The Marriage Bureau for Rich People

Written by Farahad Zama

Narrated by Tania Rodrigues

Farahad Zama's debut novel transports listeners to faraway India for a story brimming with endearing characters, homespun wisdom, and blossoming love. After Mr. Ali retires, he launches a matchmaking service that helps an array of clients arrange marriages. But he's unaware of his able assistant's dire need for his marriage bureau.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 3, 2009
• ISBN: 9781440760471

Reviews for The Marriage Bureau for Rich People

[she_climber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd been interested in this story ever since seeing it listed on the ER list months ago but not winning a copy. Glad I finally got to it on my own. A very interesting story about the marriage practices in India. Such a great way to get an intimate education through the eyes and lives of very amusing characters. The accent of the narrator for the audio version made it that much more authentic and enjoyable.

[pennykaplan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Ali starts a marriage bureau for contemporary Indians (in India) to keep himself busy in his retirement. He and his wife's common sense insures plenty of successes and true love for his assistant. Lots of fun, and lots to learn about India today.

[picardyrose · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It meant to be cute, just took too long to get moving.

[amodini_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Farahad Zama’s debut novel, “The Marriage Burueau for rich people” is a simple story, set in coastal Andhra Pradesh. I was drawn to it by comparisons of it to the “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” books, and Jane Austen’s works. Unfortunately while neither of those claims stand (very) tall, this is still an entertaining read.The story, told with a minimum of fuss and lots of detail, is centered around a Marriage Bureau and the people who run it. Mr. Hyder Ali, a retired government clerk, decides to open up a Marriage Bureau. As the business thrives, Mr. Ali hires an assistant, Aruna, a poor but well-educated girl. As the two go about sorting through client’s wants and problems regarding potential matches, Aruna must resolve a problem of her own . . .Zama creates sympathetic, well-etched characters in his book. Mr. Ali is retired, and now he’s at home, “disturbing his wife’s routine” (so says his wife). Both Mr. and Mrs. Ali are good, middle-class people, helpful and kind. While Mr. Ali goes about finding potential life-partners for the rest of the world, he frets about his own social worker son, who has devoted his life to advocating on behalf of the poor and repressed. Aruna is a mild-mannered, dutiful girl, very conscious of societal proprieties, and the author manages to give us a feel for what’s going on in her head, when she must step out of her self-prescribed bounds.As for comparisons with Jane Austen’s works, there aren’t any, except for the fact that this book is about match-making, and Mrs. Bennett excelled at it. It is a little galling, from the feminist point of view, that modern day Indian films and books (Bride and Prejudice, A suitable boy, A marriage bureau for rich people), can still be inspired from a “historical” romance, wherein the only objective and occupation of people in above said dramas is matrimony. Not that it in itself is a bad thing, but the fixation of “marriage” as being the resounding (and only ?) answer to all female problems, is detrimental to the health of most girls.Mr. and Mrs. Ali are older folk, who have seen the world and are wiser for it. Through the interactions between them, Mr. Ali’s clients, and Aruna and her family, we get to see different points of view, interspersed with home-spun morality and advice : “What stories you tell,” said Mrs. Ali, laughing for the first time since the day before. “How can you compare human beings and animals? It doesn’t make sense.” Mr. Ali shook his head and said, “It is true, though. Many men think that their daughters will only be happy if their son-in-law is a rich officer or a software engineer in California. That’s not necessarily true. You need a man with a good character who will respect his wife. If you have that, any woman will be happy, even if money is tight.”The author also brings out the caste and class-ridden culture, and the plight of folks in difficult financial binds. I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of people in this story – rich, poor, beautiful, plain, boorish, sensible, haughty and greedy – the marriage bureau being the perfect place to meet all of them. Plus it was interesting getting a look-see into the marriage market : Mr. Venkat’s demands for his son’s bride were not many, thought Mr. Ali ruefully. She had to be fair, slim, tall, educated but not a career-minded girl. Her family had to be wealthy, ideally landowners, and from the same caste as Mr. Venkat. If they were from the same city, that was even better. They had to be willing to pay a large dowry, commensurate with his own family’s wealth and son’s earning capacity. Mr. Ali wrote it all down.Now, Mr. Zama is not a word-smith, and I say this kindly. His words are simple and to the point, which gives this book a modest beauty. While he describes events and actions in the book in great detail, this isn’t lush, lyrical prose which will sweep you off your feet. In fact, sometimes the details feel dry, because he is just chronicling steps, one by one. Here’s an example : Aruna’s mother lit the second ring of the gas burner and put an aluminum pan on it. She poured a couple of tablespoons of oil into it. When the oil was hot enough, she took out an old, round wooden container. She slid the lid open on its hinges. Inside there were eight compartments, each holding a different spice. She took a pinch of mustard seeds and put them in the oil. When they started popping, Aruna’s mother dropped cloves, cardamom pods, and a cinnamon stick into the hot oil. She added a small plate of chopped onions to the pan. The lovely smell of frying onions filtered through the kitchen and the rest of the house. Aruna finished cutting and joined her mother at the burner. When the onions were brown, she lifted the brinjals, letting the water drain out of her fingers, and added them to the pan; they sizzled loudly. Once, they had all been added, her mother stirred the vegetables around. Aruna got an old Horlicks bottle holding chili powder out of the cupboard. She took out a spoonful of the dark red powder and mixed it into the onions and brinjals.For someone like me, familiar with the city and it’s locales, and much of the local customs (and cooking), it was at times exasperating to read in painstaking detail about “country liquor”, or of making “pulihora”, or brinjal (egg-plant). But it is a minor quibble.Most of the language used by the author is simple and straightforward, pretty much what-you-see-is-what-you-get; there is not much scope for reading between the lines, or subjective interpretation. I will say that there are few books which can employ such a writing style and still work, as this one does. This book also works because it is strong on content and it’s characters are well thought out and exude “goodness” (and not in an annoying way).There are a couple of oddities in the book – for one, why is an Andhra-ite bride wearing a red sari ? Don’t they wear cream (off-white) ones during the ceremony ? And also this : On Friday, about a month later, Aruna arrived home and went into the kitchen as usual to help her mother. She started chopping up ladies’ fingers – okra – into little rings. The lady’s finger (or is it lady finger ?) appears to have been pluralized to ladies’ fingers. If okra remains okra, then why does lady’s finger turn into ladies’ fingers ? Grisly humor (one can just imagine Aruna chopping them up on her cutting board), or just plain typo ?All in all, a nice, light read – recommended.

