Not All Marriages are Made in Heaven

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People #3

by Farahad Zama

Business at Mr Ali's Marriage Bureau is as brisk as ever, but he and Mrs Ali are concerned about their son, Rehman. With Usha out of the picture, he's given up his job and returned to political activism, defending local villagers from unscrupulous contract-farming companies. He and Pari are getting closer, but he still thinks of her only as a friend. Suddenly unexpected news comes in the form of a proposal to Pari from the mother of a young Mumbai-based lawyer called Dilawar. Mr and Mrs Ali think the match is a good one, and Rehman remembers Dilawar fondly from school. But Pari knows she is in love with Rehman, and soon it's clear that other complications stand in the way of the match. And when Rehman, Aruna and Ramanujam's paths all cross in one of the villages to the south of the city, a threat far greater than an unwanted marriage raises its head. Warm, witty and exciting, Not All Marriages Are Made In Heaven will be the third installment of the Marriage Bureau for Rich People series.

Genres: India, Fiction, Romance, Indian Literature, Contemporary, Family

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Farahad 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."

Reviews

[Serendipity Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Ali, the Wedding Wallah, is still very popular at helping arranged marriages occur amongst educated clients and wealthy families. He is over the moon, when it appears he may have been able to make a match for his niece Pari, an impoverished pretty young widow and Dilawar, the handsome businessman from the city.

I will admit to being a little apprehensive about reading this third book in the series. I absolutely loved the first book 'The Marriage Bureau for Rich People, however, I really did not enjoy the second book 'The Many Conditions of Love' as much at all. Thankfully, this book renewed my interest in the day to day lives of Mr Ali and his friends and family.

In fact, this book seemed to be a lot more realistic and darker than the previous two books, as it dealt with two topics which I presume are quite politically hot at this moment in time in India. Firstly the book looks closely at the legalisation of homosexuality. This really shocked me, discovering how backward they were in their views of gays and lesbians. I had never considered that other countries may still consider this to be wrong and felt thankful to live in a society where this is no longer the case. Poor Dilawar is being pushed into a marriage to give him the respectability his mother craves for him and the family name. Dilawar, weakened by society's attitude of his sexuality, struggles to stand up for his rights. It was quite sad to read and I couldn't help but feel his pain at not being allowed to be himself.

The second topic dealt with in this book is the importance of the Naxalites, a loose term used to define some rather violent groups who cause destruction and kidnappings in the name of landless labourers. They have an almost Robin Hood mentality but with sheer brutality involved to get their rewards. I am presuming that they still exist in India, as I could not find any information to contradict this point. The actions they carry out within the book, bring home the harsh reality of the inequality occurring in India and once again allows you to feel thankful that you don't have to live in similar conditions.

This book also highlights the changes occurring India, which seem to be pushing it into the modern world. The young are restless to live like the youth from Westernized societies and mobile phones and social networking are competing with the more traditional ways of the country. You realise straight away that the older generations are reluctant to move forward with technology and change. I love the contrast of the young and the old. The ways of the old still coexisting with the modernness of the young.

The characters are just adorable. It was lovely to revisit these characters and see how their lives have progressed. I loved returning to Aruna and Ramanujam's relationship, to see it continue to blossom, allowing Aruna to stand on her own two feet. Mrs Ali, continues to entertain me with her crafty ways and causing mayhem with her nosy neighbours. I felt a little annoyed with Rehman though, as I wanted him to open his eyes and see what beauty lies before him.

The book ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger, as there are a couple of situations that have been left unresolved, so I look forward to reading more in the future.

My only niggle with this book was that certain events that occur at the end of the book were told rather than shown and I would have liked to see a more dramatic ending to a situation that occurs.

If you like The No1 Ladies Detective series, then you will enjoy this book too, as I feel it mirrors the simplicity of life in the same way the Alexander McCall Smith series does.

An enjoyable read, that educates you without you realising!

