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Bloß (K)eine Heirat
MANNY WANTS TO BE A FOOTBALLER. OR A POP STAR. OR WRITE A BESTSELLER. HE DOESN'T WANT TO GET MARRIED...
'Harry and Ranjit were waiting for me - waiting to take me to Derby, to a wedding. My wedding. A wedding that I hadn't asked for, that I didn't want. To a girl who I didn't know... If they had bothered to open their eyes, they would have seen me: seventeen, angry, upset b...more
'Harry and Ranjit were waiting for me - waiting to take me to Derby, to a wedding. My wedding. A wedding that I hadn't asked for, that I didn't want. To a girl who I didn't know... If they had bothered to open their eyes, they would have seen me: seventeen, angry, upset b...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
2002
by Suerlander
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This is a brilliant book for Leicester locals who will really appreciate the loving eye Bali Rai has cast on the city. Unless you live here it is very difficult to explain the amazing mixture of cultures and all the joys and difficulties that can bring. Bali Rai does a great job of exploring this through his (slightly bland) hero. Having been lucky enough to meet the author, I know that he brings this passion about multiculturalism to kids in person, and is an inspirational speaker that really e...more
Super good book. It has new modern English slang and Punjabi Indian strict old fashioned family. To a young teenage boy Munny, who has born in England and so far is totally different from the rest of his family who prefers Punjab culture most, not like Munny - modern England's culture. He prefers to hang out with his best mate who is denied by the rest of Munny's family-cos they dislike anyone whos white, brown and no Punjubi. The story is about inner fight and struggling within your own family...more
This was a well-written book, with its heart in the right place, and some genuine attempts at offering insight into a world very alien to a lot of people.
The problem is that Manny's family all read like caricatures who are made so unpleasant as to be completely unbelievable. Similarly, his friends, particularly girlfriend Lisa, are only really there for Manny to re-iterate his dilemmas to, and aren't characters in their own right.
There's also a terrible case of an adult author trying to be down...more
The problem is that Manny's family all read like caricatures who are made so unpleasant as to be completely unbelievable. Similarly, his friends, particularly girlfriend Lisa, are only really there for Manny to re-iterate his dilemmas to, and aren't characters in their own right.
There's also a terrible case of an adult author trying to be down...more
i found this book interesting as it is probably a personal experience about a teenager going thru an arranged marriage.
this topic of is a big issue amonsgt the Sikh communities of Uk as i discovered when i was a student there. The writer is trapped in a very orthodox traditional family which is totally at odds with the anglo cultural influence on the younger generation.
however the writer seemed to write this book in a very angry tone, as if to vent personal feelings. sadly, the sikh community'...more
this topic of is a big issue amonsgt the Sikh communities of Uk as i discovered when i was a student there. The writer is trapped in a very orthodox traditional family which is totally at odds with the anglo cultural influence on the younger generation.
however the writer seemed to write this book in a very angry tone, as if to vent personal feelings. sadly, the sikh community'...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 02, 2008
Raselius
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teachers, and anyone who work with immigrants experiencing culture clashes
We read this book at an English book club at my job. We all really liked it and found many things to discuss. Since we work with immigrants in Sweden it was very relevant. The story is very realistic and I thought it was fresh to see the perspective of a man who is being pushed into marriage by his family. The huge gap between his parents and most other relatives and himself is interesting to read about and has tragic consequences when they abandon him in India without his passport or money. You...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This was a quick and easy read. A mostly likeable collection of family and friend characters set against cultural differences and intolerances on all sides. The main plot centres around a young lad British by birth, Punjabi by heritage and his fight against his parent's wishes to arrange a marriage for him the minute he finishes school. The author deals with the topic sensitively and with moments of humour. Not my usual genre of book, but it was an enlightening read with some very nice philosoph...more
Okay..
This is going to be a sort of review that's difficult to write because I have so many things to say but when putting them on paper..or should I say into this box..is quite a hard task.
I'm going to first discuss my opinion of the author.
You can clearly realise that the plot in un(arranged) marriage has a deeper meaning, a meaning that relates in quite a lot of ways to Bali Rai's life.
Bali and a lot of things in common with Manny, the main character in the book (You can read his short biogra...more
This is going to be a sort of review that's difficult to write because I have so many things to say but when putting them on paper..or should I say into this box..is quite a hard task.
I'm going to first discuss my opinion of the author.
You can clearly realise that the plot in un(arranged) marriage has a deeper meaning, a meaning that relates in quite a lot of ways to Bali Rai's life.
Bali and a lot of things in common with Manny, the main character in the book (You can read his short biogra...more
07/20/08
TITLE/AUTHOR: (Un)Arranged Marriage by Bali Rai
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2001/272 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
TIME/PLACE: Late 1990's/UK & India
CHARACTERS: Manjit/young man of Indian descent living in UK
FIRST LINES: No way! I'm not getting married.