[stonelaura · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A new marriage bureau established by retired Mr. Ali serves as the setting to showcase the cultural details of life in India – sometimes with tongue-in-cheek and other times in all seriousness. Caste distinction, political oppression, religious differences and female subjugation are all touched upon, not to mention the strains and demands of arranging and organizing the details of an appropriate marriage within the confusing confines of cultural restrictions. But all of these issues are addressed mostly in a subtle manner that flows just beneath the surface of a basic and simple storyline that gives us insight into the daily lives of the characters. As the business takes off Mr. Ali, a Muslim, hires unassuming and competent Aruna, a Hindu, as his assistant. As they coordinate matches we meet a variety of characters whose needs reflect both the good and bad of their society. Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Ali struggle to accept their son’s involvement in anti-government protests, Aruna’s father falls ill, and a handsome doctor with demanding sisters who are looking for a rich sister-in-law, becomes attracted to Aruna instead. Marry for love? Inconceivable! This is a sweet and tender story full of enough cultural details to give it an exotic feel.

[clue_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through Early Reviewers and I'm happy to say I throughly enjoyed it. Mr. Ali, a retired government clerk, decides he needs something to do and he opens a marriage bureau...the office is located on what we would call his "front porch." It isn't long before the problems of his customers, his own family and his friends begin to keep him very busy indeed. While the book is lighthearted and has a charming touch, there is much one can learn about Indian customs. This is a first novel and I'll be watching for Mr. Farahad's next one!

