Love Comes Later

Mar 08, 2013 Wendy Janes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Neither Abdulla nor Hind feel particularly positive about their impending marriage, and both welcome the temporary reprieve granted by Hind’s year of study in London. There she meets fellow student, Sangita, and the two women form a close friendship, despite differences in religion and culture. The sudden appearance of Sangita’s brother, Ravi, sets in motion a chain of events that test loyalties to the limit.

I found the first quarter of this story difficult to get in to. I was confused as to wha...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Vibina Venugopal rated it 4 of 5 stars

The title reminded me somehow about the famous song "Love will keep us alive" by Eagles...I can go on and on and on about it....Okay now about this book, I fell in love with it by page one, though my after thoughts as I went on have been mixed..Most often the initial kick or the feel always stays with me...
At first I imagined it to be of Abdullah's struggle to keep up with his lost love but hey then came in Hind showcasing a woman trying to uphold an independent Qatari lady's life with all its r...more The title reminded me somehow about the famous song "Love will keep us alive" by Eagles...I can go on and on and on about it....Okay now about this book, I fell in love with it by page one, though my after thoughts as I went on have been mixed..Most often the initial kick or the feel always stays with me...
At first I imagined it to be of Abdullah's struggle to keep up with his lost love but hey then came in Hind showcasing a woman trying to uphold an independent Qatari lady's life with all its restrictions..At this point I liked it even more ..To complete the circle comes Sangita..The vivacious full spirited Sangita is the complete opposite of Hind..They meet in their class and from then on their rapport makes them room mates...Sangita American with her Indian lineage has many things common to Hind..Both parents wish to settle their respective daughters by getting them married.. Their education and other things take back seat for them..Yet these girls somehow manage to keep all this aside travel to England for education..Hind escapes her home (middle east) away from the life of scarfs and refrain...While Sangita from her mother's groom hunt...Hind's sudden disappearance to India to explore her horizon followed by unexpected entry of Abdullah at Hind's residence creates a full swing of drama entwined with anticipation..Sangita and Adullah's sudden flame was a bit unfathomable.. But like they say Love has unusual circumstances and situations to lighten up..That being said what I loved later is the stand taken by Abdullah to stand by his word and feelings with full honesty in spite of the odds presenting his love in front of his family...
Love can transform people and attitude which is wonderfully portrayed by the three main characters of the novel... Abdullah's three years mourning for his lost love Fatima and his reluctant step towards his second marriage for the sake of his family is all well crafted by Mohanalakshmi... Sangita who had numerous questions about the orthodox life of a Muslim easily slips into it when a whip love caresses her (now that is not a oxymoron)..While Hind desires to fly high beyond her family horizons and ahead of the line drawn by her family....Tale beautifully transcends from Qatar to Britain then back to Qatar with a hitch...
It is not just about love and loss but also about the variant of human emotions that sparkles through each one of us..Friendship, faith, honesty, sibling love all are beautifully done..A special mention about Luluwa who brightens bringing smiles on the readers face...
Mohanalakshmi effortlessly portrays the lives of all the cultures..Lives of the aristocratic middle east family who are wrapped in traditional burk ha above the designer label like Alexander Mcqueen..Brands like Gucci, Mac goes hand in hand with the Hijab, Niqab,Ghutra....
The book is a wonderful read and anyone who wants an touch of these culture would find is amazing...(less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Angela Amman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading Love Comes Later from Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar makes me acutely aware of the intricacies of Arab culture, in this case the culture of Qatar, a small and incredibly wealthy country in the Arab Gulf.

Love Comes Later tackles difficult subjects: multicultural romance between Muslim Arabs and Hindu Indians, arranged or orchestrated marriages, dowries, the stark gender differences in Qatar's culture, finding love amongst a culture that regards marriage as a transaction driven by tradition, fina...more Reading Love Comes Later from Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar makes me acutely aware of the intricacies of Arab culture, in this case the culture of Qatar, a small and incredibly wealthy country in the Arab Gulf.

Love Comes Later tackles difficult subjects: multicultural romance between Muslim Arabs and Hindu Indians, arranged or orchestrated marriages, dowries, the stark gender differences in Qatar's culture, finding love amongst a culture that regards marriage as a transaction driven by tradition, finances, and nationalism.

The novel follows the stories of Abdulla and Hind, cousins engaged to be married, both less than willingly. Abdullah is a young widower opposed to a second marriage and Hind is searching for something outside of the limited boundaries of her arranged marriage. When Hind leaves for one year to finish a graduate program in London, her new friendship with Sangita and Ravi, Indians raised primarily in the United States, it becomes difficult for Abdulla and Hind to return to the life expected of them in Qatar. Complicating matters is the seriousness of a Qatari engagement -- effectively Abdulla and Hind are legally married when the engagement contract is signed by their families.

