.
November 7, 2024
{3.5}
I did like the reading but I did get a little bored in the start, I loved Aruna's parts tho.. its probably just personal preferences,, I do want to read the next book tho cause I've heard that its Pari's story and I really like her!!
I did like the reading but I did get a little bored in the start, I loved Aruna's parts tho.. its probably just personal preferences,, I do want to read the next book tho cause I've heard that its Pari's story and I really like her!!
November 30, 2025
I didn't like this one. I'm still interested in this world, and I want to know what happens to these characters, but I started to feel shortchanged.
February 11, 2024
I enjoyed the characters in the continuation of the story!
July 31, 2012
(Should be 4.5/5 stars.)
Take a little time if you can to read this delightful story. You don't need to have read its predecessor, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People; this one covers all the necessary information in exposition.
This book is essentially a novel version of an Indian soap opera, in the best, least judgmental way possible. It has compelling characters and a compelling (if familiar) set of storylines. Anyone would enjoy it, though the more you know about Indian culture, the more you'll appreciate it. Highly recommended!
Take a little time if you can to read this delightful story. You don't need to have read its predecessor, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People; this one covers all the necessary information in exposition.
This book is essentially a novel version of an Indian soap opera, in the best, least judgmental way possible. It has compelling characters and a compelling (if familiar) set of storylines. Anyone would enjoy it, though the more you know about Indian culture, the more you'll appreciate it. Highly recommended!
August 25, 2023
Easy going read
October 23, 2011
Mr. Ali runs a wedding bureau. His son, Rehman, is a khadi-clad idealist, with visions of a equanimous society. Rehman is quietly in love with TV journalist Usha. Usha is as ambitious and independent, confident and consummate, comes from a wealthy family and drives her own car, and is Hindu.
Mr. Ali's assistant Aruna is married into a rich family, and has a wonderful husband. But things turn a little sour when her sister-in-law arrives home again and is none too subtle in her contempt for Aruna and her poor background.
When I started reading this book I was a little skeptical: this was not going to be the prodigious literary sumptus the cover promised. Instead, it was an all-too-obvious recipe for an Indian movie with the usual trappings of cliched love, family and cultural clashes. I imagined an English graduand, married well to grammar and syntax, equipped with a penchant for mid-afternoon censorship, who decided to tell a story and got away with having had it published.
Soon, however, this gave way to reluctant resensation, and then to unabashed entanglement within the story; the ugly duckling had taken flight and turned into a powerful drama worthy of Cannes. The prose relayed in earnest, which gave rise to my earlier misgivings about the book, was the peculiarity that would later humble me - as a literary technique the straightforward story-telling allowed for more to be imagined between the lines. The complexity of the characters was found in things unsaid, moments unexplored, left simply to the imagination of the reader.
Against the tableau of personalities we have the marriage bureau itself, showcasing the social and class systems of modern India through the photos and application forms filled out to find matrimonial matches. Here is a delectable array (I do love that phrase!) of families who reflect our own insecurities and insensitivities in how we relate to other people.
Will Usha's family agree to the match with Rehman? Will Rehman instead be forced to marry his attractive widowed sister-in-law? Will Aruna succumb to her in-laws' bullying, or give spitefulness a turn in hand? Will Mr Ali cope with the clientele; will he cope with the new computer?
The characters were somewhat air-brushed, but in the end I conceded that this was the appeal to the book. No masterpiece, but certainly worth framing. Again, there is sadness, but the type that is quickly resolved and makes one look forward to the next installation. Mostly, there is forgiveness, and this is satisfying.
My favourite passage is one of Aruna musing: "I must never become off-hand about my wonderful life and must always remember that these cars, servants, expensive clothes and multiple pairs of shoes are extravagances and not necessities ..."
Mr. Ali's assistant Aruna is married into a rich family, and has a wonderful husband. But things turn a little sour when her sister-in-law arrives home again and is none too subtle in her contempt for Aruna and her poor background.
When I started reading this book I was a little skeptical: this was not going to be the prodigious literary sumptus the cover promised. Instead, it was an all-too-obvious recipe for an Indian movie with the usual trappings of cliched love, family and cultural clashes. I imagined an English graduand, married well to grammar and syntax, equipped with a penchant for mid-afternoon censorship, who decided to tell a story and got away with having had it published.
