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The Marriage Bureau for Rich People #1
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People
Alexander McCall Smith meets Jane Austen in this delightfully charming Indian novel about finding love.
What does an Indian man with a wealth of common sense do when his retirement becomes too monotonous for him to stand? Open a marriage bureau of course!
With a steady stream of clients to keep him busy, Mr. Ali sees his new business flourish as the indomitable Mrs. Ali and his careful assistant, Aruna, look on with vigilant eyes. There's the man who wants a tall son-in-law because his daughter is short; the divorced woman who ends up back with her ex-husband; a salesman who can't seem to sell himself; and a wealthy, young doctor for whom no match is ever perfect. But although his clients go away happy, little does Mr. Ali know that his esteemed Aruna hides a tragedy in her past-a misfortune that the bureau, as luck would have it, serendipitously undoes.
Bursting with the color and allure of India, and with a cast of endearing characters, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People has shades of Jane Austen and Alexander McCall Smith but with a resonance and originality entirely its own. Farahad's effortless style reveals a country still grappling with the politics of caste, religion, and civil unrest, all the while delivering a shamefully delightful read.
What does an Indian man with a wealth of common sense do when his retirement becomes too monotonous for him to stand? Open a marriage bureau of course!
With a steady stream of clients to keep him busy, Mr. Ali sees his new business flourish as the indomitable Mrs. Ali and his careful assistant, Aruna, look on with vigilant eyes. There's the man who wants a tall son-in-law because his daughter is short; the divorced woman who ends up back with her ex-husband; a salesman who can't seem to sell himself; and a wealthy, young doctor for whom no match is ever perfect. But although his clients go away happy, little does Mr. Ali know that his esteemed Aruna hides a tragedy in her past-a misfortune that the bureau, as luck would have it, serendipitously undoes.
Bursting with the color and allure of India, and with a cast of endearing characters, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People has shades of Jane Austen and Alexander McCall Smith but with a resonance and originality entirely its own. Farahad's effortless style reveals a country still grappling with the politics of caste, religion, and civil unrest, all the while delivering a shamefully delightful read.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
94 people are currently reading
3236 people want to read
About the author
Farahad Zama
8 books118 followersFarahad Zama was born in Vizag on the Eastern coast of India in 1966. After obtaining a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Engineering at Kharagpur, near Kolkata, he moved to Mumbai to work for an investment bank. An arranged marriage to a Vizag girl soon followed. His career took him to New York, Zurich and Luxembourg and finally brought him to London for six months. Sixteen years later, Farahad is still in South London with his Vizag girl and two Croydon-born boys.
Farahad works in the City and writes on his commute and at weekends. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is his first novel. He is delighted with its success – it was a Richard & Judy and Daily Mail book of the month, short listed for Best New Writer of the Year at the British Book Awards, Best Published Fiction at the Muslim Writers Awards and Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy and Romance. The book is being translated into eight languages.
Zama's second and third novels, The Many Conditions of Love,and The Wedding Wallah, continues the story of Mr. Ali's "Marriage Bureau."
Farahad works in the City and writes on his commute and at weekends. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is his first novel. He is delighted with its success – it was a Richard & Judy and Daily Mail book of the month, short listed for Best New Writer of the Year at the British Book Awards, Best Published Fiction at the Muslim Writers Awards and Melissa Nathan Awards for Comedy and Romance. The book is being translated into eight languages.
Zama's second and third novels, The Many Conditions of Love,and The Wedding Wallah, continues the story of Mr. Ali's "Marriage Bureau."
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August 1, 2019
A delightful story about a retired man setting up his Marriage Bureau business in a large Indian city.
Morning in the peaceful garden
Mr Ali loved the garden he had created in the modest yard, about twenty feet wide and ten feet long. He rubbed his hands to warm them up – sure that the temperature was less than twenty degrees. On one side, a guava tree spread its branches over most of the area from the house to the front wall. Under it grew many curry-leaf plants, a henna plant and a jasmine climber. There were also several plants in pots, including a bonsai banyan tree that he had planted eleven years ago. A well on his left supplied their drinking water and next to it there was a papaya tree and a hibiscus plant – morning dew shimmered silvery-white on a perfectly symmetrical cobweb stretched between them. The low wall at the front continued round the house, separating his property from the road. He took a deep breath, taking in the fragrance of the jasmine flowers, and enjoyed the illusion of being in a small, green village even though his house was on a busy road in the middle of a bustling city.
And a sign will show the way
The doorbell rang soon after they finished their breakfast. Mr Ali went to the verandah and opened the gate. The painter grinned at him and waved towards a large, rectangular package wrapped in newspaper and lashed to a bicycle standing just outside the gate.
“All ready,” he said. “I’ll need your help to put it up.”
“OK,” agreed Mr Ali, going on to the street with the man.
They unwrapped the package and a sign painted on a galvanised sheet with a wooden frame behind it came to light. They carried it to the wall outside the house. Mr Ali held up the sign so it was square and the painter hammered long nails through the wood and fixed it.
Mr Ali turned and looked at the sign hanging on the wall of his house.
‘Ali’s Marriage Bureau for Rich People it proclaimed in big bold red letters on a blue background. Underneath, in smaller letters, it said: ‘Prop: Mr Hyder Ali, Govt Clerk (retired)’ and ‘Ph: 236678’.
With small beginnings - the newspaper advertisement
He was more than three-quarters of the way down the page before he found his own ad: “For widest choice among Hindu, Muslim, Christian Brides/Grooms, contact Ali’s Marriage Bureau for Rich People…”
. . .
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 these details and, as the weeks passed, his files steadily grew.
An expanding business
"I have an idea." said Azhar. "What you need is an assistant to help you and a business phone so your current one remains free for personal use."
. . .
It had been a couple of days since Azhar’s visit and her husband had just told her that he had sent an ad to the local newspaper.
Assistant wanted for successful marriage bureau. Smart, typist…
There were several responses. The first girl who came could not speak a word of English; the second could not work after three in the afternoon when her children came back from school; the third was a young man who was shocked that he would have to work on Sundays; the fourth was smart and suitable but did not want to work in a house. She wanted to work in a ‘proper’ office.
Mr Ali sighed and showed the eighth candidate out, saying, “I am sorry. We do not have air conditioning. Yes, it gets hot in summer.”
Mrs Ali laughed and said, “Why don’t you give up? You are just wasting money on these ads. They are useless. I will find an assistant for you.”
The personal touch
Mrs Ali did not go inside. She stayed outside, waiting. She had noticed a young woman in her early twenties who walked past the house every day, returning an hour later with rolled-up sheets of paper in her hand.
A few minutes later, the woman was walking past and Mrs Ali called out to her, “Hello! Do you have a moment?”
The girl looked around, appearing surprised at being addressed by a stranger.
“What’s your name?” asked Mrs Ali.
“Aruna,” the girl replied.
“Are you going to the typing institute?” asked Mrs Ali.
“Yes!” said Aruna, surprised. “How did you know?”
“I have seen you returning with rolled-up paper in your hand and I knew you must be learning to type. What’s your speed?” Mrs Ali asked. She had learnt typing as a teenager herself, but it was many years since she had sat in front of a typewriter.
“Fifty words per minute,” replied Aruna.
“That’s good.”
“Thanks.” She smiled shyly. “I have passed my lower and I am practising for my higher exam.”
“Would you like a job?” asked Mrs Ali.
“What job?” asked Aruna, looking suspicious.
She has every reason to be, thought Mrs Ali. It is not every day that jobs are offered to people walking along the road.
“We have a marriage bureau,” replied Mrs Ali pointing to the board. “We need an assistant. I think it would suit a girl like you who lives locally.”
Many people visit the Marriage Bureau looking for an ideal partner for their sons, daughters or themselves. The Ali family become counsellors and give advice in living as well as marriage.
In a society that favors arranged marriages over love marriages it is hard for love to find a way, but love blossoms in a most delightful fashion.
Enjoy!
Morning in the peaceful garden
Mr Ali loved the garden he had created in the modest yard, about twenty feet wide and ten feet long. He rubbed his hands to warm them up – sure that the temperature was less than twenty degrees. On one side, a guava tree spread its branches over most of the area from the house to the front wall. Under it grew many curry-leaf plants, a henna plant and a jasmine climber. There were also several plants in pots, including a bonsai banyan tree that he had planted eleven years ago. A well on his left supplied their drinking water and next to it there was a papaya tree and a hibiscus plant – morning dew shimmered silvery-white on a perfectly symmetrical cobweb stretched between them. The low wall at the front continued round the house, separating his property from the road. He took a deep breath, taking in the fragrance of the jasmine flowers, and enjoyed the illusion of being in a small, green village even though his house was on a busy road in the middle of a bustling city.
And a sign will show the way
The doorbell rang soon after they finished their breakfast. Mr Ali went to the verandah and opened the gate. The painter grinned at him and waved towards a large, rectangular package wrapped in newspaper and lashed to a bicycle standing just outside the gate.
“All ready,” he said. “I’ll need your help to put it up.”
“OK,” agreed Mr Ali, going on to the street with the man.
They unwrapped the package and a sign painted on a galvanised sheet with a wooden frame behind it came to light. They carried it to the wall outside the house. Mr Ali held up the sign so it was square and the painter hammered long nails through the wood and fixed it.
Mr Ali turned and looked at the sign hanging on the wall of his house.
‘Ali’s Marriage Bureau for Rich People it proclaimed in big bold red letters on a blue background. Underneath, in smaller letters, it said: ‘Prop: Mr Hyder Ali, Govt Clerk (retired)’ and ‘Ph: 236678’.
With small beginnings - the newspaper advertisement
He was more than three-quarters of the way down the page before he found his own ad: “For widest choice among Hindu, Muslim, Christian Brides/Grooms, contact Ali’s Marriage Bureau for Rich People…”
. . .
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 these details and, as the weeks passed, his files steadily grew.
An expanding business
"I have an idea." said Azhar. "What you need is an assistant to help you and a business phone so your current one remains free for personal use."
. . .
It had been a couple of days since Azhar’s visit and her husband had just told her that he had sent an ad to the local newspaper.