The strength in Rajakumar's writing is seen in the sections of the novel set in Qatar. She treats the handling of Arab traditions with care while providing an objective look into the paradox that can be found between the wealthy, technologically-rich Qatar and the conservative traditions and laws that still govern the nation. A small sub-plot involving memories of Abdulla and Hind's grandfather of a woman he once loved highlights the struggle to reconcile traditional and modern thought.

Arab culture can be harshly judged as misogynistic, pointing to the restrictions on Arab women from their modest outer garments to their lack of freedom and choice about their futures. Rajakumar effectively shows the restrictions in the culture are not limited to the women. Men may have more options than the women, from the right to divorce to the ability to marry a non-Qatari, but they are also held to particular traditions and familial hierarchies that afford less choice than one might expect.

Love Comes Later is both a romance and a window into a culture driven by labels -- from Gucci and BlackBerry to fiancée and whore. Rajakumar's scope is wide, reaching from Qatar to London and India, and at times the characters feel rushed, their motivation and their actions slightly out of step. Yet overall, the story works; the reader is unfolding and understanding the characters almost as they are coming to realize what they want for themselves -- and if those things are possible within the confines of their lives.(less)

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Oct 08, 2012 Albert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall Feedback: I found this to be a great mix of emotions with very eloquent writing. The author whisks you away on a journey through a culture you may have only thought you knew. Without a doubt this author has talent and the masses should take notice.

Point of View: The point a view is perfect for the story and allows the reader to gain a deeper knowledge of the characters and the situations that arise.

Voice: A culture is more than its appearance.

Character Development: Well crafted and thoug...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Cheri Roman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Point of view. Every set of eyes has its own. Individual perspective is influenced by gender, culture, religion and socio-economic level, as well as a host of other factors too complex and numerous to mention. Everyone has their own viewpoint, and it is only with great effort that we are able to see through another’s eyes. Love Comes Later” by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar not only makes that effort, but succeeds in providing an understanding of culture and faith that may be very different from her re...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Ang Harris rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a story about culture, family, heritage, loyalty, friendship, and love. It centers on Abdulla, a Muslim from Qatar, who suffers the loss of his young wife and unborn child at the beginning of the story. From there, we start to learn about Abdulla and his life as a Qatari male living in Doha. Many intricacies of Muslim culture are explained in vivid detail: the duties of a young man toward his family, the expected roles of women in the household, and the complex rules and traditions regar...more This is a story about culture, family, heritage, loyalty, friendship, and love. It centers on Abdulla, a Muslim from Qatar, who suffers the loss of his young wife and unborn child at the beginning of the story. From there, we start to learn about Abdulla and his life as a Qatari male living in Doha. Many intricacies of Muslim culture are explained in vivid detail: the duties of a young man toward his family, the expected roles of women in the household, and the complex rules and traditions regarding arranged marriage and familial ties.

Eventually, Abdulla’s family begins to pressure him to marry again. He still feels guilt over his wife’s death and doesn’t want to remarry, but eventually yields to two families’ wish, and agrees to marry a cousin, Hind, a modern woman who has been educated in the west, and longs to return to London. She doesn’t want to marry either, especially a man she hasn’t seen since childhood. She agrees to the marriage on one condition: that she is allowed one more year in London to complete her Master’s Degree.

We are then taken from Doha to London, where Hind meets Sangita, a British woman of Indian descent. They bond over the many similarities in Arab and South Asian culture and the heavy responsibilities of duty to one’s family. They become close friends and roommates. One day, Sangita’s brother, Ravi, shows up on the doorstep and within a short time, Sangita finds herself alone, as Hind runs off to India on an adventure with Ravi.

Abdulla, who has come to London, wants to talk to Hind about terminating the marriage agreement. Abdulla is a modern thinking man, but he’s also a product of his religion, and he’s shocked at Hind’s actions: in his culture, she’s done an unforgivable thing by running off with a man who is not her husband, much less one who’s not Muslim. However, she’s also given him a legitimate reason to terminate the contract.

As Sangita and Abdulla wait for Hind and Ravi, they spend several days exploring the differences between their cultures, and both enjoy the freedom London has compared to their home lives. They become friends, and then feel a growing attraction to each other. Things grow heated when Ravi and Hind finally show up, and Sangita’s and Hind’s friendship is strained.

Regardless of the worries of her family, Sangita is willing to give up her life in London in order to live by the restrictions imposed on Muslim woman in Qatar, and despite the possible denunciation of Abdulla’s family, they struggle to marry and start a new life together.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is rich and lovely. Rajakumar, who lives and works in Qatar, describes the daily life in such rich detail, from the embroidery on the abayas (a loose robe worn by women to cover their bodies in front of men while out in public) to the rituals of Khutouba (the engagement ceremony after which the couple is considered legally married). Supporting characters (such as the young sister-in-law) are woven into the story with creativity and brightness. I especially liked the subtle narrative of the grandfather’s lost Indian love, which
plays out in a major way for the central couple at the end of the story. Every action is written with purpose, even something as simple as making a cup of tea. The story, about people caught between the modern world and a traditional upbringing, is well crafted and relevant to today’s ever changing society. Love Comes Later is a book that I will enjoy reading again.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. (less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Inga rated it 5 of 5 stars

My review:

Love Comes Later by Mohana Rajakumar awed me. It was a fascinating page turner, smoothly written and I could not put it down before the last page was turned. It was brilliantly created masterpiece which combined traditions, religion, family topics and last but not least also the complication of love. It was all and nothing what I expected, but I truly enjoyed it!