[Smita Beohar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series, the 1st one being “The Marriage bureau for rich people”, followed by “The Many Conditions of Love”. I have reviewed both the books loved the 1st one & found the 2nd one to be just another book.


This book picks where the last one had ended. Mr. Ali’s business is thriving; Aruna has settled down in Family life & has been accepted by everyone. Pari, Mr. Ali’s relative & a widow has settled down in her new job at a call center and is in the process of adopting Vasu, the orphan of Rehman’s friends. Everything seemed to be settling down into a smooth routine for all of them but changes were lurking around the corner.

Pari is in doldrums about accepting a marriage proposal which has come to her from a very affluent family. When she makes up her mind to reject the proposal she loses her job & security which makes her rethink about her decision but then she also realises that what she feels for Rehman is something more than friendship. What will she do?

Dilawar from whose family the propsal has come for Pari is against the marriage because he has a secret which could spoil the girls future but alas! He doesn’t have the guts to come out in open. What will he do? Will he give in to his mothers' emotional blackmailing?

Rehman is still trying to recover from his failed affair but has a soft spot for Pari. Unfortunately for him & Pari he is far from realising that this might be love.

Aruna is on cloud nine when her father in law entrusts her by handing over the responsibilities of their land business. Her first job assignment takes her to the interiors of Kerala. She & her husband were enjoying the solitude & peace of the jungle when tragedy strikes them. Naxalite attack their guest house & take them into captivity. To their immense horror they find Rehman & Dilawar (he is Rehman’s childhood friend) have also been kidnapped by the same group.

Will the group be ever freed?
Do they stand a chance against the Naxalite’s?
Will the danger to his life make Rehman realise his love for Pari?
Will the imminent death make Dilawar realise that life is too short to keep secrets?

Read the book to know more.

My View

This book packs a punch!

My complaint with the last one was that it was a run of the mill book about relationships & love. I had prayed that the author gives us something more in the next part and am glad to say that his latest offering is anything but run of the mill.

The author has very smartly woven the naxalite issue with the story and brought in a novelty in the whole plot. In fact if we see there are many issues which he has spoken about in this book. Widow Remarriage, adoption, Naxals, Gay relationships, farmer suicide to name few.

I have always loved the expertise with which the author describes the small town life; it somehow makes you crave for good old days when everything was done in slowly and with a practised ease. The book is a page turner and the author keeps you glued with enough suspense.

I loved the book for the simple reason that it is readable, entertaining & yet a little different. Go for it is my final word on it :) and yes now I am waiting for the next installment because I so much want to see Rehman & Pari's romance to bloom & would love to read how the orthodox yet adorable & cute Mrs. Ali will react to it.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the southern Indian coastal city of Vizag, Mr Ali is still running his marriage bureau under the watchful eye of his redoubtable wife and with the efficient support of his assistant Aruna. Mrs Ali is in conflict with the neighbour who has poached her maid and Mr Ali’s son Rehman has split up with his Hindu girlfriend. It’s a source of disappointment to Mr and Mrs Ali that they can’t get their son married off – it’s like the shoemaker’s children going badly shod for the matchmaker’s son to be off looking for a love marriage. Rehman’s a bit of a drifter, a well-meaning campaigning do-gooder who’s more focused on helping others than sorting out his own problems. In 'The Wedding Wallah', Rehman spends a lot of time with Mr Ali’s niece (well second cousin a few times removed if I remember correctly) Pari who’s a young widow. Pari is in the process of trying to adopt Vasu, the orphaned son of Rehman’s old friends. Confused yet? There’s a lot of different plot lines in this one.