Soon, however, this gave way to reluctant resensation, and then to unabashed entanglement within the story; the ugly duckling had taken flight and turned into a powerful drama worthy of Cannes. The prose relayed in earnest, which gave rise to my earlier misgivings about the book, was the peculiarity that would later humble me - as a literary technique the straightforward story-telling allowed for more to be imagined between the lines. The complexity of the characters was found in things unsaid, moments unexplored, left simply to the imagination of the reader.
Against the tableau of personalities we have the marriage bureau itself, showcasing the social and class systems of modern India through the photos and application forms filled out to find matrimonial matches. Here is a delectable array (I do love that phrase!) of families who reflect our own insecurities and insensitivities in how we relate to other people.
Will Usha's family agree to the match with Rehman? Will Rehman instead be forced to marry his attractive widowed sister-in-law? Will Aruna succumb to her in-laws' bullying, or give spitefulness a turn in hand? Will Mr Ali cope with the clientele; will he cope with the new computer?
The characters were somewhat air-brushed, but in the end I conceded that this was the appeal to the book. No masterpiece, but certainly worth framing. Again, there is sadness, but the type that is quickly resolved and makes one look forward to the next installation. Mostly, there is forgiveness, and this is satisfying.
My favourite passage is one of Aruna musing: "I must never become off-hand about my wonderful life and must always remember that these cars, servants, expensive clothes and multiple pairs of shoes are extravagances and not necessities ..."
November 13, 2012
In The Many Conditions of Love, all the wonderful and winsome characters from The Marriage Bureau for Rich People return for another enjoyable tale of love, India, and how the two sometimes work against each other. In the first book, we met Mr and Mrs Ali in the beautiful country of Vizag. As the strict caste system and rules of hierarchy threatened true love, Zama’s story came through to show how even the strictest of families ultimately will bend the rules to ensure happiness for their loved ones. In the second book, however, the rules of caste seem to be too strong for even the most caring of families as a more harrowing view of societal constraints and expectations lead to a poignant ending.
Modernization is changing India faster than some of the elders can keep up with. A Muslim widow no longer has to shave her head, women may have boyfriends put on their personal car insurance, and Mr Ali contemplates the idea of a computer. The face of dating and relationships is certainly moving forward, but the implications of these movements are more worrisome than the first step in this direction. Full of the wonderful flavours of India and caring family wisdom, The Many Conditions of Love delves deep into the heart-breaking restraints of old customs in India as young couples negotiate their relationships and their place in the world.
Modernization is changing India faster than some of the elders can keep up with. A Muslim widow no longer has to shave her head, women may have boyfriends put on their personal car insurance, and Mr Ali contemplates the idea of a computer. The face of dating and relationships is certainly moving forward, but the implications of these movements are more worrisome than the first step in this direction. Full of the wonderful flavours of India and caring family wisdom, The Many Conditions of Love delves deep into the heart-breaking restraints of old customs in India as young couples negotiate their relationships and their place in the world.
January 19, 2016
Very interesting book with authentic feel to it, giving real insights into how Indians (esp in/around Vizag) live and love. The marriage bureau seems to be real and the interactions as if in front of our very eyes.
My only negative comment is that it ends in a very unsatisfactory manner, even though it was a very logical ending to a very fraught situation involving love between a Muslim man and Hindu woman. I won't say any more in case you actually decide to read it; which is what I would strongly recommend if you are interested in an"insider's" view of life in modern India.
My only negative comment is that it ends in a very unsatisfactory manner, even though it was a very logical ending to a very fraught situation involving love between a Muslim man and Hindu woman. I won't say any more in case you actually decide to read it; which is what I would strongly recommend if you are interested in an"insider's" view of life in modern India.
January 21, 2018
Wow!! I absolutely loved this book. It was just as good as the first and kept me hooked the whole way through. I loved the description and the writing and felt as connected to the characters as I did before. Excellent read. I literally couldnt put it down!
February 5, 2018
Set in Vizag, India; this story picks up from where the first book left off: The Marriage Bureau for Rich People.
It follows the lives of Mr and Mrs Ali’s son Rehman; their niece Pari; and Mr Ali’s assistant, Aruna.
Rehman is a Human Rights activist, who realises that he is falling in love with a Hindu journalist, Usha, after working on a protest together. Being from different religions is just one hurdle. They are two very different people and the term “opposites attract” is so apt in their situation.