Plot:

Abdulla lost his wife few years ago and finds him in a situation where his family thinks he should re-marry. His fami...more My review:

Love Comes Later by Mohana Rajakumar awed me. It was a fascinating page turner, smoothly written and I could not put it down before the last page was turned. It was brilliantly created masterpiece which combined traditions, religion, family topics and last but not least also the complication of love. It was all and nothing what I expected, but I truly enjoyed it!

Plot:

Abdulla lost his wife few years ago and finds him in a situation where his family thinks he should re-marry. His family is convinced that Abdulla is not capable of finding him a new spouse and they organize an arranged married for him. Arranged married is not something Abdulla finds appealing and this is where the story starts off.

Abdulla's expected new wife is Hind is neither excited about the marriage and besides that, Hind's roommate in London during the studies - Sangita - is also complicating things furthermore and relationships and love gets interesting.

The mixture of bringing three different traditions - Qatar Muslim, Hindu and European - together gave a lot extra to the story. It added extra color and fascination for reading this book. The author gives excellent insight into contemporary Qatari society with oil money, contradictions and different values.

Love Comes Later is an excellent title for this book! One of the prejudices about arranged marriage is that you will learn to love your spouse, it does not have to happen right away. Besides that, Abdulla truly finds his love, just little later and unexpected way. I have to admit, that with very different cultural background and traditions, I will never be able to understand the idea of arranged marriages, but the reading experience of Love Comes Later was not disturbed by my own thoughts about it.

Characters:

Abdulla was cute. Yes, cute. There were times where he got me angry and I wanted to shake him and tell him to man up, but there were parts of me that really liked his loyalty to his family, his rebellion towards what was forced upon him and his . Abdulla grew with the story and it was visible, that author enjoyed writing his character.

There were quite many characters in the book and it took me little time to familiarize myself with all of them. It was confusing in the beginning of the story, probably because of the many strange sounding names and due to the amount of the supportive characters. But the total picture of Love Comes Later was colorful and alive and I loved that.

Generally:

Love Comes Later is a book about differences, be it cultural, religious or interracial. Yet it shows, that whatever the background we have, love knows no boundaries. It can be complicated and hard, but at the very end it does not matter. What matters is who is the person whom you end up with. I highly recommend Love Comes Later!(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Linda Parkinson-Hardman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Love Comes Later is a beautifully precise and observed examination in fictional format of the 'arranged marriage' in the Arab culture of Qatar. Although there is no 'force' involved, a great deal of family pressure is brought to bear on young men and women whatever their level of education and status in the community. The story weaves a plot that splits the action between Doha and London, providing a fascinating contrast between the different cultural mores. With central characters who are Qatar...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Maimoona Rahman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Qatar to me stands for quiet Ramadan months, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton toting Qataris (because I have seen way too many rich nationals in Qatar than I have seen in any other country, and no, I am not generalising that all Qataris carry themselves in designer wear) and giant malls, which people now think are crawling with arsonists. Qatar also stands for a huge expat community some of whom you try to hide from, like South Asian construction workers who live without their families here,...more Qatar to me stands for quiet Ramadan months, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton toting Qataris (because I have seen way too many rich nationals in Qatar than I have seen in any other country, and no, I am not generalising that all Qataris carry themselves in designer wear) and giant malls, which people now think are crawling with arsonists. Qatar also stands for a huge expat community some of whom you try to hide from, like South Asian construction workers who live without their families here, and some whom you try to impress, like Westerners, whose bachelorfolk are allowed into malls on family days if they are white while brown bachelors are not and the one allowing them in is inevitably always a brown security guard.

There’s none of that in Love Comes Later, and there’s all of that because I guess if you are an expat you can’t really write about Qatar without mentioning the burgeoning expat community that has reached bursting point and the ubiquitous designer bags in the hands of many Qatari females. Love Comes Later came as an interesting read because it is the first book I have read with Qatari characters in it. Romance is not my ideal read to beat workplace boredom, but I think this is not so much genre fiction as it is semi-literary with its emphasis on characters and culture as it does discuss several of the cultural phenomena typical to the region, the most important being the importance of designer wear and makeup, the need for a large number of South Asian and South East Asian domestic workers, religion, and gender inequality. You can tell this book has been written by an expat because of the details Rajakumar chooses to mention while narrating the story from the perspective of Qatari characters, like designer wear, many overdramatic aunts and uncles living in the same family compound, and the nationality of domestic workers, stuff Qataris would not find necessary to describe if they wrote their own story. Nonetheless, it’s a good book with zero irreverence and lots of, well, love.