Meanwhile, a well-to-do local family are looking to marry off their son and the mother has her eyes set on Pari – something to do with her having a rather fine nose from what I could make out. Since any widow is unlikely to attract a good husband, especially one who’s in the process of tying herself to someone else’s child, we’re naturally suspicious about why the family wants her. She’s an unconventional ‘catch’ for a good looking young man with a swanky apartment in Mumbai and a good job with a multinational who surely could do better. There’s something afoot and it won’t be long before we’re introduced to an Indian taboo even greater than widowhood – that of male homosexuality. I’ve been reading Indian books for many years and I’m struggling to recall any that have ever been brave enough to attempt to paint a sympathetic portrait of the subject. I can remember a few in which anyone gay is pretty much doomed to a life of misery and ostracism, but it takes a certain bravery (and maybe moving to the UK) to allow a writer to tackle the topic, especially in a light-hearted romance. I suspect that this is a book that Zama would have struggled to write in India. He credits fellow writer Suketa Mehta, author of 'Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found' for helping him with insights on the Mumbai gay scene.

If we want a bit more controversy let me ask you if you know what the word Naxalite means? OK, if you do I’m surprised but I’m guessing only those with a really obsessive interest in India said yes. Aruna and her husband Ram go out to the country for a holiday and to buy some land and they get kidnapped by Naxalites. By introducing a band of Maoist insurgents into the plot, Zama has taken his story in a very different direction. There’s a lot of morality woven into this book – more so than its predecessors. Zama gives us ‘Politics and Sociology Light’, weaving strong messages into gentle stories. Do I entirely believe the kidnapping story? No not really – it’s all a little bit contrived but that doesn’t matter. I can’t help but think the writer is yearning to step out of the light romance genre and into something more weighty. I’ll keep watching and waiting for the ‘literary’ novel that I’m sure is still to come but I hope there are more volumes of the Marriage Bureau for Rich People series still to come.

Will Pari marry her gay suitor, will Aruna and Ram escape their captors, will Rehman and Usha get back together and will Mrs Ali ever get her cleaner back and Mr Ali get his morning tea on time?

With any book series, it’s always likely that readers will get more pleasure from the later books if they’ve read the ones that go before and the Marriage Bureau for Rich People series is no exception. After a spectacular first volume, subsequent books tend to assume the reader is already familiar with the players and to do little more than offer a brief reminder. You can read this without reading the books that go before but I think you’re likely to enjoy it less and if you’re one of those who’s prone to reading books in the wrong order, you’ll spoil things if you do that with this series.

What I loved about the first book was the deeply developed characterization and the detail invested in the intricacies of the matchmaking process followed by the Bureau. I was fascinated by the complexities of matching up family expectations and the business negotiations that go with the process. The second book drifted a bit too far from the Bureau but happily, the third book takes us back to the Bureau once again. I adore Mr Ali and I’d have liked to see a bit more of him and his worldly wisdom – I hope book four might bring that back again. For me Mr and Mrs Ali are the stars of the show but I fear the balance between the older and younger generations is moving against me.

[Hazeanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of flavours. Deeply enriched with Indian culture and social customs.

The 3rd volume of Marriage Bureau series saw a well-rounded characters' development. The story became even more interesting and well-marinated. What's more, Farahad Zama yarned around the storyline with contemporary social elements like Naxalites and LGBT, making it more current and realistic.

Actually, I skipped reading the 2nd volume, The Many Conditions of Love. But, I don't find that a hindrance to my reading enjoyment. It's very well-written and deeply absorbing.

I found The Wedding Wallah, personally appealing. I love the scene where milk delivered fresh, with milking done on the spot. Yes! A buffalo making her round and mooed the reserved customer house to signal her arrival. What a novel scenery!

The author also used phrases that we, in Malaysia also used. Like, a packed sardine in a can; to throw a sandal to someone. Even featured Vadai, one of my favourite fritters, a doughnut shaped snack made from dhall. I felt sorts of affinity with the story.

With all these, there's hardly anything for me to complaint about this book. It's a very much pleasure to read the Wedding Wallah.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019 bk 329. I'm really enjoying Zama's novels, and I don't usually enjoy novels. His characters have a way of imbedding themselves in your heart. Between the books I wonder what Rahman is up to, and if Pari has found friendship in the big city, how Aruna and her husband are doing and so on. The third book is as good as the first, but any details I would give in the review would be a spoiler. Just know that I really enjoyed this novel.

[Amathonthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apapun buku dari Farahad Zama aku kasih 5 bintang deh.

Marriages are made in heaven. When Allah made a creature, He also made the creature's mate. Itu kata ayahnya Pari saat Pari akan menikah dengan suami pertamanya. Tapi saat akan menghadapi pernikahan keduanya Pari bilang, Not all marriages are made in heaven. Some, probably most, are constructed here on earth for any number of reason.

Pari dipaksa menikah dengan Dilawar, tapi kemudian Pari sadar bahwa dia jatuh cinta dengan Rehman. Deg-degan juga mikirin apakah Rehman yang diputusin Usha bisa mencintai Pari dengan kondisinya seperti itu.

Menjadi janda adalah sesuatu hal yang kalo saya bilang orang India menganggapnya jelek. Padahal kasihan belum tentu juga janda ditinggal cerai, banyak yang ditinggal mati suami. Ternyata hal menjadi janda di India sangat rumit. Nyari rumah buat tinggal aja ga boleh. Belum tetangga yang cerewet minta ampun, ampe bikin geram juga saat bacanya si Pari di fitnah. Huh.

Hal yang agak mengejutkan di buku ini adalah Ricky yang sadar bahwa dia adalah gay. Dan dia seorang muslim yang gay. Di India sendiri udah ada undang2 yang melegalkan hubungan gay-lesbian (kalo ga salah) akan tetapi tetap secara sosial belum banyak yang bisa menerimanya.
Sungguh tidak mudah untuk mempertahankan akan memilih sosial atau rasa dihati yang harus dipendam karena mencintai sesama jenis.

Ada satu hal yang bikin saya jatuh cinta [lagi] sama Mr. Ali adalah saat Mr. Ali diminta ibunya Dilawar, Mrs.Bilqis untuk memaksa Pari menikah dengan Dilawar.

Saat Mrs.Ali menyuruh Pari menikah dengan Dilawar alasannya adalah untuk masalah keamanan Pari kedepannya dan uang yang akan dia butuhkan untuk membesarkan Vasu juga agar lebih nyaman hidupnya, sebaliknya Mr.Ali alasanya karena cinta.

You can have the whole world looking out for you, Pari, but it is not a substitute for that one special person to share your life with.

Mr. Ali memang romantis, dan hal itu mengherankan bagi Pari yang menganggap seharusnya sebaliknya.

I've always thought that men are more romantic than woman. Kata Mr. Ali.

Romance isn't just about pink balloons and heart-shaped cards. It is something much deeper. He put a hand to his heart. Here, where it matters, men are more caring. Ask any young woman what kind of man she wants to marry and the answer will be prince or a millionaire. Ask the same questions of a hundred men, and very few will say that they want a princess or a rich girl. They want somebody beautiful and kind.

Jadi Mr. Ali memang sangat romantis.

Sayangnya bagian-bagian terakhirnya rada bikin bingung, dan bikin penasaran apa yang akan terjadi dengan Rehman dan Pari.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

The latest installment in this series is just as charming as the first and not as bittersweet as the second.
The blurb gives a good idea of the plot, but the strength of these books is in the people. I love Mr and Mrs Ali to bits. I really would like to know them. The focus of this story is on their neighbor Pari and her growing relationship with the Ali's son, Rehman. She is still grieving for her husband, she's trying to make a good home for Vasu, a young boy she has adopted, she's just lost her job and she's gotten a marriage proposal out of the blue from a very handsome (and wealthy) young man.
Pari's desire to meet Dilawar face to face before becoming engaged and Aruna's desire for a holiday set in motion the rest of the story--in which Dilawar, Rehman, Aruna (and her doctor husband) are kidnapped by local Maoist rebels.
The local color is fantastic (as to be expected), the minor characters are engaging (especially some of the marriage bureau clients)and well-developed. The only one bordering on stereotype is the leader of the kidnappers.
The story wraps up nicely, while giving us hope for more. And indeed, there is a fourth book in this series and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

[okyrhoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Farahad Zama surprises us here, with even more complex controversial issues dividing today's India in its transition from tradition to modernity, after the first social and political hot points covered in the first two volumes of his series.
However, this installment lacks the plot suspense or the narrative elaborations of the second book, The Many Conditions of Love. There was a discernible stylistic progression from The Marriage Bureau for Rich People to T.M.C. of L. I was disappointed that the writing in the third book returns back to the simplicity that marks the first one.

[Maulika Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is wonderful. Each book goes from strength to strength. The characters are beautifully developed which made me read with ease and pleasure. Although this book had a lot more action than the other two books it didn't have the bittersweet ending as "The many Conditions of love'. My favourite characters by far are Mr and Mrs Ali. I cannot wait to read "Mrs Ali's road to happiness'.

[Ranjini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Vizag, India; this story picks up from where the second book left off: Many Conditions of Love

It follows the lives of Mr and Mrs Ali’s son Rehman; their niece Pari; and Mr Ali’s assistant, Aruna.

Rehman, nursing a broken heart post his break-up with Usha, returns to his original calling – being a Human Rights activist; much to the bewilderment of his parents.

Meanwhile, his cousin Pari (a widow, having recently moved to the city), having found a job at a call centre, is finally making something out of her life. Her heart breaks for Vasu, the late Mr Naidu’s orphaned grandson, who has no one to call his own.
Realising that she may not have an opportunity to re-marry, she decides to do the unthinkable. She decides to legally adopt him.
Her heart is dancing in elation the day the legal-work is complete; however, that very same day, she finds out that her “probation period” at the call centre has ended; and she has NOT been awarded a permanent position. She’s shattered, yet again.
Determined to not give up on Vasu, she begrudgingly, accepts to consider a marriage proposal that has come her way from Dilawar, who happens to be Rehman’s childhood friend and who lives in Mumbai.
However, she senses an undercurrent of an attraction towards Rehman. He seems oblivious to the same.

On the other hand, as Aruna and her husband, Ram, start planning a vacation, some important matters pertaining to their land crops up; and they have to make their way to the village. They are pleasantly surprised to meet Rehman and Dilawar there, who have come to sort out the legal issues pertaining to Vasu.

Though it is a quick read and picks up from where it was left off, it is anything but light.
This book deals with very important issues, like the Naxalite movement and the LGBT movement in India.

In 2009, the Delhi High Court, struck down the provision of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalised consensual sexual acts of adults in private, holding that it violated the fundamental right of life and liberty and the right to equality as guaranteed in the Constitution. However, this decision was upturned by the Supreme Court in 2013.
As of 2018, however, the Supreme Court is all set to reconsider whether to legalise same-sex sexual activity and one can only hope for a better and legalised future.

Recommend to read it in order.

This was the best one of the three that I read so far.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lighthearted fun little read to kick off the new year. The second book in the series of Farahad Zama's stories about a marriage bureau for rich people in India. Amusing bits about the way of life in India. Some insight into political uprisings (Naxilites) were woven into the story. Zama also included a couple of characters from the 'gay' scene in India. The writing style irritated me sometimes with the amount of unnecessary chit chat among the characters. i felt it did not enhance the story at all. In the end the story didn't go far, and it ended in such a way that suggests there will be another book in the series. I wont be reading it.

[the Kent cryptid · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the other books in this series, but coming back to it feels like coming home. The Wedding Wallah isn't the one to start with, but if you haven't yet checked out Farahad Zama and fancy reading something really warm and charming, I highly recommend The Marriage Bureau for Rich People.

[Lena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started on this book without reading the first two. Turned out I can follow the storyline easily and a surprisingly good read.