Assistant wanted for successful marriage bureau. Smart, typist…
There were several responses. The first girl who came could not speak a word of English; the second could not work after three in the afternoon when her children came back from school; the third was a young man who was shocked that he would have to work on Sundays; the fourth was smart and suitable but did not want to work in a house. She wanted to work in a ‘proper’ office.
Mr Ali sighed and showed the eighth candidate out, saying, “I am sorry. We do not have air conditioning. Yes, it gets hot in summer.”
Mrs Ali laughed and said, “Why don’t you give up? You are just wasting money on these ads. They are useless. I will find an assistant for you.”
The personal touch
Mrs Ali did not go inside. She stayed outside, waiting. She had noticed a young woman in her early twenties who walked past the house every day, returning an hour later with rolled-up sheets of paper in her hand.
A few minutes later, the woman was walking past and Mrs Ali called out to her, “Hello! Do you have a moment?”
The girl looked around, appearing surprised at being addressed by a stranger.
“What’s your name?” asked Mrs Ali.
“Aruna,” the girl replied.
“Are you going to the typing institute?” asked Mrs Ali.
“Yes!” said Aruna, surprised. “How did you know?”
“I have seen you returning with rolled-up paper in your hand and I knew you must be learning to type. What’s your speed?” Mrs Ali asked. She had learnt typing as a teenager herself, but it was many years since she had sat in front of a typewriter.
“Fifty words per minute,” replied Aruna.
“That’s good.”
“Thanks.” She smiled shyly. “I have passed my lower and I am practising for my higher exam.”
“Would you like a job?” asked Mrs Ali.
“What job?” asked Aruna, looking suspicious.
She has every reason to be, thought Mrs Ali. It is not every day that jobs are offered to people walking along the road.
“We have a marriage bureau,” replied Mrs Ali pointing to the board. “We need an assistant. I think it would suit a girl like you who lives locally.”
Many people visit the Marriage Bureau looking for an ideal partner for their sons, daughters or themselves. The Ali family become counsellors and give advice in living as well as marriage.
In a society that favors arranged marriages over love marriages it is hard for love to find a way, but love blossoms in a most delightful fashion.
Enjoy!
Read
September 27, 2024A discursive read about Mr Ali a retired guy who opens a marriage bureau in an unnamed Indian city, with minor plotlines about his semi estranged son and his assistant.
One one level it's a highly readable and pleasant story that focuses on the importance of love and family and mutual tolerance. Mr Ali is a Muslim running the bureau mostly for Hindus and there's no inter religious issues. There's a lot about reuniting divided families, as well as on solidarity, the pernicious effects of corruption, the importance of standing up for the poor and for women. It lacks a main driving plotline but the meandering sequence of events draws a vivid picture of the setting and characters. The writing is a bit naive, but in an enjoyably brightly coloured way.
On another level, I couldn't work out if Mr Ali is meant to be the world's hypocrite. He is full of wise marital advice but repeatedly bargains down desperately poor people for a couple of rupees, has a touching metaphor about how his lovely white cat had mongrel kittens because she didn't care for the 'perfect' mate and then casually says he dumped those kittens in a market. He tuts about the condemnation of divorced women and the effects of caste and demands for dowry, but nods happily along with colourism. The book presents all this without comment and I can't work out if it's the author's blind spots, Mr Ali's blind spots, or simply a magnificent exercise in letting the reader make up their own mind.
One one level it's a highly readable and pleasant story that focuses on the importance of love and family and mutual tolerance. Mr Ali is a Muslim running the bureau mostly for Hindus and there's no inter religious issues. There's a lot about reuniting divided families, as well as on solidarity, the pernicious effects of corruption, the importance of standing up for the poor and for women. It lacks a main driving plotline but the meandering sequence of events draws a vivid picture of the setting and characters. The writing is a bit naive, but in an enjoyably brightly coloured way.
On another level, I couldn't work out if Mr Ali is meant to be the world's hypocrite. He is full of wise marital advice but repeatedly bargains down desperately poor people for a couple of rupees, has a touching metaphor about how his lovely white cat had mongrel kittens because she didn't care for the 'perfect' mate and then casually says he dumped those kittens in a market. He tuts about the condemnation of divorced women and the effects of caste and demands for dowry, but nods happily along with colourism. The book presents all this without comment and I can't work out if it's the author's blind spots, Mr Ali's blind spots, or simply a magnificent exercise in letting the reader make up their own mind.
March 23, 2011
This book topped the list of ‘Page Turners to pick up in 2009’, published by Hindustan Times. The article said ‘Set in an Indian Marriage bureau and billed as Jane Austen meets McCall Smith, the book is charming, funny and acutely observed.’
Author: Farahad Zama
Publisher: Abacus
Price: 295/-
I grabbed the book as soon as it was out, did it meet the hype & my expectations?
Read on!
Mr. Ali, freshly retired doesn’t know what to do with his time. He has been interfering with his wife’s daily routine and needless to say irritating her as well. She heaves a sigh of relief when he decides to open a marriage bureau; A Marriage bureau for rich people to be precise. Slowly the business picks up & so does the need of an assistant and here comes in Aruna.
She comes from a family which is going through a strained financial condition. Her father doesn’t want to marry her off as she is the sole bread earner of the family. But then she can’t help falling in love with one of the clients (ah! Sounds so romantic). But can love conquer?? Or rather will Love Conquer???
Via fixing marriages the book talks about various social issues like,
- Inter-caste marriage
- Divorce & re-marriage
- Late Marriage
- Standing up for a social cause (with a Singrur kind of situation thrown in)
- The rich n poor divide
I loved the book for its simplicity. It has an old world charm to it. With the way Vizag or the summer afternoons have been described it will for sure take you down the nostalgic lane.
There is subtle humor lurking around but I wouldn’t call it a funny book for me it was an entertaining read. I also loved the way the author has worked around the relationships in the book, specially the father son conflict between Mr. Ali & his son Rehman. Towards the end of the book the author even goes into the details of a traditional Andhra Pradesh marriage and am sure people who can relate to the culture will love those portions.
The best part about the book is that it doesn’t have much of a conflict or I should say that even if there are conflicts that arise in the story then you can relate to them. The characters are sometimes too good to be true but then in present times when daughters are becoming an object of lust for their father such story comes as a relief. It may look like a make belief world but then it looks much better then the world we are living in.
The only problem that I have with the book is that it is trying to slot itself as some other book/ author. As have written in the opening lines it is being compared to “The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency.” The purpose behind this could be a very simple case of a marketing gimmick as this is a debut novel but then I felt that the product being offered is good enough to survive and that is why there was no need of this gimmick.
I wonder Why do we have to compare ourselves with some foreign author to grab eyeballs??? Indian authors as per me write well enough to survive in the big bad world.
I also felt that the Title was a bit out of place as the book is more than just a Marriage Bureau for rich people. For me it is a love story, a social message, a contemporary view of marriage fixing but as is said all's well if ends well and what matters here is that the book is a wonderful read.
If you are looking out for a simple, sweet, with its heart at right place & a well told story, then this book is the one for you.
Author: Farahad Zama
Publisher: Abacus
Price: 295/-
I grabbed the book as soon as it was out, did it meet the hype & my expectations?
Read on!
Mr. Ali, freshly retired doesn’t know what to do with his time. He has been interfering with his wife’s daily routine and needless to say irritating her as well. She heaves a sigh of relief when he decides to open a marriage bureau; A Marriage bureau for rich people to be precise. Slowly the business picks up & so does the need of an assistant and here comes in Aruna.
She comes from a family which is going through a strained financial condition. Her father doesn’t want to marry her off as she is the sole bread earner of the family. But then she can’t help falling in love with one of the clients (ah! Sounds so romantic). But can love conquer?? Or rather will Love Conquer???
Via fixing marriages the book talks about various social issues like,
- Inter-caste marriage
- Divorce & re-marriage
- Late Marriage
- Standing up for a social cause (with a Singrur kind of situation thrown in)
- The rich n poor divide
I loved the book for its simplicity. It has an old world charm to it. With the way Vizag or the summer afternoons have been described it will for sure take you down the nostalgic lane.
There is subtle humor lurking around but I wouldn’t call it a funny book for me it was an entertaining read. I also loved the way the author has worked around the relationships in the book, specially the father son conflict between Mr. Ali & his son Rehman. Towards the end of the book the author even goes into the details of a traditional Andhra Pradesh marriage and am sure people who can relate to the culture will love those portions.
The best part about the book is that it doesn’t have much of a conflict or I should say that even if there are conflicts that arise in the story then you can relate to them. The characters are sometimes too good to be true but then in present times when daughters are becoming an object of lust for their father such story comes as a relief. It may look like a make belief world but then it looks much better then the world we are living in.
The only problem that I have with the book is that it is trying to slot itself as some other book/ author. As have written in the opening lines it is being compared to “The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency.” The purpose behind this could be a very simple case of a marketing gimmick as this is a debut novel but then I felt that the product being offered is good enough to survive and that is why there was no need of this gimmick.
I wonder Why do we have to compare ourselves with some foreign author to grab eyeballs??? Indian authors as per me write well enough to survive in the big bad world.
I also felt that the Title was a bit out of place as the book is more than just a Marriage Bureau for rich people. For me it is a love story, a social message, a contemporary view of marriage fixing but as is said all's well if ends well and what matters here is that the book is a wonderful read.
If you are looking out for a simple, sweet, with its heart at right place & a well told story, then this book is the one for you.
March 5, 2017
A fast, light, relaxing read. A feel good story. Good for the equilibrium. Loved it.
February 9, 2010
The brighter than bright cover of The Marriage Bureau for Rich People caught my eye immediately. Look at it. It's lovely. You aren't going to stumble across colors like that in any ho-hum world. It was love at first sight and interest soon after as I read the description. It wasn't purchase at first sight though. My cash once again went to my local.
How wonderful when my instincts are right. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a delight with a conscience. Mr Ali has retired from the Indian civil service. He feels the need to keep doing something so he opens a marriage bureau on the veranda. Almost immediately his matchmaking company is a success despite the local Aunties. Good thing since this gets him out of the way of Mrs Ali and their activist son. The Bureau has a lively and touching clientele all with very specific needs. Into the business comes modest Aruna. From a poor but proud family Aruna longs to be a bride but knows that without family money that won't ever happen. Ta-Da! Enter a sort of Doctor Darcy and the happy endings spring forth.