When Usha’s grandmother agrees to the marriage on the condition that Rehman get a stable job, with a decent earning and build a house for themselves, instead of being a vagabond, then starts the real test for the couple.
Will they be able to succeed, considering the fact that Rehman’s inherent personality (which is what attracted Usha to him in the first place) is about to undergo a drastic change?
Aruna, recently married to Dr Ramanujam, lives comfortably, having once belonged to a poor family. However, when her sister-in-law, Mani, arrives with her son, Sanjay; in anticipation of her second impending delivery; Aruna becomes her target of mirth, compounded by the naughty Sanjay.
Will Aruna’s marriage survive this onslaught, or is her dignity too precious, to endure such humiliation?
Pari, Rehman’s cousin, widowed at the young age of 22, decides to step out of the shackles society has spun on her. She wants to live life fully and comes from the village to Vizag to work in a call centre, showing the change that women in India are going through by working towards gaining and maintaining their independence.
Interspersed, in between, is the tale of Mr Naidu, an old farmer in a remote village, who has a tough life, that is dependent on rains year after year. Can signing a deal with a contract-farming company help his life or ruin it forever? He has to keep the best interests of his grandson, Vasu, in mind; who is an orphan.
A light and breezy book, the second in the series, it picks up from where it was left off.
The characters are believable - and the writing simple.
Recommend to read it in order.
It follows the lives of Mr and Mrs Ali’s son Rehman; their niece Pari; and Mr Ali’s assistant, Aruna.
Rehman is a Human Rights activist, who realises that he is falling in love with a Hindu journalist, Usha, after working on a protest together. Being from different religions is just one hurdle. They are two very different people and the term “opposites attract” is so apt in their situation.
When Usha’s grandmother agrees to the marriage on the condition that Rehman get a stable job, with a decent earning and build a house for themselves, instead of being a vagabond, then starts the real test for the couple.
Will they be able to succeed, considering the fact that Rehman’s inherent personality (which is what attracted Usha to him in the first place) is about to undergo a drastic change?
Aruna, recently married to Dr Ramanujam, lives comfortably, having once belonged to a poor family. However, when her sister-in-law, Mani, arrives with her son, Sanjay; in anticipation of her second impending delivery; Aruna becomes her target of mirth, compounded by the naughty Sanjay.
Will Aruna’s marriage survive this onslaught, or is her dignity too precious, to endure such humiliation?
Pari, Rehman’s cousin, widowed at the young age of 22, decides to step out of the shackles society has spun on her. She wants to live life fully and comes from the village to Vizag to work in a call centre, showing the change that women in India are going through by working towards gaining and maintaining their independence.
Interspersed, in between, is the tale of Mr Naidu, an old farmer in a remote village, who has a tough life, that is dependent on rains year after year. Can signing a deal with a contract-farming company help his life or ruin it forever? He has to keep the best interests of his grandson, Vasu, in mind; who is an orphan.
A light and breezy book, the second in the series, it picks up from where it was left off.
The characters are believable - and the writing simple.
Recommend to read it in order.
November 3, 2017
In this novel, sequel to the Marriage Bureau for Rich People, Aruna is happily married and living in her husband's home. When his sister returns there to await the birth of her baby, things begin to fall apart for Aruna and her marriage. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Ali have reconciled with their son, Rehman, but he is secretly in a relationship of which they would not approve. Both Rehman and Aruna have difficult times and tough decisions ahead of them.
While not as great as Zama's first novel (my review here), this is a delightful book that continues the stories of his characters. There is not as much information on India and Indian traditions as in the Marriage Bureau, and it is not as charming, but, it is still a solidly good read. Zama draws the reader into the relationships without being overly emotional, and writes well so that one is eager to see what will happen. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume of this series.
While not as great as Zama's first novel (my review here), this is a delightful book that continues the stories of his characters. There is not as much information on India and Indian traditions as in the Marriage Bureau, and it is not as charming, but, it is still a solidly good read. Zama draws the reader into the relationships without being overly emotional, and writes well so that one is eager to see what will happen. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume of this series.
September 1, 2021
Did I enjoy this book as much as the first? Not really. I think the novelty factor of Vizag in a book wore off by this time around.