[debnance_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'd like to see a complete review of this book. Snippets of a review? That doesn't cut it. There's no doubt in my mind that I have positive things to say about it. I loved the way the author put me inside life in India today. Little conversations between people in India. Little trips to weddings. Little visits with people seeking a husband or a wife. I loved that.But there is also, for me, the negative things I must say about it. Most of the negative things can be summed up in one sentence: I think this book needed an editor. Here's the last paragraph of the first chapter, for example: "The business took off slowly, as expected. A few people became members and Mr. Ali advertised on their behalf. He forwarded the replies to his members but also kept their details, and as the weeks passed, his files steadily grew." Do we need any of this? Whatever happened to show, not tell? Did Zama get an involved editor? Or were the publishers satisfied to throw together a pretty cover, a few comparisons to No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency on the back, and the rough text? I liked this book. Parts of it were exceptional. I just wish it had been edited into a much stronger book.Here's a bit from parts I liked: '"I don't need a full fruit. How much for half?" asked Mr. Ali.The man replied, "Eight rupees. Fresh, sir."Mr. Ali said, "Five rupees.""You are joking, sir. Just cut today on the slopes of Simhachalam. Came straight from the sacred town," said the vendor....The temple town of Simhachalam is home to a famous Hindu temple and Mr. Ali wondered if the man would have tried quite the same sales pitch if he had known that his customer was a Muslim.'

[clamairy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is sweet and touching. It's not all that deep, but I didn't care. I learned so much about Indian culture, both Hindu and Muslim, that I have no guilt at all about the time spent reading this 'feel good' novel. Thank you, Farahad Zama. Please keep writing!

[dulcibelle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Ali is retired, and is driving his wife crazy. To keep busy, he opens a marriage bureau. Thus begins this sweet story set in India. This book reminds me of Jan Karon's Mitford stories or The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (without the mystery). The book is mainly a series of vignettes of the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Ali and the others around them. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[awriterspen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the most uplifting books I've read this summer. Unlike so many books I've read that take place in India, this book was for the most part cheerful. The author effortlessly tells the story of Mr. Ali, a retired government clerk who sets up a matchmaking service in his home office. Mr. Ali confronts issues head on with wisdom and help from his wife. The characters were lovable, and I enjoyed learning more about arranged marriages, caste, and other Indian traditions that more often than not are cast in a negative light in Western literature. This light read made me smile and I hope to read more by this author in the future.

[akreese · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a fun story about the daily life of those who work at a marriage bureau in India. Throughout the book the reader will learn about some Indian marriage traditions as well as cultural tidbits from daily life.There is, of course, a romance - how could you have a story about a marriage bureau and not have a romance? Although, now that I think about it, most of the matches made via the bureau have nothing to do with romance. Most are arrangements made by the applicant's relatives, seeking matches of certain ethnic, financial, or educational backgrounds.Overall it is a low-key entertaining read. There are no high-stress situations in this book, no mysteries to be solved, just a nice relaxing story about the daily lives of the workers at the marriage bureau.

[goldnyght · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story appears, on the surface, to be a pretty light tale of match-making and romance. Once you look under that, though, you find a wealth of knowledge about Indian culture and social norms. I really enjoyed it in both respects.