Marriage Bureau is a warmhearted and winsome novel. There is a helping of Jane Austen in the humor and social assessments and Alexander McCall Smith in Zama's light touch in showing us the grim realities of political corruption, the caste system and poverty that the average Indian is up against without losing the cozy community feeling of the novel. Mr Ali's love connection business also reminded me of one of my all time, extra favorite novels, (Also set in India.) A Suitable Boy. For me, not living in India, Marriage Bureau also has a built in exotic element in the setting and a mysterious quality in the customs. Zama has written a bewitching take you away from your troubles book.
How wonderful when my instincts are right. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a delight with a conscience. Mr Ali has retired from the Indian civil service. He feels the need to keep doing something so he opens a marriage bureau on the veranda. Almost immediately his matchmaking company is a success despite the local Aunties. Good thing since this gets him out of the way of Mrs Ali and their activist son. The Bureau has a lively and touching clientele all with very specific needs. Into the business comes modest Aruna. From a poor but proud family Aruna longs to be a bride but knows that without family money that won't ever happen. Ta-Da! Enter a sort of Doctor Darcy and the happy endings spring forth.
Marriage Bureau is a warmhearted and winsome novel. There is a helping of Jane Austen in the humor and social assessments and Alexander McCall Smith in Zama's light touch in showing us the grim realities of political corruption, the caste system and poverty that the average Indian is up against without losing the cozy community feeling of the novel. Mr Ali's love connection business also reminded me of one of my all time, extra favorite novels, (Also set in India.) A Suitable Boy. For me, not living in India, Marriage Bureau also has a built in exotic element in the setting and a mysterious quality in the customs. Zama has written a bewitching take you away from your troubles book.
October 8, 2010
Ceritanya ringan dan datar, tapi cukup menarik. Kasta di India menurut saya seperti ibarat agama bila di Indonesia, bayangkan saja, untuk menikah kebanyakan dari mereka memilih jodoh dari kasta yang sama, sama seperti di negara kita, jika kita menikah bukankah kita juga menginginkan orang yang seiman. Hanya saja bedanya, agama bisa berpindah-pindah sesuai kehendak masing-masing orang, sedangkan kasta tidak bisa karena kasta diperoleh dari keturunan. Hah!!, betapa repotnya.
Bicara soal biro jodoh Mr. Ali, saya jadi ingin mendaftarkan diri.
Aku: “Namaste” *menangkupkan kedua tangan*
Mr. Ali: “Namaste, mari silahkan masuk. Ada yang bisa saya bantu?”
Aku: “Apakah ini biro jodoh Mr. Ali yang terkenal itu, saya ingin minta bantuan beliau untuk mencarikan saya jodoh” *sambil malu-malu*
Mr. Ali: “Oh, benar anakku, Saya Mr. Ali, kamu datang ketempat yang tepat”.
Mr. Ali: “Ayo, duduklah, sekarang isilah form ini”
Aku: *sibuk mengisi form dengan melompati kolom-kolom yang tidak dimengerti*
Mr. Ali: “Baiklah, biaya pendaftaran 500 rupe”
Aku: “500 rupe?, kira-kira berapa rupiah?”
Mr. Ali: “mmm, kira-kira sekitar 110.000 rupiah”
Aku: “ Baiklah”. “Kalau boleh, saya ingin Sir menjodohkan saya dengan salah satu orang dalam foto ini” *menyerahkan beberapa foto (Wentworth Miller, Jang Geun Suk, Lee Min Ho, Nicholas Saputra, Hideaki Takizawa) *
Mr. Ali: “baiklah, saya lihat dulu”
Mr. Ali: *berpikir*
Mr. Ali: *merenung*
Mr. Ali: ……………
Mr. Ali: “Maaf anakku, sepertinya saya tidak punya koneksi ke mancanegara, permintaan anda terlalu tinggi”. “Kalaupun saya bisa menghubungi mereka, belum tentu mereka mau”
Aku: *mayun*
*dipletak*
*siang-siang ngimpi*
jodoh... kau dimana?? aku merindumu.
Bicara soal biro jodoh Mr. Ali, saya jadi ingin mendaftarkan diri.
Aku: “Namaste” *menangkupkan kedua tangan*
Mr. Ali: “Namaste, mari silahkan masuk. Ada yang bisa saya bantu?”
Aku: “Apakah ini biro jodoh Mr. Ali yang terkenal itu, saya ingin minta bantuan beliau untuk mencarikan saya jodoh” *sambil malu-malu*
Mr. Ali: “Oh, benar anakku, Saya Mr. Ali, kamu datang ketempat yang tepat”.
Mr. Ali: “Ayo, duduklah, sekarang isilah form ini”
Aku: *sibuk mengisi form dengan melompati kolom-kolom yang tidak dimengerti*
Mr. Ali: “Baiklah, biaya pendaftaran 500 rupe”
Aku: “500 rupe?, kira-kira berapa rupiah?”
Mr. Ali: “mmm, kira-kira sekitar 110.000 rupiah”
Aku: “ Baiklah”. “Kalau boleh, saya ingin Sir menjodohkan saya dengan salah satu orang dalam foto ini” *menyerahkan beberapa foto (Wentworth Miller, Jang Geun Suk, Lee Min Ho, Nicholas Saputra, Hideaki Takizawa) *
Mr. Ali: “baiklah, saya lihat dulu”
Mr. Ali: *berpikir*
Mr. Ali: *merenung*
Mr. Ali: ……………
Mr. Ali: “Maaf anakku, sepertinya saya tidak punya koneksi ke mancanegara, permintaan anda terlalu tinggi”. “Kalaupun saya bisa menghubungi mereka, belum tentu mereka mau”
Aku: *mayun*
*dipletak*
*siang-siang ngimpi*
jodoh... kau dimana?? aku merindumu.
April 21, 2021
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People was fun, light, and engrossing. The characters were well developed, so that the light-weight, somewhat predictable plot was a joy to see unfold.
The unusual and most delightful thing about the book was being immersed in the Indian culture. The author really brought it to life and wove teaching into the plot in a way that seemed like a part of the story. The interaction between the three major religions of the area really added to the overall personality of the community depicted. I could not get enough of moving through India with these very real and human characters.
I listened to the audio version, and the narrator was perfect. I recommend this book if you are looking for a positive outlook on life and the feeling of having traveled and experienced another place.
The unusual and most delightful thing about the book was being immersed in the Indian culture. The author really brought it to life and wove teaching into the plot in a way that seemed like a part of the story. The interaction between the three major religions of the area really added to the overall personality of the community depicted. I could not get enough of moving through India with these very real and human characters.
I listened to the audio version, and the narrator was perfect. I recommend this book if you are looking for a positive outlook on life and the feeling of having traveled and experienced another place.
February 15, 2010
Buku ke-8993
Pertama, covernya cantik. meski warnanya (merah hati tua) kurang pas, seharusnya lebih cerah, tapi gambar dan lay out hurufnya ciamik banget. bahkan, jika dibandingkan dengan cover dr buku luar, kayaknya yg edisi terjemahan lebih maknyus.1 bintang
kedua, judulnya juga menarik. "Biro Jodoh Khusus Kaum Elite". Ternyata kesulitan mencari cinta tak hanya dialami orang miskin, orang kaya yang mestinya tidak mengalami kesulitan mencari cinta (baca: pasangan). kata siapa uang bisa membeli segalanya? kalau kata Beatles, Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied. Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy. I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
Tema ceritanya juga menarik, meski bukan hal yang baru, namun gaya penceritaannya yang ringan dan campuran sempurna antara kisah komikal yang kocak dicampur drama tragedi dan ditambah pesan moral yang kuat akan membuat pembaca bakal tetap terpikat dengan buku ini. Karena bulan ini adalah bulan cinta, hehe, jadi momennya pas. Buku ini sangat enak dibaca. saia menyelesaikan baca buku ini hanya beberapa jam.
Kisah dibuku ini dibuka dengan seorang pensiunan yang bernama Mr. Ali beserta istrinya Mrs. Ali, yang karena terbiasa bekerja sebelum pensiun, mencari kesibukan dengan membuka usaha yang "santai, berbeda, namun menghasilkan uang banyak". maka dibukalah usaha biro jodoh. tapi khusus untuk orang kaya. dan dibagian inilah kita akan banyak bersyukur karena tak dilahirkan di India. serius, di India, sistem perjodohan sangat rumit bahkan merepotkan. jangankan untuk rang miskin, orang kaya saja kerepotan (yang dimanfaatkan secara cerdik oleh Mr. Ali sebagai peluang usaha).
Bayangkan, India adalah negri yang secara tradisional memegang adat yang unik dan ketat. Sistem kasta di sana, bahkan hingga sekarang, sangatlah kentara. Bahkan, seandainya Anda seorang jutawan sekalipun, namun kasta Anda bukan brahmana atau kesatria, jangan harap jodoh akan datang semudah membalikan telapak tangan. Jika Anda memaksakan diri menikahi orang yang kastanya lebih rendah, secara sosial Anda telah melakukan sebuah aib, yang tak hanya menimpa Anda sendiri, tapi keluarga, bahkan keturunan Anda. Sekali lagi, uang tak bisa membeli segalanya, dalam hal ini kasta. bagaimana jika berbeda agama? kutukannya akan berlipat ganda.
selain itu, sistem pernikahan India cukup rumit, selain adat-istiadat yang cenderung kaku, juga unik. disana perempuan lah yang harus memberikan mas kawin. Selain memberikan mas kawin, perempuan juga harus tunduk total dalam kehendak suami (sebenarnya keluarga suami), karena sang istri diwajibkan tinggal di keluarga suami. Bayangkan jika si calon suami berasal dari kasta yang tinggi. dia akan "jual mahal" yang bahkan calon perempuan kaya pun tak sanggup membelinya. dan kalau sudah menikah, kebetulan keluarga suaminya tak baik, alamat celaka. Setelah jatuh, tertimpa tangga pula. Minta cerai? jangan harap. aib bagi perempuan. Jika penyebab seseorang menjanda adalah karena suami meninggal, maka perempuan yang dianggap membawa sial. jika karena suami menyeleweng, maka dianggap si Istri yang memiliki cacat dan tak memuaskan suami.