What I liked: Usha’s naanamma and her master stroke at the end of the book. The Epilogue was fantastically written with the conversation between Pari and Rehman reminding me of Vicky Kaushal’s immortal “Ye dukh kahe khatam nai hota be” (Why does this sorrow not end?) from Masaan.
What I didn’t like: I was all too familiar by now with the plot, the sub plots and the characters to find any excitement except that of a book lover who wants to know the end of a story.
What I liked: Usha’s naanamma and her master stroke at the end of the book. The Epilogue was fantastically written with the conversation between Pari and Rehman reminding me of Vicky Kaushal’s immortal “Ye dukh kahe khatam nai hota be” (Why does this sorrow not end?) from Masaan.
What I didn’t like: I was all too familiar by now with the plot, the sub plots and the characters to find any excitement except that of a book lover who wants to know the end of a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2017
Unlike the first of Zama's novel, this is less of a romance & more Austen-esque in its exploration of the inner workings of families and marriages. It is well enough done, but what I liked most about the first was the joy, which this one is lacking; it is slower, sadder, more interested in the confusion and complications of life. In itself this is not a bad thing, but I do not think Zama pulled it off -- the writing just does not quite support the themes he is trying to explore. I did enjoy it, and I will keep reading his work; I am curious to see where he goes.
February 17, 2020
Avis mitigé.
J'i passé plutôt un bon moment avec ce roman qui est la suite du "Bureau de Mariage de Monsieur Ali" que j'avais beaucoup apprécié.
On y retrouve avec grand plaisir les personnages du premier tome que sont : Mr Ali, le propriétaire d'une agence matrimoniale, sa femme, Mme Ali, pleine de bon sens, Aruna, la secrétaire de Mr Ali et Rehman, le fils de Mr et Mme Ali.
Les histoires de ce second tome m'ont paru bien fades par rapport à celle du tome précédent... J'aurais voulu que l'auteur aille plu loin, bien plus loin dans sa dénonciation du poids des coutumes dans l'Inde d'aujourd'hui !
J'i passé plutôt un bon moment avec ce roman qui est la suite du "Bureau de Mariage de Monsieur Ali" que j'avais beaucoup apprécié.
On y retrouve avec grand plaisir les personnages du premier tome que sont : Mr Ali, le propriétaire d'une agence matrimoniale, sa femme, Mme Ali, pleine de bon sens, Aruna, la secrétaire de Mr Ali et Rehman, le fils de Mr et Mme Ali.
Les histoires de ce second tome m'ont paru bien fades par rapport à celle du tome précédent... J'aurais voulu que l'auteur aille plu loin, bien plus loin dans sa dénonciation du poids des coutumes dans l'Inde d'aujourd'hui !
August 30, 2019
Just like the first book, it is quirky and I love the mix of people, though this book has a bit more "seriousness" in it. This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to the next book.
January 10, 2020
When I started to read this book, I felt that it’s set in 80’s India , the mindset and culture of people from that era.
I found the story line a bit too trite like watching some old Hindi movie .
I kind of expected something better.
I rate this more of a 2.5 on 5
I found the story line a bit too trite like watching some old Hindi movie .
I kind of expected something better.
I rate this more of a 2.5 on 5
June 9, 2023
A little old-fashioned but the traditional ways and societal attitudes woven into the story makes this partial love story a good read. Family values and relationships form crucial elements of the heartwarming tale, giving insights into the fabric of life in a small Indian town.
December 5, 2017
I enjoyed this gentle novel about various characters in the South Indian city of Vishakapattanam (known as Vizag) negotiating the social changes of India in the 21st century.
January 3, 2021
A beautiful book about the interwoven and often complicated stories of people looking for love and marriage
September 11, 2024
Nice, simple story with romance set in a small town surroundings.
March 24, 2019
The writing is quite descriptive which I presume will appeal to the Western World as an insight into the Indian way of life.
.
The book is otherwise too filmy and almost feels like a screenplay for a movie think all inclusive with flashbacks & a wise but scheming grandmother, evil father, sinister sister-in-law, ideal Nationalist son, caste crazy families, poor farmer & his orphan grandson etc etc. not necessarily in that order but you get the hint 😉
.
Read it as a light fluff read without expecting great things and you’re good 👍🏻
.
🌟🌟
.