COMMENTS:
06/12 rec as bookcrossing ring/ray. Manny (Manrit) is 13 yrs old and is dreading his 17th birthday. The day he will be married -- prearranged by his parents in the Punjabi way. He lives in the UK w/ his fam...more
TITLE/AUTHOR: (Un)Arranged Marriage by Bali Rai
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2001/272 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
TIME/PLACE: Late 1990's/UK & India
CHARACTERS: Manjit/young man of Indian descent living in UK
FIRST LINES: No way! I'm not getting married.
COMMENTS:
06/12 rec as bookcrossing ring/ray. Manny (Manrit) is 13 yrs old and is dreading his 17th birthday. The day he will be married -- prearranged by his parents in the Punjabi way. He lives in the UK w/ his fam...more
Jun 10, 2007
Sarah Sammis
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
released,
read-in-2007
I can't remember why I added (Un)Arranged Marriage to my wishlist but I'm glad I did. The book is written in the style of the Adrian Mole or George Nicholson books except that Manjit (aka Manny), the protagonist, actually does something to improve his life beyond writing about how awful things are.
This short book (270 pages) covers in flashback Manny's upcoming arranged marriage, his abusive family, his conflicted feelings over being British and Punjabi and his desire for a better life. At firs...more
This short book (270 pages) covers in flashback Manny's upcoming arranged marriage, his abusive family, his conflicted feelings over being British and Punjabi and his desire for a better life. At firs...more
I thought that it was a good book, but slightly slow in the middle. And I thought that the narrator, main character guy- Manny was too naive, it got a little frustrating.
Actually extremely frustrating, he couldn't seem to see the most blatant of things, and his decisions just seem so wrongly made, like he acted completely on impulse, which is weird because he talks about this plan and he just keeps fucking with it, which irritated me.
Actually extremely frustrating, he couldn't seem to see the most blatant of things, and his decisions just seem so wrongly made, like he acted completely on impulse, which is weird because he talks about this plan and he just keeps fucking with it, which irritated me.
An interesting look at the problems a teenage Punjabi boy faces growing up in modern-day England. However, what made me want to write this review is that I'd like to share some of Bali Rai's hilarious author biography: 'after seeing the inside cover photos, he (Bali Rai) thinks that Bollywood might call. Failing that he will get on with his next project if his agent can get him out of bed in time.'
this is honestly one of the worst books i've ever read. the main character is supposed to be open minded and intelligent but is in reality really dumb and selfish. the end was also more than a disappointment. i'll be so happy to talk about this book more in my english class in the future...not.
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I didn't really enjoy this book as much as Bali Rai's other book did, Rani and Sukh. The book was okay, nothing big. I took my time to read it cause it didn't really interest me. Rani and Sukh is still my favourite Bali Rai book, though I've only read 2 (Rani and Sukh and (Un)arranged Marriages.
Brilliant, a sensitive and thorough exploration of a topic very alien to most people in western society. It makes arranged marriages more real, and highlights what an issue they can be to young people, even in the UK.
a highly amusing read, with a serious meaning beneath it all. It was bound to have more of an impact considering part of the book is set in India and I just happened to be there whilst reading.
Feb 21, 2013
Seirlyn Herondale
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013,
books-i-bought
OMG the author came this morning at school and I just bought this book. Its only a fiver so yeah! :D Im so happy an author like him came to our school. He has a good sense of humour as well! :D
We had to read this book at school and study it, which completely ruined the book, if i hadn't read it at school i think i would have really liked it!
I really enjoyed this book! Read it quite a while ago, so I think I'll read it again but if you're really interested in stuff about culture take a read!
Made me re think about the whole culture from a different angle. We all assume that it's only girls that get forced into marriage.
Alot Of People Have Been Either Forced Into Marriage Or Its Arranged By Family. This Book Shows You Your Own Way To Get Out Of It.
Even after three-four odd years I still remember reading this book. A memorable read and worth picking up.
My teatcher made me read this, but in swedis.... i dont like it much... it was okay.
this was ok...expected it to have a better storyline, but ok for a light read:)
As an example of "Young Adult Fiction" this is an excellent book.
It's a well-written narrative and can also be read enjoyably by adults of any age. Bali Rai succeeds in shaping a central character, Manny (Manjit), whose personality and narrative voice maintains its authenticity to the very end.
It's a well-written narrative and can also be read enjoyably by adults of any age. Bali Rai succeeds in shaping a central character, Manny (Manjit), whose personality and narrative voice maintains its authenticity to the very end.
My first and favourite Bali Rai novel
Really good book! I can recomend it :)
Great book can't stop reading!
Although this book is quite old, it still brings a different perspective to the emotions surrounding arranged marriage and social cohesion. I would love all my students to read this and imagine themselves as one if the characters.....
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Bali Rai is an author of books for teenage readers and winner of the Leicester Book Award and The Angus Book Award.
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