Begitu rumitnya sehingga, bahkan orang kaya pun, menjadi pilih-pilih dalam menentukan jodoh. dalam hal ini, cinta bisa menjadi nomer sekian. kata siapa cinta adalah segalanya?
Intrik-intrik orang-orang kaya yang begitu selektif dalam mencari jodoh inilah yang disajikan oleh si penulis buku ini. Gaya penceritaannya sangat ringan. Anda tak perlu banyak berpikir. Namun, ada satu lagi kelebihan buku ini. Buku ini tak melulu membahas cinta.
Ada banyak pesan moral yang dengan apik, diselipkan disana-sini. Sebagaimana diceritakan di atas, si penulis berusaha menggugat sistem kasta yang diskriminatif. Jika orang kaya saja begitu kerepotan, bagaimana dengan orang miskin? untuk melakukan sindiran ini, si penulis memperkenalkan seorang tokoh yang bernama Aruna, sekretaris Mr. Ali. dia berasal dari kasta tinggi namun secara ekonomi sangat memprihatinkan (bayangkan rumahnya hanya terdiri dari satu dapur, kamar mandi dan satu "ruangan multimedia", kamar merangkap ruang keluarga merangkap ruang tamu. Dengan halus, penulis menggambarkan ketidakberdayaan si miskin dalam mencoba mengadu nasib.
ada juga kisah-kisah betapa tersiksanya si miskin karena lebarnya jurang ekonomi. India, meski sekarang ekonominya sangat pesat, tapi tak merata. Ada orang yang sangat super kaya--liat ajah di daftar 100 orang terkaya, orang2 India banyak yang berada di urutan atas--namun juga ada kaum miskin yang cerita kemiskinannya bisa membuat hati Anda teriris-iris, tak perlu jauh-jauh, tonton saja film Slumdog Millionaire yang kesohor itu.
Selain itu, Mr. Ali, yang mendirikan biro jodoh, memiliki anak lelaki yang... belum berjodoh, lebih sibuk mementingkan perjuangan dengan demonstrasi membela kaum miskin. Ini jelas dilema bagi Mr. Ali. bagaimana bisa dia menemukan jodoh dan mebahagiakan keuarga orang lain tetapi keluarganya sendiri terpecah?
Selain itu, kejadian sehari-hari yang dialami Mr. Ali, banyak terselipi pesan moral, misalnya ttg toleransi antar umat beragama. Jangan kuatir, banyaknya pesan moral ini tak akan membuat kening berkerut.
Untuk kisah cinta dan pesan moralnya, 2 bintang
ketiga, terjemahannya sangat mulus, 1 bintang
keempat. editing. terjemahannya nyaris sempurna. namun tak dibarengin editing yang memuaskan, setidaknya menurut saia. Misalnya, dikisahkan bahwa Mr. Ali memetik dan memakan buah guava. lha... kenapa gak diterjemahkan sebagai jambu biji ajah? kan lebih populer jambu biji daripada guava. Lagian, kata ini menimbulkan nuansa aneh. membayangkan orang yang memakan buah guava seperti membayangkan alien dari planet Makaru memakan kue boguria yang ternyata sejenis getuk [image error]. Ada juga nama-nama aneh lainnya yang sebaiknya diterjemahkan saja. misalnya, kebun Mr. Ali banyak terdapat tanaman yang bernama curry leaf (bukannya lebih populer kata tumbuhan "salam koja"-buat bumbu kari) dan henna (yang jelas merupakan tanaman pacar cina buat mewarnai kuku). rasanya aneh ajah jika nama tanaman yang sebenarnya familiar, tapi tetap dipertahankan dengan nama asingnya. kalaupun iya, sebaiknya diberi catatan kaki, yang sayangnya tidak ada.
Yang cukup mengganggu lagi adalah minim keterangan. Penulis menceritakan bahwa kisahnya terjadi di kota kecil yang bernama "Vizag", namun tak diterangkan dimana letak kota itu. Kalau kisahnya bersetting Mumbay, Delhi atau Kalkuta, mungkin kita tak perlu diterangkan kondisi geografisnya. Tapi "Vizag", letaknya dimana bagian India? (FYI, luas India jauh lebih luas drpd Indonesia). Soalnya, kondisi sosial buadaya sebagaimana yang tergambarkan di buku ini membuat "Vizag" sangat menarik. Kota kecil dengan jurang ekonomi yang besar (banyak orang kaya yg mencari jodoh namun tetangga2 Mr Ali miskinnya luar biasa), mayoritas beragama Hindu tapi banyak yang beragama Islam (keluarga Mr. Ali salah satunya). Bahasa yang digunakan adalah bahasa "Telugu". Dang! saia bener2 nyerah dg nama bahasa ini. Ok, selama ini kita mengenal India memiliki bahasa "Urdu", "Bengali", "Tamil", "Malayalam" tapi "Telugu"? saia belum pernah denger :P
Tebakan saia, kota "Vizag" mestilah merupakan kota pesisir yang letaknya cukup dekat dg Bangladeh di Timur India atau dekat Pakistan di Barat India (agar cukup banyak warga muslimnya dengan kemajuan ekonomi yang timpang). Hasil googling menunjukan bahwa kota ini terletak di negara bagian "Andhra Pradesh" yang secara sosial memang unik, memiliki bahasa tradisional "Telugu" dengan kemajuan ekonomi yang pesat. keterangan ini tak terdapat di buku. dan banyak hal lainnya. karena itu nilainya -1 bintang
tenang saja, di luar istilah2 ini sangat sedikit yang perlu editing lagi, alias bukunya udah sangat ok. Kalo Anda membaca buku ini tanpa berpikir jauh, keliatan kok bagusnya bahasa buku ini, hehe... ini mah saia ajah yg bawel [image error]
jadi total bintangnya 1+1+2 - 1 = 3 bintang
saatnya nyanyi Beatles :D
Pertama, covernya cantik. meski warnanya (merah hati tua) kurang pas, seharusnya lebih cerah, tapi gambar dan lay out hurufnya ciamik banget. bahkan, jika dibandingkan dengan cover dr buku luar, kayaknya yg edisi terjemahan lebih maknyus.1 bintang
kedua, judulnya juga menarik. "Biro Jodoh Khusus Kaum Elite". Ternyata kesulitan mencari cinta tak hanya dialami orang miskin, orang kaya yang mestinya tidak mengalami kesulitan mencari cinta (baca: pasangan). kata siapa uang bisa membeli segalanya? kalau kata Beatles, Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied. Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy. I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
Tema ceritanya juga menarik, meski bukan hal yang baru, namun gaya penceritaannya yang ringan dan campuran sempurna antara kisah komikal yang kocak dicampur drama tragedi dan ditambah pesan moral yang kuat akan membuat pembaca bakal tetap terpikat dengan buku ini. Karena bulan ini adalah bulan cinta, hehe, jadi momennya pas. Buku ini sangat enak dibaca. saia menyelesaikan baca buku ini hanya beberapa jam.
Kisah dibuku ini dibuka dengan seorang pensiunan yang bernama Mr. Ali beserta istrinya Mrs. Ali, yang karena terbiasa bekerja sebelum pensiun, mencari kesibukan dengan membuka usaha yang "santai, berbeda, namun menghasilkan uang banyak". maka dibukalah usaha biro jodoh. tapi khusus untuk orang kaya. dan dibagian inilah kita akan banyak bersyukur karena tak dilahirkan di India. serius, di India, sistem perjodohan sangat rumit bahkan merepotkan. jangankan untuk rang miskin, orang kaya saja kerepotan (yang dimanfaatkan secara cerdik oleh Mr. Ali sebagai peluang usaha).
Bayangkan, India adalah negri yang secara tradisional memegang adat yang unik dan ketat. Sistem kasta di sana, bahkan hingga sekarang, sangatlah kentara. Bahkan, seandainya Anda seorang jutawan sekalipun, namun kasta Anda bukan brahmana atau kesatria, jangan harap jodoh akan datang semudah membalikan telapak tangan. Jika Anda memaksakan diri menikahi orang yang kastanya lebih rendah, secara sosial Anda telah melakukan sebuah aib, yang tak hanya menimpa Anda sendiri, tapi keluarga, bahkan keturunan Anda. Sekali lagi, uang tak bisa membeli segalanya, dalam hal ini kasta. bagaimana jika berbeda agama? kutukannya akan berlipat ganda.
selain itu, sistem pernikahan India cukup rumit, selain adat-istiadat yang cenderung kaku, juga unik. disana perempuan lah yang harus memberikan mas kawin. Selain memberikan mas kawin, perempuan juga harus tunduk total dalam kehendak suami (sebenarnya keluarga suami), karena sang istri diwajibkan tinggal di keluarga suami. Bayangkan jika si calon suami berasal dari kasta yang tinggi. dia akan "jual mahal" yang bahkan calon perempuan kaya pun tak sanggup membelinya. dan kalau sudah menikah, kebetulan keluarga suaminya tak baik, alamat celaka. Setelah jatuh, tertimpa tangga pula. Minta cerai? jangan harap. aib bagi perempuan. Jika penyebab seseorang menjanda adalah karena suami meninggal, maka perempuan yang dianggap membawa sial. jika karena suami menyeleweng, maka dianggap si Istri yang memiliki cacat dan tak memuaskan suami.
Begitu rumitnya sehingga, bahkan orang kaya pun, menjadi pilih-pilih dalam menentukan jodoh. dalam hal ini, cinta bisa menjadi nomer sekian. kata siapa cinta adalah segalanya?
Intrik-intrik orang-orang kaya yang begitu selektif dalam mencari jodoh inilah yang disajikan oleh si penulis buku ini. Gaya penceritaannya sangat ringan. Anda tak perlu banyak berpikir. Namun, ada satu lagi kelebihan buku ini. Buku ini tak melulu membahas cinta.