A well balanced book with main plot (Pari's destiny and the marriage bureau matchmaking efforts) and sub plots (LGBT movements and communism ideology in India).

[Lillia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like one of the sweetest soap operas you've ever come across. All the characters are likable, and it's not all fluff. I've learned things I didn't know about India by reading it.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only do I enjoy reading more about these characters, but I also feel like I’m learning a lot about India!

[Ru · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this book. The characters and relationships were relatively interested however, the plot took some very random turns which didn't really work and then the ending just fell flat. Not sure I'll be reading any more of Farahad's books.

[Smitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It turned out to be a sequel to another series of books, but it still was easy enough to figure out the previous parts of the story.

Mr Ali runs a successful marriage bureau, while Mrs Ali runs a successful campaign against crows in her back yard. Their niece Pari who lives near them, is a widow, and has just adopted a young boy, Vasu. Mr and Mrs Ali have taken her(and her son) under their wings, while hoping that their son, Rehman would get more responsible.

Everybody is pleasantly surprised when Pari gets a marriage proposal from a very affluent lady for her son Dilawar. Everybody is overjoyed and feels that Pari should accept the proposal, while Pari herself seems extremely unsure. Pari had been working at a call centre and felt independent enough to take care of herself and her son. She also loved her husband, and is not quite sure about marrying again.

There is also Aruna(Mr Ali’s assistant) and her husband Ramanujam’s story interwoven with the story.

It was a very interesting read. I read it almost in one sitting. I loved the way the author has brought out scenes in everyday life. I loved his descriptions of the characters. Mrs Ali, and her neighbours, Mr Ali, Pari – all very real, and believable. Mrs Ali’s new cellphone and the way she handles the phone, is so typical of some of the older people I know. Aruna and her husband make a very cute and loving couple – again quite real, in the small town way they are portrayed. Dilawar’s dilemma – to follow society’s norms or to follow his heart..

The book addresses gay rights issues, the campaign in India to legalize gay relationships, and the kind of issues they face in society today from police harassing them to societal condemnation.

The story also brings to front, the Naxalite movement, as is prevalent in certain parts of India, where landlords have oppressed the poorer sections of society for ages.

The author manages to weave in the different political and social issues really well into the story. A fast paced, interestingly written story. I was a little disappointed with the way the book ended. There was something missing. But that might be because there is more in the series to come. I think I will definitely be picking up his other books.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to know Rehman and especially Pari a little more in this 3rd book of the Marriage Bureau series. Mr. and Mrs. Ali are just the same - like a comfortable old pair of shoes, and Aruna and Ram's relationship continues to develop. I like that the series focuses on the development of a core group of characters while addressing some issue in modern Indian society. I also really love the gentle humor and interplay of old traditional etiquette and modern mores.

This chapter in the series was a little different in that it had more of a political agenda. Is it better to try to change the system with non-violent protest, pressuring the government with weight of numbers? Or should one make a dramatic show of resistance with violence, hoping that others will be startled out of their complacency and join the cause? Does it even matter when the system itself is corrupted and it seems that each level of bureaucracy needs to be bribed to move things forward? If you change the laws of a country to establish fairness and equality will the attitudes of the people begin to bend toward inclusion and justice? Or do you need to change the people's attitudes first? Interesting questions.

I also love that Zama points out that everyone has their own perspective. In the last book, Rehman tried to help a poor farmer who got into debt with a multinational seed company and lost his land. This was a poor subsistence farmer who lived from one season to the next, and one bad year destroyed him. However, he was still a land owner, relatively rich in Indian society. In this book we meet a poor indentured servant who can only work for 9 months out of the year, watching his family starve during the other 3 months, unable to leave because he was bound by an old debt. Everything is relative.

[Arti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Ali's "Marriage Bureau for the Rich People" is doing good business and he has clients from far and near. Mrs Ali's has a very true to life relationship with her neighbours. Rehman falls in love with Usha, his journalist friend.

