This book came along after a longish stretch of ho-hum books and in that sense it was a breath of fresh air. Light, informative and short - it reminded me of the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency, except this book takes place in India and deals with arranged marriages and all things family. The book doesn't deal with socio-political issues, with homeless or destitute people, but it does shed some light on the whole process of finding a match and the criteria that goes into it, as well as many bits of social culture.

When Mr. Ali retires from his government job, he decides he could probably add some extra income and enjoyment from opening a marriage bureau from his house. He puts up a sign, puts an ad in the newspaper and soon the customers start showing up. Mothers looking for wives for their sons, single adults looking for a 2nd chance -- all sorts of people come in looking for marriage. Mr. Ali has to hire an assistant, Aruna, who helps enormously with the work and adds a feminine touch to the business. Within the stories, the issues of caste, arranged marriages, social levels, education and expectations are all well explored. Very good reading.

"Richness does not mean having a great amount of property; rather, true wealth is self-contentment."


" I am not saying that you should be the only one to compromise, but you are the only person you have control over.”