Ada banyak pesan moral yang dengan apik, diselipkan disana-sini. Sebagaimana diceritakan di atas, si penulis berusaha menggugat sistem kasta yang diskriminatif. Jika orang kaya saja begitu kerepotan, bagaimana dengan orang miskin? untuk melakukan sindiran ini, si penulis memperkenalkan seorang tokoh yang bernama Aruna, sekretaris Mr. Ali. dia berasal dari kasta tinggi namun secara ekonomi sangat memprihatinkan (bayangkan rumahnya hanya terdiri dari satu dapur, kamar mandi dan satu "ruangan multimedia", kamar merangkap ruang keluarga merangkap ruang tamu. Dengan halus, penulis menggambarkan ketidakberdayaan si miskin dalam mencoba mengadu nasib.
ada juga kisah-kisah betapa tersiksanya si miskin karena lebarnya jurang ekonomi. India, meski sekarang ekonominya sangat pesat, tapi tak merata. Ada orang yang sangat super kaya--liat ajah di daftar 100 orang terkaya, orang2 India banyak yang berada di urutan atas--namun juga ada kaum miskin yang cerita kemiskinannya bisa membuat hati Anda teriris-iris, tak perlu jauh-jauh, tonton saja film Slumdog Millionaire yang kesohor itu.
Selain itu, Mr. Ali, yang mendirikan biro jodoh, memiliki anak lelaki yang... belum berjodoh, lebih sibuk mementingkan perjuangan dengan demonstrasi membela kaum miskin. Ini jelas dilema bagi Mr. Ali. bagaimana bisa dia menemukan jodoh dan mebahagiakan keuarga orang lain tetapi keluarganya sendiri terpecah?
Selain itu, kejadian sehari-hari yang dialami Mr. Ali, banyak terselipi pesan moral, misalnya ttg toleransi antar umat beragama. Jangan kuatir, banyaknya pesan moral ini tak akan membuat kening berkerut.
Untuk kisah cinta dan pesan moralnya, 2 bintang
ketiga, terjemahannya sangat mulus, 1 bintang
keempat. editing. terjemahannya nyaris sempurna. namun tak dibarengin editing yang memuaskan, setidaknya menurut saia. Misalnya, dikisahkan bahwa Mr. Ali memetik dan memakan buah guava. lha... kenapa gak diterjemahkan sebagai jambu biji ajah? kan lebih populer jambu biji daripada guava. Lagian, kata ini menimbulkan nuansa aneh. membayangkan orang yang memakan buah guava seperti membayangkan alien dari planet Makaru memakan kue boguria yang ternyata sejenis getuk [image error]. Ada juga nama-nama aneh lainnya yang sebaiknya diterjemahkan saja. misalnya, kebun Mr. Ali banyak terdapat tanaman yang bernama curry leaf (bukannya lebih populer kata tumbuhan "salam koja"-buat bumbu kari) dan henna (yang jelas merupakan tanaman pacar cina buat mewarnai kuku). rasanya aneh ajah jika nama tanaman yang sebenarnya familiar, tapi tetap dipertahankan dengan nama asingnya. kalaupun iya, sebaiknya diberi catatan kaki, yang sayangnya tidak ada.
Yang cukup mengganggu lagi adalah minim keterangan. Penulis menceritakan bahwa kisahnya terjadi di kota kecil yang bernama "Vizag", namun tak diterangkan dimana letak kota itu. Kalau kisahnya bersetting Mumbay, Delhi atau Kalkuta, mungkin kita tak perlu diterangkan kondisi geografisnya. Tapi "Vizag", letaknya dimana bagian India? (FYI, luas India jauh lebih luas drpd Indonesia). Soalnya, kondisi sosial buadaya sebagaimana yang tergambarkan di buku ini membuat "Vizag" sangat menarik. Kota kecil dengan jurang ekonomi yang besar (banyak orang kaya yg mencari jodoh namun tetangga2 Mr Ali miskinnya luar biasa), mayoritas beragama Hindu tapi banyak yang beragama Islam (keluarga Mr. Ali salah satunya). Bahasa yang digunakan adalah bahasa "Telugu". Dang! saia bener2 nyerah dg nama bahasa ini. Ok, selama ini kita mengenal India memiliki bahasa "Urdu", "Bengali", "Tamil", "Malayalam" tapi "Telugu"? saia belum pernah denger :P
Tebakan saia, kota "Vizag" mestilah merupakan kota pesisir yang letaknya cukup dekat dg Bangladeh di Timur India atau dekat Pakistan di Barat India (agar cukup banyak warga muslimnya dengan kemajuan ekonomi yang timpang). Hasil googling menunjukan bahwa kota ini terletak di negara bagian "Andhra Pradesh" yang secara sosial memang unik, memiliki bahasa tradisional "Telugu" dengan kemajuan ekonomi yang pesat. keterangan ini tak terdapat di buku. dan banyak hal lainnya. karena itu nilainya -1 bintang
tenang saja, di luar istilah2 ini sangat sedikit yang perlu editing lagi, alias bukunya udah sangat ok. Kalo Anda membaca buku ini tanpa berpikir jauh, keliatan kok bagusnya bahasa buku ini, hehe... ini mah saia ajah yg bawel [image error]
jadi total bintangnya 1+1+2 - 1 = 3 bintang
saatnya nyanyi Beatles :D
Can't Buy Me Love
Can't buy me love, love
Can't buy me love
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright
I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright
'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love, no no no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love
April 1, 2014
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People was a welcome breath of fresh air.
Thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant read. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about this book. This was just a nice quaint story and exactly the right fit for my mood right now.
Mr. Ali has retired from his first career and has hung a sign outside the door of his house and started a second one. Mr. Ali has opened a marriage bureau. What is a “Marriage Bureau” you ask? In the Ali’s South East India community most marriages, whether Muslim, Hindu or Christian are arranged. Families arrange matches for their sons and daughters based on religion, caste or various other specifications. A lot of families handle this tradition through friends, relatives or acquaintances but when they need a little help, they come to Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau. Similar to a dating service but for marriage, Mr. Ali collects the members information, compiles it into a data base (his big old green cabinet) and advertises the information in local newspapers to attract perspective matches. Mr. Ali is successful. You can tell by the various pictures of happy couples his assistant Aruna hangs upon the wall. This story is about the various families, couples, matches and little stories of the people that cross the path of Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau.
Mr. Ali is a wise, insightful father figure to all. Mrs. Ali is always present greeting the clients and being an excellent example of a home maker and wonderful cook. The two of them work together in their own different ways to encourage the perfect matches. Even Aruna, their helpful and talented assistant is not even beyond their matchmaking efforts. For some a tradition is completed with perfection. For some romance is in the air. All are welcome at the marriage bureau.
I always enjoy reading books that give me a bird’s eye view into other cultures. It’s always interesting to learn about different countries, lifestyles and traditions. I do watch Hindi, Telagu and Tamil movies (and read the subtitles) so this was reminiscent of things I’ve watched and I was generally familiar with the culture I was reading about. I liked that the author really took the time in story form to explain some of the marriage traditions involving the different religions, different castes and different villages. I liked that there was a lot of detail in regards to the people and their attire. I had a very vivid picture. I also appreciated the many South Indian dishes mentioned and even a recipe was included. I just discovered that this is a series and I will surely check out the other books. This author has a nice smooth way of telling the story.
I’m giving this book 4 stars. It was a good, sweet story with quite a few good attributes and pearls of wisdom and a happy ending.
I actually do recommend it to anyone looking to explore another culture, read a nice story and finish with a happy ending.
I am probably going to try to order the other books really soon.
Thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant read. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about this book. This was just a nice quaint story and exactly the right fit for my mood right now.
Mr. Ali has retired from his first career and has hung a sign outside the door of his house and started a second one. Mr. Ali has opened a marriage bureau. What is a “Marriage Bureau” you ask? In the Ali’s South East India community most marriages, whether Muslim, Hindu or Christian are arranged. Families arrange matches for their sons and daughters based on religion, caste or various other specifications. A lot of families handle this tradition through friends, relatives or acquaintances but when they need a little help, they come to Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau. Similar to a dating service but for marriage, Mr. Ali collects the members information, compiles it into a data base (his big old green cabinet) and advertises the information in local newspapers to attract perspective matches. Mr. Ali is successful. You can tell by the various pictures of happy couples his assistant Aruna hangs upon the wall. This story is about the various families, couples, matches and little stories of the people that cross the path of Mr. Ali’s marriage bureau.
Mr. Ali is a wise, insightful father figure to all. Mrs. Ali is always present greeting the clients and being an excellent example of a home maker and wonderful cook. The two of them work together in their own different ways to encourage the perfect matches. Even Aruna, their helpful and talented assistant is not even beyond their matchmaking efforts. For some a tradition is completed with perfection. For some romance is in the air. All are welcome at the marriage bureau.
I always enjoy reading books that give me a bird’s eye view into other cultures. It’s always interesting to learn about different countries, lifestyles and traditions. I do watch Hindi, Telagu and Tamil movies (and read the subtitles) so this was reminiscent of things I’ve watched and I was generally familiar with the culture I was reading about. I liked that the author really took the time in story form to explain some of the marriage traditions involving the different religions, different castes and different villages. I liked that there was a lot of detail in regards to the people and their attire. I had a very vivid picture. I also appreciated the many South Indian dishes mentioned and even a recipe was included. I just discovered that this is a series and I will surely check out the other books. This author has a nice smooth way of telling the story.
I’m giving this book 4 stars. It was a good, sweet story with quite a few good attributes and pearls of wisdom and a happy ending.
I actually do recommend it to anyone looking to explore another culture, read a nice story and finish with a happy ending.
I am probably going to try to order the other books really soon.
June 23, 2010
Buku ini memberi saya cara pandang baru dalam melihat kebudayaan India, yang selama ini hanya saya lihat secara sekilas dari film-film Bollywood.
Masyarakat India memiliki pandangan yang cukup konservatif dalam memandang pernikahan, bahkan anak yang mencari sendiri jodohnya dianggap kurang ajar,dan melanggar tradisi.
Dan bagi mereka, jatuh cinta dilakukan setelah menikah. Menikah karena cinta dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang memalukan. Lucu juga ya.