So the précis is that a widowed Qatari guy, Abdullah, is forced to remarry mere three years after the death of his first wife, to whom he was barely married a year. His grandfather is dying and marriage cannot be postponed. His father and uncles, who live in the same family compound, want to pressure him into agreeing to yet another arranged marriage. He doesn’t like the girl they have chosen for him, bookish first cousin Hind, perhaps because he doesn’t know her well enough and he is yet to forget the car accident to which he lost his first wife. When he secretly goes to the UK—where Hind is doing her Master’s—before his impending marriage, to share his dilemma, her Indian roommate, Sangita, falls in love with him.

If love will truly come after marriage is a toss-up, and Abdullah is reluctant to go through the same arranged marriage ritual again to please his family and prove he is a man. Is this how all Qatari men act? #1) This is a single story, and this is not the story of all Qatari men. But, considering that these characters behave like this because marriage is an important social convention in Qatari society, it cannot be said men are shallow. Marriage and family life is important in this region not just to save face in society (Abdullah’s colleagues think he is gay), but also because building a family is just as important. #2) Widows all over the globe are asked to consider remarriage because people think it will help them overcome the grief of losing their spouse. Being a society where arranged marriage is the norm, Abdullah’s family do not expect him to find a bride on his own, and hence they find a bride for him. I guess marriage in this region is important for reasons we expats don’t understand and it is interesting how the story doesn’t comment on if arranged marriages are bad, because Abdullah’s first marriage was arranged too and it seemed one he was happy with.

A friend on Twitter commented on how shallow people in Qatar seem in the book. Remember, if you are not Qatari, then you are looking at this book as an expat, and unless you are incredibly rich, it is difficult to imagine people wearing Alexander McQueen tees at home like ordinary people wear pyjamas. Perfumes, bags, make-up, heels (OMG! I tell you this country seems obsessed with heels) might seem awkward, but in this oil-rich country, locals with means—and not all locals are rich—are fashionable, and why shouldn’t they be if they have the means. Are they being wasteful? You really can’t say they are because many I know are as charitable as they are fashionable. People live according to their means after all.

Qataris are not very fond of foreign brides (or grooms, but men are more prone to falling in love with foreigners while women barely fall in love before marriage), let alone Indian brides, and the question is if perhaps because in the expat community hierarchy, South Asians occupy the working class, that it is difficult to accept Indian brides. There is an Indian maid, Anita, and two Indian drivers in the book, Ramzan and Narin. Well honestly, any part of the world you go to, people would rather you marry one of your kind than someone from someplace else. I could totally see the face of the Lebanese hair dresser in my head to whom Sangita goes to do her hair because the clientele in the salon is mostly designer bag touting Qataris and Sangita is an ordinary Indian who needs to work (albeit her father is not “poor”). It is true to an extent that expats in Qatar are more racists than Qataris themselves.

If this book has any lesson at all, and I hate claiming books have lessons, it is that unbending cultural norms can be catastrophic although people claim they are the outcome of our ancestor’s wisdom. Like people, wisdom should evolve too, yeah?

This book has an excellent focus on women’s issues and religion. Everything society does ties the noose around women a little tighter. Things are not just bad for Abdullah; they are worse for Hind. But like there are people who don’t think women should be let out without a chaperone ever, there are people who think of women as their equals.

I don’t know how a native would take this book by an expat, but as an expat myself, I was pleased Love Comes Later has none of the irreverence for the region or its people that you would expect non-Arabs to have for “Arabs”. If I were to write this book, I would perhaps ridicule all the designer shoes and handbags and the need to have South Asian domestics, because I am a bitch. Sometimes.(less)

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Jul 20, 2012 Diana Manos rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: any age, any gender

This was a beautifully written, carefully crafted novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It dealt with some delicate issues, including prejudice, religion, tradition, strongly encouraged and/or "arranged" marriage and culture clash. It draws the reader in so deeply and quickly, it is both a literary novel and a page-turner all in one. It was the first time, as a Christian and a Westerner, that I was truly able to feel and grasp on a personal level the lifestyle of people living i...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Christine D. rated it 5 of 5 stars

When you think of Qatar what is the first image that your neurons conjure? For me, it was a barrel seeping with crude oil. Yes, I am ashamed that such a diverse and exotic country was reduced to a stereotype in my mind. This is why I decided to take on reviewing this book. I wanted to have a cultural experience so I could value the country for what it really is.

Reading Love Comes Later, has taught me a grand lesson - to never judge a book by its cover. Literally, I was not a fan of the cover of...more When you think of Qatar what is the first image that your neurons conjure? For me, it was a barrel seeping with crude oil. Yes, I am ashamed that such a diverse and exotic country was reduced to a stereotype in my mind. This is why I decided to take on reviewing this book. I wanted to have a cultural experience so I could value the country for what it really is.