Pari has adopted a little boy, Vasu and is now working full time at a call centre. She is lives opposite the Ali household. She receives a proposal from a rich, handsome man, Dilawar, whose family is desperate for him to marry her. He is also being pushed by his mother to marry her.

Aruna is still working with Mr Ali, is happily married and planning to go on a vacation with her husband. On a family errand to a village, they meet Rehman and Dilawar.

Though, this book still has its roots in Vizag, it reflects on the modern side of India- Call Centres, homosexuality, McDonalds, Cosmopolitan Mumbai, Maoist insurgency and single motherhood. The naxalite part of the story gave me goosebumps.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Niratisaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cerita Farahad Zama selalu membuat saya merasa hangat setiap kali membacanya. Satu paket komplit di mana saya bisa menemukan kisah kasih antar orangtua-anak, kekasih, sesama manusia. Selalu saja ada konflik tak terduga dalam novel Zama, tapi di saat yang bersamaan dia selalu menawarkan akhir yang tak terduga. Hanya saja kali ini Zama membawa novelnya beberapa langkah lebih jauh dari sekedar novel roman.

Kejutannya: ada dua elemen tak terduga di dalamnya. Tentang budaya yang bercampur dengan agama, sehingga tak terpisahkan. Serta tentang kemanusiaan yang bercampur dengan keserakahan.

Saya tidak sabar membeli novel Zama yang berikutnya! :D
(nabung lagi!)

[Magill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally was able to sit down with #3 of this series. A definite improvement in writing style from the 1st 2 books. But this one moves the overall storyline even further from the light wedding vignettes of the 1st book (although they are still present) to more social issues, including LGBT, poverty, etc. and more character POVs introduced.

I don't know that I would have stuck it out without the investment in the characters from previous books, not because it was bad, but just because it is hard to do justice to so many complex issues and properly develop the characters.

Still, a pleasant book - onward to #4.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A find - a true find - a wonderful surprise complete with mystery, information, food, smells and the people of modern India. I loved it and totally recommend it to everyone. Apparently it is the third ina series, never had read the other books made no difference to my enjoyment. I do plan to find the first two and read them.

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know whether I'm getting used to the tone or whether it has indeed improved vastly since the first - or I simply enjoy catching up with this group of people... At anyrate this was a very pleasant diversion while being stuck in bed with the flu. I had thought this was the last in the series, but as it ends with some threads still untied, I hope it will continue.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Book Three in the series about a marriage broker in India. If I had not read the preceding book, The Many Conditions of Love, last week....I probably would have rated the book higher. I need a break before reading the next book "Mrs. Ali's Road to Happiness". In Wedding Wallah, I liked the characters. Enjoyed hearing more about the social and religious customs of India.

[Denise Tarasuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and full of modern day India. You can hear the noise, the traffic, the neighbors gossiping, and all of the daily happenings in a tiny village that is very busy with thoughts of LOVE and MARRIAGE! I am loving this series! Farahad Zama is a fantastic writer! He gives me something to look forward to as I quickly turn one page after another. A must read that is full of love and desire.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the first two books in this series, "The Wedding Wallah" completely lost me. The story line felt stilted, the characters disjointed, and with a major emphasis on the homosexual community in India, I highly doubt I would pick up a fourth book from this author.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I also like the character's growth. This book was about Pari, Aruna and Rehman and tackled social issues such as homosexuality and wealth vs poverty. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third installment in the little series about the Marriage Bureau for Rich People set in India. I liked this one better than the last one - some of the characters are really starting to get interesting. Fun series reminiscent of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency.

[Tomi-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lovely installation in this series. Highly recommended if you like Jane Austin style story lines about manners and relationships, AND if you want to learn things about everyday life among Hindus and Muslims in India.

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two books in the series were funny and thought provoking. No. 4 was dragging and this story (#3)is just not good with the strange mixture of issues of Marxist attacks and Gay rights in India.