Buku ini mengambil point of view Mr.Ali, seorang pensiunan pegawai negeri yang akhirnya membuka sebuah biro jodoh untuk mengisi masa pensiunnya. Ternyata biro jodohnya berkembang pesat, sampai-sampai dia membutuhkan seorang asisten untuk membantunya, dan terpilihnya Aruna.
Aruna adalah seorang gadis muda dari Kasta Brahmana, dan memeluk agama Hindu, sedangkan Mr.Ali sendiri adalah seorang muslim, tapi hal ini sama sekali tak menganggu interaksi mereka.
Dari Mr. Ali dan istrinya, Mrs. Ali sepertinya kita bisa belajar banyak bagaimana seharusnya menyakini perbedaan yang ada, karena mereka meyakini bahwa semua agama menyembah Tuhan yang sama, dan agama adalah buatan manusia. Karena menyembah Tuhan yang sama tak semestinya para pemeluk agama yang berbeda meributkan perbedaaan mereka.
Dari buku ini kita juga bisa melihat kekonsevatifan para orangtua di India dalam usaha mencari jodoh bagi anak mereka. Mereka menghendaki calon menantu dengan latar belakang yang setara, seperti agama, kasta, tingkat pendidikan, dan juga kemampuan bebahasa Inggris. Banyak orangtua yang nggak menginginkan menantu perempuan mereka menikah setelah bekerja. Tapi dari sini saya bisa merasakan, betapa masyarakat India, walah kadang terkesan modern, masih sangat menghormati orangtua mereka.
Oh, dan mereka juga, sayangnya memandang rendah para Janda. Seorang janda bisa dikucilkan oleh keluarganya, dianggap tak ada dan tak pernah diundang menghadiri acara keluarga apapun. Agak menyeramkan. Membuat saya teringat bahwa ada yang mengatakan saat seorang suami meninggal, sang istri diharapkan untuk ikut membakar diri bersama jasad suami mereka. Hal ini cukup bikin saya merinding hanya dengan membayangkannya saja.
Tapi yang paling saya suka dari buku ini adalah kisah cinta antara Aruna dan salah seorang klien potensial, bernama Ramanujam. Ramanujam adalah calon suami impian. Dari kasta Brahmana, keluarganya kaya raya, pendidikannya tinggi, seorang dokter, dan juga tinggi dan tampan. Makanya, wajar saja kalau keluarga Ram mengharapkan calon istri yang sempurna bagi anak mereka.
Ternyata Ram jatuh cinta pada Aruna. Gadis yang bagi kebanyakan orang biasa saja, keluarga miskin, kulitnya gelap, bahasa inggrisnya tak terlalu bagus, dan tak terlalu tinggi (kriteria2 yang penting bagi mereka). tapi kalau sudah cinta, apa mau dikata? Walau tentu saja hal ini membuat ngamuk keluarga Ram...
And then Mr.Ali came and saved the day.
Dan cerita pun berakhir bahagia, persis seperti kesukaan saya. *big grin*
Pesan yang saya pelajari dari buku ini adalah, betapa keras pun kita mencari, kalau yang kita kehendaki adalah kesempurnaan, maka kita tak akan pernah menemukannya.
Menemukan seseorang yang baik dan sesuai bagi kita jauh lebih penting dan membahagiakan dibanding ngoyo mendapatkan seseorang yang kita inginkan.
Pilihannya ada pada kita, ingin terlihat bahagia dengan memiliki sesuatu yang sempurna, atau benar-benar bahagia dengan sesuatu yang istimewa?
Masyarakat India memiliki pandangan yang cukup konservatif dalam memandang pernikahan, bahkan anak yang mencari sendiri jodohnya dianggap kurang ajar,dan melanggar tradisi.
Dan bagi mereka, jatuh cinta dilakukan setelah menikah. Menikah karena cinta dianggap sebagai sesuatu yang memalukan. Lucu juga ya.
Buku ini mengambil point of view Mr.Ali, seorang pensiunan pegawai negeri yang akhirnya membuka sebuah biro jodoh untuk mengisi masa pensiunnya. Ternyata biro jodohnya berkembang pesat, sampai-sampai dia membutuhkan seorang asisten untuk membantunya, dan terpilihnya Aruna.
Aruna adalah seorang gadis muda dari Kasta Brahmana, dan memeluk agama Hindu, sedangkan Mr.Ali sendiri adalah seorang muslim, tapi hal ini sama sekali tak menganggu interaksi mereka.
Dari Mr. Ali dan istrinya, Mrs. Ali sepertinya kita bisa belajar banyak bagaimana seharusnya menyakini perbedaan yang ada, karena mereka meyakini bahwa semua agama menyembah Tuhan yang sama, dan agama adalah buatan manusia. Karena menyembah Tuhan yang sama tak semestinya para pemeluk agama yang berbeda meributkan perbedaaan mereka.
Dari buku ini kita juga bisa melihat kekonsevatifan para orangtua di India dalam usaha mencari jodoh bagi anak mereka. Mereka menghendaki calon menantu dengan latar belakang yang setara, seperti agama, kasta, tingkat pendidikan, dan juga kemampuan bebahasa Inggris. Banyak orangtua yang nggak menginginkan menantu perempuan mereka menikah setelah bekerja. Tapi dari sini saya bisa merasakan, betapa masyarakat India, walah kadang terkesan modern, masih sangat menghormati orangtua mereka.
Oh, dan mereka juga, sayangnya memandang rendah para Janda. Seorang janda bisa dikucilkan oleh keluarganya, dianggap tak ada dan tak pernah diundang menghadiri acara keluarga apapun. Agak menyeramkan. Membuat saya teringat bahwa ada yang mengatakan saat seorang suami meninggal, sang istri diharapkan untuk ikut membakar diri bersama jasad suami mereka. Hal ini cukup bikin saya merinding hanya dengan membayangkannya saja.
Tapi yang paling saya suka dari buku ini adalah kisah cinta antara Aruna dan salah seorang klien potensial, bernama Ramanujam. Ramanujam adalah calon suami impian. Dari kasta Brahmana, keluarganya kaya raya, pendidikannya tinggi, seorang dokter, dan juga tinggi dan tampan. Makanya, wajar saja kalau keluarga Ram mengharapkan calon istri yang sempurna bagi anak mereka.
Ternyata Ram jatuh cinta pada Aruna. Gadis yang bagi kebanyakan orang biasa saja, keluarga miskin, kulitnya gelap, bahasa inggrisnya tak terlalu bagus, dan tak terlalu tinggi (kriteria2 yang penting bagi mereka). tapi kalau sudah cinta, apa mau dikata? Walau tentu saja hal ini membuat ngamuk keluarga Ram...
And then Mr.Ali came and saved the day.
Dan cerita pun berakhir bahagia, persis seperti kesukaan saya. *big grin*
Pesan yang saya pelajari dari buku ini adalah, betapa keras pun kita mencari, kalau yang kita kehendaki adalah kesempurnaan, maka kita tak akan pernah menemukannya.
Menemukan seseorang yang baik dan sesuai bagi kita jauh lebih penting dan membahagiakan dibanding ngoyo mendapatkan seseorang yang kita inginkan.
Pilihannya ada pada kita, ingin terlihat bahagia dengan memiliki sesuatu yang sempurna, atau benar-benar bahagia dengan sesuatu yang istimewa?
August 29, 2016
I expected to enjoy this more than I did. The first half contained a lot of detail about the marriage bureau, but not much character or plot, and I almost set it aside. Luckily the second half improved.
In his retirement, Mr Ali needs something to do with all his free time. He decides to set up a marriage bureau - a matching service - at his home. (Why?) The business takes off and he finds that he needs to take on an assistant, so Aruna (who has her own unfortunate romantic history) begins working at the bureau. The story basically comprises a number of interactions that lead to successful matches, and there's a sub-plot of sorts involving Mr Ali's only son, who protests for farmers' rights in a nearby village.
let me tell you something - as long as his sister is looking for a bride for him, he will never get married
Probably the most interesting thing about this book is a very detailed description of a Hindu wedding towards the end, and to a lesser extent (because it was briefer) the Muslim one that occurred earlier in the story. I also learned a bit more about the caste system as it operates in India, although right at the end we get what I think is an authorial opinion: A fly on the wall of his office might think that Indians were obsessed with caste and that nothing had changed in a hundred years. That’s not true, thought Mr Ali. Marriage was one institution where caste was still important, but in other matters it was losing its hold.
I think my cultural awareness is pretty good, and I try to be consciously tolerant, but even so, there were aspects of this story that offended my feminist sensibilities. The writing certainly accentuated this. I doubt that I will continue on with the series. I'm giving it 2.5★
In his retirement, Mr Ali needs something to do with all his free time. He decides to set up a marriage bureau - a matching service - at his home. (Why?) The business takes off and he finds that he needs to take on an assistant, so Aruna (who has her own unfortunate romantic history) begins working at the bureau. The story basically comprises a number of interactions that lead to successful matches, and there's a sub-plot of sorts involving Mr Ali's only son, who protests for farmers' rights in a nearby village.
let me tell you something - as long as his sister is looking for a bride for him, he will never get married
Probably the most interesting thing about this book is a very detailed description of a Hindu wedding towards the end, and to a lesser extent (because it was briefer) the Muslim one that occurred earlier in the story. I also learned a bit more about the caste system as it operates in India, although right at the end we get what I think is an authorial opinion: A fly on the wall of his office might think that Indians were obsessed with caste and that nothing had changed in a hundred years. That’s not true, thought Mr Ali. Marriage was one institution where caste was still important, but in other matters it was losing its hold.
I think my cultural awareness is pretty good, and I try to be consciously tolerant, but even so, there were aspects of this story that offended my feminist sensibilities. The writing certainly accentuated this. I doubt that I will continue on with the series. I'm giving it 2.5★
July 13, 2009
I have to say, the book fooled me a bit; I thought it would be more literary, but really, by the end, it was a basic chick lit romance. However it was so cleverly disguised in the society and cultures of India that I was seduced.