The book is otherwise too filmy and almost feels like a screenplay for a movie think all inclusive with flashbacks & a wise but scheming grandmother, evil father, sinister sister-in-law, ideal Nationalist son, caste crazy families, poor farmer & his orphan grandson etc etc. not necessarily in that order but you get the hint 😉
.
Read it as a light fluff read without expecting great things and you’re good 👍🏻
.
🌟🌟
July 4, 2011
This is a slightly more complex narrative to its prequel The Marriage Bureau for Rich People. Here the plot is pure Bollywood, with climactic situations and scenes straight out of a film script.
The central plot element is the taboo love affair between Rehman and Usha. Aruna's marriage troubles act as a foreshadowing of what can go wrong with Rehman and Usha's possible union. The secondary characters and subplots are set up in such a way that the audience will not be sure which way the story will go. Possibly another woman has caught Rehman's attention although he's not consciously aware of it yet, and will Rehman adopt Vasu the orphaned village boy...
There are several instances of "flashbacks" adding complexity to the narrative structure, where the backstory to the current scene is explained further (eg, Rehman's first love, how Vasu came to be orphaned, why Aruna is tricked into a visit to the ob-gyn, the story of how "Tara" is adopted by the village family, etc).
Another cinematic element is the attempt to balance the tragedy of Mr. Naidu's experiment with GMO crops, with the levity of Tara's "wedding."
And finally, the stereotypical (even if enigmatic) closure of the mountaintop sunset scene in the Epilogue.
The central plot element is the taboo love affair between Rehman and Usha. Aruna's marriage troubles act as a foreshadowing of what can go wrong with Rehman and Usha's possible union. The secondary characters and subplots are set up in such a way that the audience will not be sure which way the story will go. Possibly another woman has caught Rehman's attention although he's not consciously aware of it yet, and will Rehman adopt Vasu the orphaned village boy...
There are several instances of "flashbacks" adding complexity to the narrative structure, where the backstory to the current scene is explained further (eg, Rehman's first love, how Vasu came to be orphaned, why Aruna is tricked into a visit to the ob-gyn, the story of how "Tara" is adopted by the village family, etc).
Another cinematic element is the attempt to balance the tragedy of Mr. Naidu's experiment with GMO crops, with the levity of Tara's "wedding."
And finally, the stereotypical (even if enigmatic) closure of the mountaintop sunset scene in the Epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2013
I bought this book for £1 in a discount shop and hadn't heard of the author before. I didn't know there was a previous book in the series until I got the book home. I've had mixed results from buying £1 books, some have been terrible and you can see why they've been remaindered. However, I've found some real gems via this route and The Many Conditions of Love is one of them.
The novel is set in the Indian city of Vizag where Mr Ali runs a successful marriage bureau, ably assisted by right-hand woman Aruna. However, things do not always go smoothly as his son Rehman seems to be getting ever closer to television journalist Usha, and Aruna has problems of her own at home.
This is a light book touching on many deep themes and as such is a delight to read. It's funny, touching and sobering by turns and gives a valuable insight into life in modern India. The characters feel like real people you'e like to meet and talk with. When I'd finished I felt like it had done me good and that I'd benefited from all the sunshine in the book.
If any comparisons are to be drawn I'd have to say that it reminded me of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books, and Francois Lelord's Hector books. I'd recommend this book to fans of those other two authors, but would recommend it more widely to anyone who enjoys a book about humanity and the relationships between people.
The novel is set in the Indian city of Vizag where Mr Ali runs a successful marriage bureau, ably assisted by right-hand woman Aruna. However, things do not always go smoothly as his son Rehman seems to be getting ever closer to television journalist Usha, and Aruna has problems of her own at home.
This is a light book touching on many deep themes and as such is a delight to read. It's funny, touching and sobering by turns and gives a valuable insight into life in modern India. The characters feel like real people you'e like to meet and talk with. When I'd finished I felt like it had done me good and that I'd benefited from all the sunshine in the book.
If any comparisons are to be drawn I'd have to say that it reminded me of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books, and Francois Lelord's Hector books. I'd recommend this book to fans of those other two authors, but would recommend it more widely to anyone who enjoys a book about humanity and the relationships between people.