[raven_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Ali has just retired. He is getting under his wife's feet and strangers are stealing his hibuscus. He has, therefore, decided to open a marriage bureau for rich people. Being a man of sound common sense, he's sure he can sort out other people's romantic lives for them.What follows is a very gentle story about romances and families, full of luscious detail about the South Indian setting and the many (many, many) weddings our heroes play their parts in. The characters are sweet and have heart, the plot is not overly taxing and there are lots of small touches of humour. So far, so good. It is, in fact, very hard to criticise this book: it makes one feel ungracious. But one thing grates: a failure to strike a balance. There is one type of book, the savage indictment of conservative Indian mores and the grief this may lead to; there's another type, which is set entirely within the Indian social structure and doesn't question it. This novel tries to tread the line between the two and ultimately fails to do so satisfactorily; while acknowledging the heroine (Aruna, Mr Ali's lovelorn assistant), her unhappiness and what adherence how the social structure has cost her, the book fails to follow through in its criticisms. (Particularly egregious, I found, was the refusal to question the dowry issue: a contemporary novel addressing the issue without even touching on the illegality of the custom and the horrors it continues to be responsible for is inexcusable. This may be a personal bias, and it may not, but it significantly affected my enjoyment of what was otherwise a lovely novel.)Other than this, the style is simplistic and can be clunky, and the plot turns can be a little too pat, but nothing major enough to really detract. It's a lovely book. It just makes everything a little too simple.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I heard this book described as a cross between Jane Austen and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency set in India, I could hardly contain myself. Just how many things that I love reading could one author load into one book? And really, how well could an author incorporate all of these disparate elements? Color me thrilled to be able to tell you that Zama incorporated them all beautifully. I really did love this book.Mr. Ali has been rather at loose ends since his retirement so he and his wife think that a marriage bureau will provide the perfect solution to his boredom. However, it is not long before his agency is awash in more work than he can handle, becoming more than the hobby it was intended. Mrs. Ali finds Aruna, a young woman who seems to be the perfect employee, despite the slight air of melancholy surrounding her. The novel weaves shorter stories about the people who come to Mr. Ali to find them their perfect match with the more involved stories of the Alis' son and the mystery in Aruna's life that accounts for her sadness. While seemingly simple in scope: connecting like-minded people in arranged marriages, there is more depth here than one originally suspects. But Zama doesn't dwell on the heavier subjects like the caste system, the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, reverence for and obedience towards parents, and the practice of corporate land grabbing. Instead, he touches on them lightly, acknowledging their importance in Indian life, but keeping this charming book less about the politics in India and more about the politics of marriage.The episodic feel of the marriages Mr. Ali arranges lend credence to the comparison to The No. One Ladies' Detective Agency and the thwarted romance between Aruna and one of the wealthy clients of the agency is his nod to Austen. But this novel is pure India and these pages will transport the reader to the sights and sound and people of the subcontinent. The cultural side notes and evocation of place were authentic and fascinating, reminding me of our own visit there a couple years ago. The characters were endearing and delightful and completely real. And the descriptions were vivid, colorful, and completely enticing. I hope that other readers find the joy in reading it that I did.

[pensivecat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The key reason I would recommend The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is simply because I didn't want to throw myself in front of a bus after finishing it. Nearly every novel I've read taking place in India has been so depressing. I was almost ready to give up reading fiction from that region. Not everything I read needs to be happy go lucky, of course, but neither was this book. There were examples of people who'd fallen into hard times, but it felt hopeful. At times it was almost idealistic, but I enjoyed getting to know Mr. and Mrs. Ali, the assistant Aruna, and the clients looking to arrange marriages for various family members. There was the humorous quip here and there, and two full descriptions of marriage customs. Not the highest brow thing I've ever read, but at least now I'm not down in the dumps.

[bookmagic_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is another great book under the Amy Einhorn imprint, along with The Help and The Postmistress.The novel takes place in southeast India. Mr. Ali is recently retired and decides to start a high class marriage business. Many marriages are arranged and he makes it easier by letting people search for a husband/wife via caste and other criteria. He hires a local girl, Aruni, as his assistant once the business takes off.Aruni has her own issues as she is of marriageable age, but her father can not afford for her to be married and lose her income. The Ali's have a son, Rehman, who is a protester of a large development company that wants to tear down villages.The novel takes us through a few months of their lives.my review: I enjoyed this book as I have other Einhorn books. It gives an interesting look at marriage in India, whether it be Muslim, Christian, or Hindu, and the customs and parameters that go along with this. The atmosphere was lovely and the characters interesting and likable, especially the long-suffering Mrs. Ali. This wasn't a deep novel as the dialogue was light but it had it's moments, mostly seen through Aruna. Aruna realized in their changed financial circumstances, she didn't have much of a choice, but she sickened of the whole experience and started protesting at being shown off to various people like a prize cow at a cattle mandi....This was the first proposal in almost a year. Aruna hoped it wouldn't start another round like last time, as she didn't want again to feel she was part of a cattle market.This was a quick and enjoyable read and I definitely recommend this one.my rating 4/5