Mr. Ali is retired and decides to supplement his pension by opening a marriage bureau for arranged marriages. His assistant is a young woman whose family is unable to afford a wedding for her, so she must remain unmarried. Mr. Ali has a son who is involved in protests, causing Mr. Ali and his wife great distress. The story lines are fairly simple and the conclusions are fairly facile, but Zama goes into such detail into Indian life--how and why marriages are arranged; why love marriages are discouraged; what people eat; how people behave; the mingling of Muslim and Hindi neighbors--that I was drawn into the story and looked forward to reading it. The writing verges on clunky at times, but so what. This was the perfect summer read--light, fun, and yet a window into a different world from mine.
Mr. Ali is retired and decides to supplement his pension by opening a marriage bureau for arranged marriages. His assistant is a young woman whose family is unable to afford a wedding for her, so she must remain unmarried. Mr. Ali has a son who is involved in protests, causing Mr. Ali and his wife great distress. The story lines are fairly simple and the conclusions are fairly facile, but Zama goes into such detail into Indian life--how and why marriages are arranged; why love marriages are discouraged; what people eat; how people behave; the mingling of Muslim and Hindi neighbors--that I was drawn into the story and looked forward to reading it. The writing verges on clunky at times, but so what. This was the perfect summer read--light, fun, and yet a window into a different world from mine.
July 21, 2010
Bukankah kekayaan itu dengan banyaknya harta benda, akan tetapi kekayaan (yang hakiki) itu adalah kecukupan di dalam hati. -- Nabi Muhammad SAW (HR. Bukhari). pg. 5
Ini buku direkomendasikan oleh Qui :D
Tumben-tumbenan itu anak ngasih rekomen buku drama. biasanya Stephen King. =))
Beli sudah lumayan lama, tapi baru sempat dibaca sekarang. Jujur saja aku suka banget sama covernya. Unik. Warnanya juga bagus.
Buku ini ringan, bukan seperti drama-drama lain. Aku suka dengan jalan ceritanya, karakter tokohnya. Terjemahannya juga apik banget. Banyak kutipan bagus dari buku ringan ini. Salah satunya.
"Dunia ini penuh dengan berbagai jenis orang, untung bagi kita. Aku tak tahu kenapa mereka mendatangi biro jodoh, tapi kuberitahu sesuatu. Selama kakaknya yang mencarikan jodoh, Ramanujam tidak akan pernah menikah."
Aruna terperanjat dan bertanya, "Mengapa Anda bilang begitu, Sir?"
"Katakanlah ini karena pengalaman, bisa juga indera keenam. Kakaknya akan terus mencari jodoh yang sempurna, padahal kesempurnaan hanyalah milik Tuhan semata. Tidak ada yang sebanding dengan-Nya di dunia ini. Konon putri-putri kaisar Mughal, Aurangzeb, melajang seumur hidup karena mereka tidak dapat menemukan pasangan yang dianggap cukup baik. Seperti itulah nasib Ramanujam. Patut disesalkan, sebab kelihatannya dia pemuda yang baik.
Suka banget ama kata-kata itu. Sering kali kita manusia memang terlalu banyak memilih. Gak usah jauh-jauh milih calon suami, kadang pacar aja kita milih-milih. Gak mau yang ini karena begini. Gak mau yang itu karena begitu. Huahaha. Padahal fisik dan dompet tebal itu kan belum tentu membawa kebahagiaan. Kenapa sih gak milih seseorang karena nyaman sama dia. Peduli amat ama mukanya, kalo dia bisa bikin ketawa dan bahagia, kenapa gak? Toh kalo punya cowok cakep tapi ngeboringin kan males juga. Huahahaha *ini bukan curcol loh* ;D
Pada dasarnya memang manusia itu pemilih kan? Sifat pemilih manusia itu yang kadang menjerumuskan manusia ke kehidupan yang menurutnya bahagia tapi sebenarnya hampa. Yah siapa sih yang tahu arti bahagia sebenarnya? tentunya manusia itu sendiri yang tahu, bukan.
Karena buatku bahagia itu adalah bisa tertawa bersama orang-orang yang kusayangi. Baik keluarga, teman, atau pacar. ;D
Dan lihat orang yang kita sayang bahagia, tentunya juga bikin aku bahagia.
Lihat Biro Jodoh Mr. Ali ini jadi pengen request.
bisa gak 2 orang ini jadi milikku? =))
[image error]
[image error]
*grin* *grin*
Ini buku direkomendasikan oleh Qui :D
Tumben-tumbenan itu anak ngasih rekomen buku drama. biasanya Stephen King. =))
Beli sudah lumayan lama, tapi baru sempat dibaca sekarang. Jujur saja aku suka banget sama covernya. Unik. Warnanya juga bagus.
Buku ini ringan, bukan seperti drama-drama lain. Aku suka dengan jalan ceritanya, karakter tokohnya. Terjemahannya juga apik banget. Banyak kutipan bagus dari buku ringan ini. Salah satunya.
"Dunia ini penuh dengan berbagai jenis orang, untung bagi kita. Aku tak tahu kenapa mereka mendatangi biro jodoh, tapi kuberitahu sesuatu. Selama kakaknya yang mencarikan jodoh, Ramanujam tidak akan pernah menikah."
Aruna terperanjat dan bertanya, "Mengapa Anda bilang begitu, Sir?"
"Katakanlah ini karena pengalaman, bisa juga indera keenam. Kakaknya akan terus mencari jodoh yang sempurna, padahal kesempurnaan hanyalah milik Tuhan semata. Tidak ada yang sebanding dengan-Nya di dunia ini. Konon putri-putri kaisar Mughal, Aurangzeb, melajang seumur hidup karena mereka tidak dapat menemukan pasangan yang dianggap cukup baik. Seperti itulah nasib Ramanujam. Patut disesalkan, sebab kelihatannya dia pemuda yang baik.
Suka banget ama kata-kata itu. Sering kali kita manusia memang terlalu banyak memilih. Gak usah jauh-jauh milih calon suami, kadang pacar aja kita milih-milih. Gak mau yang ini karena begini. Gak mau yang itu karena begitu. Huahaha. Padahal fisik dan dompet tebal itu kan belum tentu membawa kebahagiaan. Kenapa sih gak milih seseorang karena nyaman sama dia. Peduli amat ama mukanya, kalo dia bisa bikin ketawa dan bahagia, kenapa gak? Toh kalo punya cowok cakep tapi ngeboringin kan males juga. Huahahaha *ini bukan curcol loh* ;D
Pada dasarnya memang manusia itu pemilih kan? Sifat pemilih manusia itu yang kadang menjerumuskan manusia ke kehidupan yang menurutnya bahagia tapi sebenarnya hampa. Yah siapa sih yang tahu arti bahagia sebenarnya? tentunya manusia itu sendiri yang tahu, bukan.
Karena buatku bahagia itu adalah bisa tertawa bersama orang-orang yang kusayangi. Baik keluarga, teman, atau pacar. ;D
Dan lihat orang yang kita sayang bahagia, tentunya juga bikin aku bahagia.
Lihat Biro Jodoh Mr. Ali ini jadi pengen request.
bisa gak 2 orang ini jadi milikku? =))
[image error]
[image error]
*grin* *grin*
September 26, 2010
I finished this book yesterday afternoon and have already begun forgetting it.
Not that this was an awful book. In fact, fans of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and its oeuvre would probably find this book's simplistic writing, facile plot, and exotic setting charming and quaint. For a curmudgeon like me, though, books like this are way too lightweight. I felt like I was reading a children's book.
"The Marriage Bureau for Rich People" basically offers up a slice of life in an Indian village. Mr. Ali, a bored retiree, opens up a matchmaking service which somehow attracts suitable candidates instantly (why do these eligible people need a marriage service, anyway?) and is wildly successful. The book's slow-moving plot focuses on the love story of Mr. Ali's assistant, Aruna, and on Mr. and Mrs. Ali's difficulties with their activist son.
I'm all for light, comforting reads; I don't claim to be someone who can only be satisfied with an intellectually challenging book. In order for a light read to work for me, though, I do need something in the way of writing, plot, and/or characterization. I didn't find any of that in this book. But then again, I didn't like the much-touted The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency either, so I may be in the minority here.
Not that this was an awful book. In fact, fans of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and its oeuvre would probably find this book's simplistic writing, facile plot, and exotic setting charming and quaint. For a curmudgeon like me, though, books like this are way too lightweight. I felt like I was reading a children's book.
"The Marriage Bureau for Rich People" basically offers up a slice of life in an Indian village. Mr. Ali, a bored retiree, opens up a matchmaking service which somehow attracts suitable candidates instantly (why do these eligible people need a marriage service, anyway?) and is wildly successful. The book's slow-moving plot focuses on the love story of Mr. Ali's assistant, Aruna, and on Mr. and Mrs. Ali's difficulties with their activist son.
I'm all for light, comforting reads; I don't claim to be someone who can only be satisfied with an intellectually challenging book. In order for a light read to work for me, though, I do need something in the way of writing, plot, and/or characterization. I didn't find any of that in this book. But then again, I didn't like the much-touted The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency either, so I may be in the minority here.
May 24, 2018
The affection between them was clear to everybody. Mr. Ali knew from long experience that this romantic love would not last more than a couple of years and they would have to forge a different kind to last them a lifetime, but it was still heartwarming to see.
September 17, 2014
Zama's debut novel reads like a modern day version of Pride and Prejudice, but he takes us to the thriving East-Indian town of Vizag instead of a more Western setting. Although there is plenty of romance to go around, many other issues are slipped into the narrative to keep it from becoming just another chick-lit. And believe me, it really is more than that. Granted, the book doesn't offer any serious in-depth discussions of controversial (?) topics, but the clash of the traditional and the modern in Indian society are nevertheless made obvious. While the Alis themselves seem to breeze through their everyday existence (and therefore remain a bit two-dimensional), their Bureau and themselves form the nucleus around which the more interesting stuff revolves. Their son Rehman, a well-educated young man, has endless fights with his father; his parents plead him to find a good job and stop rallying against social injustice. Leela, their maid, has a sick grandson with a brain-tumor; she worries about finding the funds to pay for his operation. And let's not forget the Bureau's clientele, who face a multitude of problems.