Reading Love Comes Later, has taught me a grand lesson - to never judge a book by its cover. Literally, I was not a fan of the cover of the book. But then, that does not mean the content would have been bad. Just a personal thing.

Figuratively, I wanted to have more insight on the true beauty of Qatar and its people, rather than sticking to the Western portrayal as Qatar being a place of oil, sand dunes, and pearl diving. This book did a marvelous job at that. I have proudly extended my already limited foreign language vocabulary and realized what it is like to be a Muslim living in Qatar or a Hindu in the United States. I guess that Rajukumar was hoping for Love Comes Later to be a microcosm of a country she cherishes.

A strong element of this multicultural read was its plot. This novel had an intricate story-line With so many characters, it was sometimes hard to keep up with who was who. I eventually made a little key guide to each character and their role. I actually enjoyed doing that. The first few pages were intense and tragic. It was really "in your face". I was a bit scared to continue reading, but eventually the events subdued to unravel the somber Abdulla as he mourns the loss of his loved one. I do not want to give away the plot, but I must say I was completely satisfied when I finished the book. I will definitely read it over again.

Such an exciting plot, could not be without a spectacular dramatis personae of rounded characters. I noticed that most of them were influenced by Western ideals. I did not find this surprising at all living in a Central American country. It is so easy to displace your optimum culture for the sake of freedom from religious and other traditional restraints. Rajakumar was very blatant that the leading family was Westernized, yet they still clung to many of their traditional Muslim beliefs. I know it must have been so difficult to translate such conflicting ideas to paper, but Rajakumar was excellent - she was diplomatic . Then like every good book, there is that twist. Let me tell you that the twist in Love Comes Later will hit you like a brick. Soon you are entangled in a web of lovers, which is when the read picks up its pace.

Though there is a host of characters, not all of them are profound enough to mention. Abdulla, the main character, is a widower who places all the guilt of his wife and unborn child's death on his hands. He is absorbed in his business and shuts himself away from his family and his deity. I was very sad for him, and things just get worse when his family (even his ex-father-in-law) thrusts him into marriage with Hind, his cousin. Hind was not my cup of tea at all. She was very self-seeking and only cared for the benefits of marrying Abdulla (ie. getting to study abroad). She was quite thoughtless, but I guess this can account for her youth. Though she was not my favorite character, I can understand that she wanted a taste of freedom. Rajakumar really developed her characters well. With the main characters experiencing such crushing internal conflict, it heightened my interest level, and eventually I was left stunned with their decisions. You will too.

As for her writing style, I was quite impressed. Her didactic tone was necessary in such an exotic read. She taught me a lot about the culture of Qataris. However, sometimes I felt overwhelmed with all the Western references. Though I understand that Western culture is embedded in the family, I really did not need to be reminded that Abdulla had a Blackberry every time he used it. Rajakumar also was meticulous with her dialogue. Each character spoke a certain way, which made it easier to identify them - even without my handy character reference guide. I notice that a lot of authors tend to lose the personality of their characters, especially when there are a lot to count. Rajakumar did not do that one bit.

Love Comes Later is a read that not only portrays Qatar, but one that also fortifies that romance can supersede the pangs of prejudice and the frowns of grief.(less)

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Jul 28, 2012 Michelle Cornwell-Jordan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love Comes Later is the story of love, loss, culture, duty and family; the main character Abdulla is a product of his environment where the major components of his life, such as the decisions regarding marriage and children are being taken away from him, and becoming the agenda of the Elders and his community. But after the tragic loss of his wife and unborn child, Abdulla does not wish to follow the dictates of those clamoring around him. He initially no longer wants to remarry, to no longer be...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Gale Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

What an unusual setting for a romance, especially for Westerners who want to experience a slice of love and marriage in the Arab or South Asian culture. If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in a Qatari compound, or hang around a London flat shared by two women from exotic lands whose native cultures subordinate women to men in their societies, then this is the novel for you.

Though it was hardly the novel's central purpose, Love Comes Later does illustrate that respectable women's profes...more

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Oct 13, 2012 D. Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review, and a review for Rajakumar's From Dunes to Dior, can also be found at Overflowing Bookshelves

I’ve always been fascinated with other countries and cultures. Usually that gets reflected in my reading historical fiction. I get to explore a time and era that is so vastly different than my own. I must say that I don’t usually read contemporary novels set in different places, choosing to stick to my aforementioned historical fiction or works from author such as Jodi Picoult that have a se...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Naomi Leadbeater rated it 4 of 5 stars

We all know, and I keep saying it: I don't like romance novels. I sure read a lot of them though...feel free to wonder why.

I do.

This is not just a romance novel.

Gotta say, I love the cover :)

Perhaps, this says something about what I view as a romance novel.