November 11, 2010
Book number two - fewer marriage broker vignettes; less about the marriage broker and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ali; more about their son, Rehman, and his romance;, about the same amount of Aruna; and a couple of new woman characters. So, some character development, although not too terribly deep, and still a bit bumpy on the prose and details.
The author has a story to tell, covers a fair bit of ground rather quickly and not too deeply. But this is not a soul-searching book exposing the dark underside of the South Asian marriage practices. It is a light, quick read, not unpleasant (regardless of the bumpy prose (some editing and polishing could smooth it out)). Perhaps some of the fun is missing with a reduction in the revolving door of marriage-minded families so that more is hanging on the character development which is still a bit on the perfunctory side. But not a bad way to pass a couple of hours.
The author has a story to tell, covers a fair bit of ground rather quickly and not too deeply. But this is not a soul-searching book exposing the dark underside of the South Asian marriage practices. It is a light, quick read, not unpleasant (regardless of the bumpy prose (some editing and polishing could smooth it out)). Perhaps some of the fun is missing with a reduction in the revolving door of marriage-minded families so that more is hanging on the character development which is still a bit on the perfunctory side. But not a bad way to pass a couple of hours.
May 24, 2013
This book is the second in the series by Farahad Zama. The main characters in this book are from the previous book, “The Marriage Bureau for Rich People”, though new characters are introduced from time to time. They revolve around the characters introduced in the first book of the series.
Mr Ali is very busy with the Bureau, Mrs. Ali is supporting him. He is very excited when the computer is installed. Rehman, Mr Ali’s son, is given more attention in this book. He falls in love with Usha, a journalist.Rehman’s cousin’s wife, Pari, is introduced in this book, as a widow trying to lead a normal life. Vasu, Rehman’s friends son also moves in with them.
Aruna is happily married to Dr Ramanujam and is still working at the marriage bureau. Mani, her sister-in-law, makes matters difficult for her when she moves into her parents’ house along with her son for her second delivery.
Overall, a good book, but becomes more interesting if the first one in the series has been read.
Mr Ali is very busy with the Bureau, Mrs. Ali is supporting him. He is very excited when the computer is installed. Rehman, Mr Ali’s son, is given more attention in this book. He falls in love with Usha, a journalist.Rehman’s cousin’s wife, Pari, is introduced in this book, as a widow trying to lead a normal life. Vasu, Rehman’s friends son also moves in with them.
Aruna is happily married to Dr Ramanujam and is still working at the marriage bureau. Mani, her sister-in-law, makes matters difficult for her when she moves into her parents’ house along with her son for her second delivery.
Overall, a good book, but becomes more interesting if the first one in the series has been read.
June 15, 2021
Buku kedua Farahad Zama ini, tetap mencerahkan. Dengan kehadiran Mr. Ali walau tidak sebanyak di buku pertama, di tambah Mrs. Ali yang bijak jadi mengerti tentang cinta. Selain itu lebih banyak karakter yang berkembang di buku ini. Rehman anak Mr. Ali yang jatuh cinta pada seorang reporter cantik beragama Hindu, Usha. Berdua berusaha untuk mengatasi perbedaan diantara cinta mereka. Serta Pari, seorang janda keponakan Mr. Ali dengan kecerdasan dan kutipan-kutipannya Shakespeare menjadi semakin menarik.
Permasalahan lainnya dari Aruna dan Ramanujam yang sudah berumah tangga. Tidak mudah bagi Aruna untuk beradaptasi dengan keluarga Ram yang kaya, khususnya saat berhadapan dengan kakak iparnya Mani.
Banyak cinta dibuku ini.
Permasalahan lainnya dari Aruna dan Ramanujam yang sudah berumah tangga. Tidak mudah bagi Aruna untuk beradaptasi dengan keluarga Ram yang kaya, khususnya saat berhadapan dengan kakak iparnya Mani.
Banyak cinta dibuku ini.
January 21, 2012
This is the second book in this charming series, and I have to say I enjoyed this one more than the first installment. The characters are now fully developed, and it was nice to catch up with them again and see how things had moved on. Each character has their own story in this book, with the marriage bureau itself playing a smaller part. Zama deals with some pretty hefty themes with a seemingly light touch. Agricultural issues, modern ways versus traditional, families, marriage and the gulf between rich and poor in Indian society. A lovely cosy read with a bit more behind it. I will definitely be getting the third in this series at some point.
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