[majorbabs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to like this book, and if it hadn't been so much like the Alexander McCall Smith #1 Ladies Detective Agency books -- and yet so far -- I probably would have. In other words, an independent reading of it would have benefited the author. That said, however, I found it interesting and well-written but without the charm and insight of the #1 books. A retired gentleman decides to set up a marriage bureau for, well, yes, rich people, and much of the book has to do with the ups and downs of that business. There are also local social issues, as well as familial issues, which was quite interesting, and I liked the characters. I just wanted it to be less like the #1 series and more like its own book. I will try to read it again in another year and see if I still agree with this assessment.

[andreablythe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In order to stave off his boredom (and avoid pestering his wife) after retirement, Mr. Ali decides to start a marriage bureau to help well-to-do families find suitable matches for their sons and daughters. As his list of clients grows, each asking for specific and occasionally peculiar characteristics of their spouse, Mr. Ali decides to hire Aruna as an assistant, a young women with a sorrowful past. This book started out a bit slow for me. Zama has a somewhat sparse style, which at first felt a bit blunt in its directness, and the dialog sometimes feels a bit old fashioned, but his style grew on me as the story went along and as it resembled more and more a comedy of manners similar in style to Jane Austen. Another aspect that slowed me down at first was the introduction of so many characters in a short amount of time, from Mr. and Mrs. Ali to their housekeeper to Aruna to the many new and interesting clients that come in the door. However, Zama manages to bring together the fluttering threads and weave them together in a sweet tale that touches upon various religions and the politics of the cast system, while also looking at marriage and love and where the two meet in a country of arranged marriages. Zama shares the ins and outs of the culture, occasionally comparing Western views to Indian Islamic and Indian Hindi views of family and marriage. He presents intimate looks at two marriages, one Islamic and one Hindi, and incorporates cultural traditions naturally into the storyline. Though I can't be sure of his motives, its as though Zama wants to show how though these traditions are different, they can coexist without conflict, and like Mr. Ali, he doesn't judge anyone for their beliefs. So, despite the slow beginning, by the final chapters I was enthralled and couldn't put it down. When I finally finished it, I did so with a smile and I am looking forward to see what stories Zama produces in the future.

[clara53_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I caught myself thinking how much this simple narrative writing style resembles that of A.McCall Smith's (in his "N0.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series). Same simplicity that at first is deceivingly plain but gradually engages the reader with its sincerity. Also, how refreshing it is to see Hindus and Muslims living peacefully side by side as neighbors. And no - it's not an illusion, I've seen plenty examples of it being true; it's just that we are so used to media's shocking portrayal of animosity between people of these two religions - while in real everyday life it is often like this: families coexisting, friendships flourishing, people helping each other, respecting each others' beliefs. I say "thank you" to the author for bringing this to life.... Why didn't I give this book a higher rating? Simply because some of the dialogues seemed a bit artificial - though, I must admit that the idea behind always shone through.

[lyzzybee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

02 April 2011 - from AliLike the stories of R.K. Narayan (and that's praise indeed) or the No. 1 Ladies' series, these deceptively simple stories of an Indian marriage bureau are entertaining and truthful. The book aims to tell us about modern India, and succeeds in doing so, which adds a lot of interest. Clever use of the sentence structure to explain unfamiliar terms and excellent use of Mrs Ali's English essays to explain wider concepts. Charming, but with a bite.

[punxsygal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a debut novel, this was a delightful vacation book. Mr. Ali, retired, decides to open a marriage bureau for arranged marriages on the verandah of his home. The business starts slowly but gradually the list of clients grows. With wisdom and finesse, along with comments from his wife, Mr. Ali gives advice to his clients and nudges some of the matches along. However, his relationship with his son is a different matter.