Good books can have romance in them, but they're not solely driven by love between two people.

Unless, they are an exploration of love, and what it means. Which for me, turns a romance into a bit of philosophy.

I enjoy philosophy. I enjoy book...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Rekha Seshadri rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Asian Characters - romance and realistic fiction lovers

Recommended to Rekha by: I have the habit of checking out books by Indian/Asian/African/Latino Authors on Amazon - So few

Shelves: self-pub-indie-author, owned-books-purchased, amazon-top100-free-promotion

I give this a 4 rating.
A contemporary romance with elements of realistic fiction. The story has a strong Qatari flavour blended with South Asian and offers a tantalising view of student life in London as a bonus.
A refreshing tale of love and friendship that overcomes cultural, religious and racial barriers. It starts out in the plush interiors of an affluent family in oil money endowed Qatar, seeking the remarriage of a widowed, still grieving son Abdulla who wants anything but that. The cultu...more I give this a 4 rating.
A contemporary romance with elements of realistic fiction. The story has a strong Qatari flavour blended with South Asian and offers a tantalising view of student life in London as a bonus.
A refreshing tale of love and friendship that overcomes cultural, religious and racial barriers. It starts out in the plush interiors of an affluent family in oil money endowed Qatar, seeking the remarriage of a widowed, still grieving son Abdulla who wants anything but that. The culture is primarily seen from the eyes of Abdulla and Hind, and later on through Sangita - Hind's Indian American room-mate and friend. It's their reluctance to follow traditions, and Hind's impulsive demonstration of independence and adventure that sets off Abdulla's and Sangita's worlds into a collision course of first, tentative friendship and later on love.

The characters and the situations have been created skilfully and their interaction comes off as real as possible. The author has tried hard to give an accurate picture of Qatari life and attitudes, specially towards South Asians who form the blue collar workforce without sounding preachy or condescending.

Abdulla, a strong character, comes across as inflexible a couple of times but redeems himself as a modern, religious Muslim. I really enjoyed his opening up to the world around, specially to Sangita and his adopted sister Luluwa.
Hind - a tad selfish and Sangita are well etched, and I found myself amused when the Indian girl who advises her friend to play safe goes on her own adventure, risking everything.
The secondary characters of Luluwa and Hind's sister Noor, often two extremes were ones I found interesting. While I loved Sangita's brother - idealistic but lovable character Ravi, it was Grandfather Jassim and Hind's father - uncle Saod who were a revelation in sharp contrast to the other elders in the family.

Now for the nit picking -
In my opinion, Abdulla and Sangita's romance did not have the time to develop enough for her to burn all the bridges...it kind of ends up as an arranged marriage. But, then, they didn't fall in love at first sight and the author, to my delight, refrained from gushing descriptions of the protagonists beauty. A plus.
The Indians in the book, Sangita's parents came close to being caricatures.

The timeline was a bit confusing in some places. A couple of dialogues were responses to an original action or comment that had been edited out. A revision if possible would enhance the book.

All in all, it was a pleasurable read and one of few romances I have truly enjoyed reading lately.
The book is well written, flows smoothly and the use of Arabic words in the story and the endnotes are a nice addition.

I recommend this book to romance lovers, to those who enjoy realistic fiction set in the Asian and Arab world with ethnic characters, to generally anyone looking for a good book to immerse in.

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Aug 16, 2012 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fiction

"Everybody wants to talk about love but nobody believes in it," Abdulla says.

Though it took me some time to get the characters straight and become familiar with the traditional Arab greetings and characterizations, I found this book to be a delightful read.

The characters are well defined and the plot line, the common one of love, develops easily throughout the story. And it quickly develops as Hind and Sangita must face the truth about what each wants and the consequences of acting upon their...more

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Oct 19, 2012 A.E. Curzon rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a story which illustrates the varied cultural beliefs of the Muslim faith. I, as someone from a different faith, found it extremely interesting and informative. Beautifully described, with the seriousness of arranged marriages and family duty continuously rising to the surface, the book takes the reader on a romantic journey from Qatar to London and back to Qatar. The essence of the book is the relationship which develops between two young people from different cultures, Abdulla – an Ara...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Emlyn Chand added it

Sometimes love crashes into you like a torrent, and sometimes it sneaks up and envelops you from behind. There are as many forms of love as there are human relationships, and Love Comes Later illustrates this beautifully. This novel introduces us to Abdulla, a man who is still recovering from the untimely death of his former wife and unborn child, as a second marriage is arranged between him and his cousin Hind. Hind is a thoroughly modern girl who does not appreciate the prospect of being anyon...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-review-tour, literary, romance

Love Comes Later takes an in depth look at the process of marriage in South Asian cultures, specifically Qatar. For someone born and raised in a North American culture this was an interesting step away from all that I knew and was familiar with regarding marriage, engagement, and love. Obviously I am aware of arranged marriages and that they do still exist in certain cultures but Qatar has a much different process than I had ever encountered.

The three main characters Abdulla, Hind, and Sangita...more

Love Comes Later takes an in depth look at the process of marriage in South Asian cultures, specifically Qatar. For someone born and raised in a North American culture this was an interesting step away from all that I knew and was familiar with regarding marriage, engagement, and love. Obviously I am aware of arranged marriages and that they do still exist in certain cultures but Qatar has a much different process than I had ever encountered.

The three main characters Abdulla, Hind, and Sangita have all been raised knowing there are certain expectations to be met regarding marriage. Abdulla has an arranged marriage to Fatima but when she tragically dies in an accident he is once again expected to get married and provide grandchildren (preferably sons since sons are the only ones who are given Qatari citizenship). Abdulla puts off the family for as long as he can but is eventually contracted to marry his cousin Hind.

Hind understands her role but she chafes at the idea of marriage and having no freedom. She would like to marry for love. She would also like to travel and work abroad. While she agrees to the contract with Abdulla she sets a condition: she must be allowed to live in England and obtain an advanced degree before settling down into the marriage with him.

Sangita is Hind’s roommate in England. She was born in India but raised in America so while she has a similar background as Hind when it comes to cultural expectations regarding marriage she has been given a bit more leeway. Her parents still ultimately feel they should do the choosing for her husband while Sangita would like to have her own choice.

I found it interesting that in Qatar once a couple signs the contract they are in effect “married” without having a ceremony. The entire year Abdulla and Hind are separated they are in fact man and wife despite never consummating the marriage or spending more than a few moments together, none of it really alone.

While Hind is in England she meets Sangita’s brother Ravi and impulsively goes on a trip to India with him. This rebellious act, if discovered by her family could ruin her. A woman never travels without a proper chaperone. While Hind is gone, Abdulla shows up for an unexpected visit and Sangita must try to cover for her best friend. Due to circumstances, Sangita and Abdulla spend more time together and realize there is a romantic spark between them.

Sangita takes the biggest risk as she is potentially ruining her relationship with her best friend and perhaps risking losing everything. There is always the possibility that Abdulla won’t go through with marrying her, a foreigner and outsider. Or he might not get permission from the ministry that issues licenses to marry foreigners. Or, his family may never approve, ostracizing them both. I really liked the determination and strength of this character. She knew what she wanted and was willing to fight to get exactly what she desired.

Neither Abdulla nor Hind wish to be married to each other but neither vocalizes this desire. I didn’t have much respect for either character for the way they dealt with their respective families. While I understand it’s not always easy to buck tradition and forge your own path, especially in a much regimented male-dominated society such as Qatar I would have appreciated a bit more energy from them. Abdulla does eventually make his choice known and ends his marriage with Hind. Even though Hind is getting exactly what she wants (freedom from her marriage) she still reverts to a spurned woman mentality and behaves as if this is not what she wishes.

All three are linked by the cultural expectations forced upon them and all three wish in some way to rebel against this expectation. In the end all they want is happiness. Do they get it? I’ll let you read the story yourself to find out.

4 out of 5 stars(less)

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Aug 22, 2012 Eileen Granfors rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: families, friendship, highly-unusual, local-color, women, social-issues

"Love Comes Later" by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar brings us quickly into a foreign world where duty to family is one of the strongest values. The main character is Abdulla, a man raised in an environment where the Elders of the community have the last say. Because Abdulla suffers both pain and shame, he first wants to break away from this restrictive culture. But as George Strait sang, love returns to his life "out of the clear, blue sky."

"Love Comes Later" is exceptionally well written with nuanced...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Lynn Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Muslim heritage, living in Qatar, an arranged marriage.

3 years after his wife's death Abdulla is to be married again-not by his choice. His wife to be Hind is not thrilled with the prospect either.

Hind holds off the reception for a year to go to school in London giving Abdulla time to contemplate the marriage.

In London she makes a new friend Sangita, and meets her brother Ravi, both raised traditionally from the cultures of India. Hind flies off with Ravi without telling anyone but her roommate,...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Susan Buchanan rated it 4 of 5 stars

An interesting glimpse into life in Qatar and a wonderful love story,

I was given a review copy of the novel by the author and asked to provide an independent review.
Reading this on Kindle, for the first 20% of the book, I kind of liked it, but it wasn't holding my attention. But, wow, as soon as I got to 20%, I sprinted through this book and could not put it down. I've never been to Qatar, the nearest I managed was Bahrain, but I love reading and learning about other cultures. There were plenty...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Terri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imagine your whole life being determined by the elders in your family. While many young adults feel like this is always the case, they may not be part of a cultural and religious society that demands this determination as social norms. In Love Comes Later by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, the idea of arranged marriages and the struggle against modern culture is explored. Abdulla, a young Qatari man who has already experienced one arranged marriage, is struggling against the loss of his wife, Fatima a...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Cee Martinez rated it 4 of 5 stars