[worldlit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a great casual read. The storyline is light-hearted, but book also contains some interesting information about Indian customs and traditions regarding weddings, courtship and matchmaking.

[knitgeisha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Zama does a great job of describing the minutia of Indian culture. His descriptions of everyday life are colorful and absorbing. Unfortunately, the plot gets kind of lost in all of the detail. It's a cute love story but it feels kind of thrown in. I would still recommend this book for anyone interested in Indian culture but as a love story it is a little lacking.

[njmom3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People presents a slice of life in India. A retired gentlemen opens a marriage bureau. Through this context, the author presents an image of Indian life as it relates to family, politics, the caste system, the marriage and dowry system, and relationships. The book hits on many serious social issues, but does so in a very "readable and relatable" way. Some of the situations are resolved in a somewhat idealistic way, but still an enjoyable story.

[texliz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a very good read, sweet, gentle and, for me, educational. Much info about arranged marriages and the caste system. The author has a great sense of humor, I plan to read the sequels.

[ridgewaygirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Ali is retired and bored. His wife is frustrated with his continual presence disrupting her long-standing routine. So Mr. Ali sets up a small business as a marriage arranger to keep himself busy. He's soon busy and his wife finds him an assistant to help him. The story line is pleasant to read, but not slight. While the emphasis is on the light-hearted joys and tribulations of finding the right matches for his clients, Farahad Zama doesn't shy away from the more difficult aspects of Indian society. Mr. Ali's son is involved in protests around a planned industrial park and his assistant, Aruna, as well as his maid, have problems produced by poverty. Mr. Ali is a stubborn man, more so when he knows he is in the wrong.The best thing about this book is the effortless way that it gives the reader a peak at daily life and marriage customs in India. Zama is Indian, but has lived for sixteen years in Britain. He understands what benefits from a brief description and writes well enough that those explanations flow naturally within the story. He writes vividly of the what, adding bits of why as needed. From a trip to shop for a new sari, to attending both a muslim and a hindi wedding, the reader is given a valuable and entertaining glimpse into another culture.

[smithsj01_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charming, light and entertaining are three suitable words that describe this book. It is a curl-up-on-the-sofa kind of read; nothing challenging and nothing stimulating. I agree with one reviewer on Amazon who says that the author sometimes intrudes on the narrative to explain an aspect of Indian culture through a character and that it just isn’t necessary. There are times when the book becomes a little irritating as the plot becomes painstakingly obvious from a quarter through. Regardless of this though, it is still a lovely story about a traditional beliefs and values. What I have found surprising is that I just can’t write a review that encompasses all the finer points and gets to grip with the storyline. Maybe this just reflects my opening comments that there’s nothing really grips the reader, it is simply a light-hearted romance and nothing more. If I had nothing else to read I’d happily go on to read more by this author but he isn't one I’d seek out as soon as it is published. A nice holiday read though.

[lizabellereader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gave me a new vision of Indian through the eyes of heart warming characters.

[carolinetrevor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing array of characters are found within this hugely enjoyable book that did not fail to make me smile.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Publishers like to compare the works of their new authors to Alexander McCall Smith's popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. When I've read books that make that comparison, I don't see the connection, and I've attributed the claim to wishful thinking. Not in this case. Farahad Zama's debut feels very much like McCall Smith's. It's not the physical setting, because obviously the physical geography of the east coast of India is very different from that of Botswana. It's the characters that have the same feel. Mr. Ali, proprietor of the Marriage Bureau for Rich People, is as wise and kind as Mma Ramotswe, and the cast of supporting characters equals that of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books.Zama's affection for the city of his birth is evident in the descriptions of place and customs. Since he has included both Muslims and Hindus in the central cast of characters, the reader learns of the customs of people of both religions and some of the differences between them. As the business grows and clients find matches through Mr. Ali's services, the Alis attend both a traditional Muslim and a traditional Hindu wedding. Since the central characters each have unmarried relatives, the author has plenty of material for future installments in the series. This is a promising debut, and I look forward to getting to know the characters better in future books in the series. Recommended for all who enjoy gentle reads.