An arranged marriage between Qatari cousins may not go on as planned when matters of heartache and rebellion come crashing into their mannered, conservative world. Abdulla--a widower still in mourning, is pressured by his family to marry his cousin, Hind, a young university student who has dreams far beyond what is acceptable for a Qatari woman of her rank and standing. Hind wins a stay to her "execution" by agreeing to marry Abdulla if she can at least finish her education in England. So, to En...more An arranged marriage between Qatari cousins may not go on as planned when matters of heartache and rebellion come crashing into their mannered, conservative world. Abdulla--a widower still in mourning, is pressured by his family to marry his cousin, Hind, a young university student who has dreams far beyond what is acceptable for a Qatari woman of her rank and standing. Hind wins a stay to her "execution" by agreeing to marry Abdulla if she can at least finish her education in England. So, to England Hind goes, and in doing so she meets a young American of Indian descent, Sangita--a young women destined to change their lives forever.

The bare bones of this story are simple, and found in many a romance, the arranged marriage, the conflicted feelings, the budding love triangle. With that in mind, an author tackling the subject needs to be mindful to create a lively tale with characters one can root for.

Abdulla, could easily have been written as a villain, or as someone so dishwater dull he just asks to be flung over for another hunk. His story is written with grace, however, and he is portrayed as a decent, tenderhearted man still mourning the tragic death of his wife. Hind comes across initially as a snooty, prickly young princess, which in essence she is, but it is easy to sympathize with her fear of an eternity spent married to and breeding with a man she does not love with no option for a job or life of her own. A cage is still a cage, even if it is a golden one. When she meets Sangita, the two young women from seemingly different backgrounds, soon find the similarities in their conservative upbringing and hit if off quite well. Hind is constantly appalled or bemused by Sangita's brash American ways and Sangita has a curious fascination with Hind's privileged world.

The backdrop of large, controlling, conservative worlds is thoroughly covered here, with an authentic, and refreshingly balanced view of life as a Muslim. Sangita becomes the "cabbage head" as Hind is constantly reminding her that being Muslim does not exactly mean all the stereotypes a typical American would think. Still, the thrill of a young woman tasting freedom from her stifled, controlling family is tempered with the ever present cloud of being caught and destroying family honor. It's a theme that rang very close to me, and I think will resonate with anyone born into a tightly knit household, regardless of their religion. In fact, it goes a long way into showing just how similar the problems are for daughters born into these families.

There is no real condemnation however, of the conservative life. Rules are stretched but not snapped, and it falls upon the characters to find solutions to their own problems and hearts without shattering the walls around them. They become sneaky, resourceful, and discover their hidden strengths and weaknesses. As their lives become ever more entangled, I began to feel real worry for all three of them, as I realized I just wanted everyone to be okay!

All in all, I found this novel to be a satisfying, involving romance. It was not a lightweight tale by any means. Anyone up for a smart, classy read is in for a treat.
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Sep 11, 2012 Darlene Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

Insights into a world we know little about. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the love story. I thought the author did a great job of showing us how culture shapes people and how some can and do break out of the roles expected of them. The book is beautifully written, but does have some minor errors that distract and some abrupt shifts that jolt. Despite these, I have to say I loved the book and I'm glad I read it. I will look for more works by Rajakumar and do recommend this book to other reade...more

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Oct 14, 2012 JB rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating book which tells of a love story complicated by culture, religion and family comittment. Abdulla and Hind are at the centre of the story as a couple brought together by their families to be married. Its something neither of the pair want and both find ways, unbeknownst to the other, to get out of this arrangment. Life takes an unusual turn for both when Hind goes to England to study for a year and befriends an intriguing Indian / American girl who changes the course of their lives.

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Jan 08, 2013 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

this book was fascinating to me with the details of the culture but not too many to go overboard. some things I still couldn't image because they were so foreign to me so I googled them. I love a book that makes me want to learn more. however, after 70% of the book had been read it dropped the "f" word. I was very disappointed. I really did enjoy it except for that, so I would not feel comfortable recommending.

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Aug 07, 2012 Falguni Kothari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wonderfully written book that brings to life the Qatari culture. I particularly liked the way Rajakumar has drawn out the hero, Abdulla, who I thought was frail and hearty, strong and emotional and chauvinistically liberal. A truly eye-opening depiction of the prejudices that we blindly believe in without even trying to find that one exception that breaks the rule.

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Jul 24, 2012 Elizabeth Amisu rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Love Comes Later' is one of those beautiful reads that springs itself on an unsuspecting reader unawares, with its incredible poignancy and depth of feeling and character. It stands alongside works by writers like Jhumpa Lahiri. The narrative sends the reader on an emotional rollercoaster that doesn't let up throughout the novel. A real find! Am definitely going to start reading through the Rajakumar back-catalogue, because her work is of an incredibly high calibre. I would recommend this novel...more

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