I could really appreciate Zama offering his readers an insight to the craft of matchmaking and Indian weddings, Hindu (Brahmin) and Muslim in particular. Marriage problems in India, ones that I had not imagined, were readily discussed. Just to name a few: divorcees have a difficult time finding a new partner, young wives run the risk of being accused of bringing ill luck into their in-laws' house and love marriages (i.e. finding one's own partner instead of leaving the matchmaking to a respectable family member or a marriage bureau) is heavily frowned upon.
I was pleased that the novel features people with different religions and of different castes. The Alis are a Muslim household, but they accept the variety of backgrounds of their clients as a matter of fact. Still, a point of critique would be the author's readiness to smooth over any problems his protagonists encounter. I wonder whether Mr and Mrs Ali's common sense advice would really solve everything in real life?
Finally, there is no denying that this novel is an enjoyable and relatively easy read. If you prefer something that delves deeper into contemporary Indian society though, I recommend The Death of Vishnu and The White Tiger.
I could really appreciate Zama offering his readers an insight to the craft of matchmaking and Indian weddings, Hindu (Brahmin) and Muslim in particular. Marriage problems in India, ones that I had not imagined, were readily discussed. Just to name a few: divorcees have a difficult time finding a new partner, young wives run the risk of being accused of bringing ill luck into their in-laws' house and love marriages (i.e. finding one's own partner instead of leaving the matchmaking to a respectable family member or a marriage bureau) is heavily frowned upon.
I was pleased that the novel features people with different religions and of different castes. The Alis are a Muslim household, but they accept the variety of backgrounds of their clients as a matter of fact. Still, a point of critique would be the author's readiness to smooth over any problems his protagonists encounter. I wonder whether Mr and Mrs Ali's common sense advice would really solve everything in real life?
Finally, there is no denying that this novel is an enjoyable and relatively easy read. If you prefer something that delves deeper into contemporary Indian society though, I recommend The Death of Vishnu and The White Tiger.
May 5, 2009
Mr. Ali is a bored retiree in a coastal Indian town who decides to open a matchmaking service to keep himself busy. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People paints a slow-paced but engaging portrait of the lives of Mr. Ali and his family, their assistant Aruna, and the clients who come to seek out their services.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the access it offered into the exotic complexities of Indian culture. The rituals of marriage arranging provide a fascinating window into the lives of people who are driven by very different motivations than I am personally familiar with. Customers who come to Mr. Ali have no interest in love at first sight but are more concerned with matters of caste and height, family reputations and dowry size. Conflict comes when children who have ideas of their own attempt to exercise their independence within the confines of a culture in which marriage is considered a familial responsibility rather than a vehicle for personal satisfaction.
Despite displaying both political and familial conflict, as well as the struggles of the impoverished, the book never strays too far from its lightness of tone. Mr. Ali is a Muslim who works genially with clients of all religions in a peacefully integrated town. He has a deft understanding of human nature and what it takes to both secure a good match and follow it with a satisfying marriage. Though he can get a bit preachy at times, I found myself agreeing with much of his advice and thinking that love-and-chemistry-driven American marriages might benefit from the guidance of someone like Mr. Ali.
I had the good fortune to attend an Indian wedding a few years ago, which no doubt contributed to my enjoyment of this book. Even with that background, the beginning moves slowly enough that it took me a while to really get into the story. The ending, while satisfying, is also not likely to surprise anyone. Despite these issues, this is a genuinely charming book I would recommend to anyone with an interest in Indian culture, and also to romantics who appreciate the value of a little bit of pragmatism in matters of the heart.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the access it offered into the exotic complexities of Indian culture. The rituals of marriage arranging provide a fascinating window into the lives of people who are driven by very different motivations than I am personally familiar with. Customers who come to Mr. Ali have no interest in love at first sight but are more concerned with matters of caste and height, family reputations and dowry size. Conflict comes when children who have ideas of their own attempt to exercise their independence within the confines of a culture in which marriage is considered a familial responsibility rather than a vehicle for personal satisfaction.
Despite displaying both political and familial conflict, as well as the struggles of the impoverished, the book never strays too far from its lightness of tone. Mr. Ali is a Muslim who works genially with clients of all religions in a peacefully integrated town. He has a deft understanding of human nature and what it takes to both secure a good match and follow it with a satisfying marriage. Though he can get a bit preachy at times, I found myself agreeing with much of his advice and thinking that love-and-chemistry-driven American marriages might benefit from the guidance of someone like Mr. Ali.
I had the good fortune to attend an Indian wedding a few years ago, which no doubt contributed to my enjoyment of this book. Even with that background, the beginning moves slowly enough that it took me a while to really get into the story. The ending, while satisfying, is also not likely to surprise anyone. Despite these issues, this is a genuinely charming book I would recommend to anyone with an interest in Indian culture, and also to romantics who appreciate the value of a little bit of pragmatism in matters of the heart.
August 2, 2009
This novel, which is about an old man in India starting a marriage bureau to keep busy in his retired life, was bland and boring. Though set in modern day, the story and the plot lines were old-fashioned and didn't keep up with the current times. The one story line that illustrated the emergence of a new generation of Indians was not explored well enough. The writing was repetitive and written as if the story was translated from another language into English. The author was trying to focus on the characters and making them relatable, but he was not successful. The main character was supposed to be well-liked, but in a lot of the scenes, he came across narrow-minded, even till the end of the novel. I think the novel caters to older, more orthodox Indians who enjoy reading conservative, traditional literature, and they can find more relevance with the characters and the story lines.
Since my family is conservative, I could relate to some parts of the book and I enjoyed learning about the meaning of the rituals behind the wedding scenes. I liked how Hindus and Muslims can co-exist in the novel, which is not usually touched upon in most books. This story is just a glimpse into a small aspect of Indian culture, but if you are looking for a contemporary novel about the rich culture of modern-day India, then this book is not for you.
Since my family is conservative, I could relate to some parts of the book and I enjoyed learning about the meaning of the rituals behind the wedding scenes. I liked how Hindus and Muslims can co-exist in the novel, which is not usually touched upon in most books. This story is just a glimpse into a small aspect of Indian culture, but if you are looking for a contemporary novel about the rich culture of modern-day India, then this book is not for you.
May 26, 2014
I really didn't have a clue what I was getting into when I started this book; the back cover didn't tell me much about what type of book would be. I bought it on sale at BAM and it has sat on my bookcase ever since. Today I was looking for a book to sit outside and read on the porch;I grabbed this one and settled in. I read the whole thing in just over four hours. I was blown away. This book may be fiction, but it taught me so much about a religion I knew nothing about. I am going to recommend this book to EVERYONE!
June 1, 2017
I am biased about this book, this is set in Andhra Pradesh i.e yes the same state I live and it is all about the middle-class South Indian households. Heroine is from a Brahmin family so it's as if I am reading about my own household and the society I live in. It's bizarre to find so many similarities, good kind of weird.
I loved Mr and Mrs.Ali, especially Mr.Ali's stories and his subtle sense of humour. He is a great story teller and can change your mindset just about anything,he can convince anyone except for his own son. This was fun lighthearted and warm, I am actually happy to have read this book, was not expecting such good stuff from an Indian Author ( Uh Ah! I am not a big fan of Indian best seller novels, esp the YA* they are as if from a different India I don't know of ) .
I am warning, many people may find it boring if you are expecting some hysterical drama and toe-curling romance , this is just the Plain Jane type novel with right amount of Wit.
I loved Mr and Mrs.Ali, especially Mr.Ali's stories and his subtle sense of humour. He is a great story teller and can change your mindset just about anything,he can convince anyone except for his own son. This was fun lighthearted and warm, I am actually happy to have read this book, was not expecting such good stuff from an Indian Author ( Uh Ah! I am not a big fan of Indian best seller novels, esp the YA* they are as if from a different India I don't know of ) .
I am warning, many people may find it boring if you are expecting some hysterical drama and toe-curling romance , this is just the Plain Jane type novel with right amount of Wit.
February 9, 2010
Untunglah saya tidak lahir dan hidup di India! Itu pikiran pertama yang melintas saat membaca buku ini. Kenapa? Duh, mau kawin aja ribet banget! Nggak heran jika Biro Jodoh Khusus Kaum Elite yang didirikan Mr. Ali setelah dia pensiun, laris manis.
Bayangkan, menikah atas dasar cinta itu tercela hukumnya! Jadi kalau mau menikah, jodohmu harus dipilihkan oleh keluarga atau mak comblang atau yah...pemilik biro jodoh. Karena banyak sekali yang harus dipertimbangkan. Kasta, penghasilan, jumlah anggota keluarga, kemampuan menyediakan maskawin, dan sebagainya dan seterusnya. Pokoknya dijamin nelangsa kalau kamu tipe orang yang gampang jatuh cinta pada pandangan pertama ^_^
Nah, di sela kesibukan mengurus biro jodoh serta klien-kliennya yang beraneka ragam, Mr. Ali harus menelan pil pahit saat menghadapi putra tunggalnya, Rehman, yang seorang aktivis. Sementara Mr. Ali menasihati para calon mempelai agar mendapat jodoh dan kehidupan yang mapan dan bahagia, dia malah selalu ribut dengan Rehman karena pemuda itu menolak kehidupan mapan dan memilih untuk berjuang membela petani miskin yang tertindas perusahaan multinasional bermodal besar.
Dalam menjalankan usahanya, Mr. Ali (bersama Mrs. Ali, karena pasangan suami-istri yang bijak dan baik hati ini bagaikan satu paket), dia dibantu oleh Aruna, gadis sederhana berhati mulia yang bekerja untuk membiayai keluarga. Sehari-hari mengurus perjodohan dan pasangan hidup, siapa sangka ternyata Aruna juga memiliki masalah sendiri dalam hal percintaan. Dan sebagai orangtua yang baik, tentu saja Mr. dan Mrs. Ali turun tangan agar asisten mereka itu juga bisa berbahagia seperti klien-klien mereka.
Novel perdana Farahad Zama ini bisa dibilang sangat ringan. Jenis bacaan menyenangkan yang enak dinikmati di sore hari yang sejuk sambil minum teh dan makan kudapan (siap-siap menghadapi deskripsi makanan dan kue-kue India yang akan membuat mulut berliur). Ditulis dengan mendetail, kita seakan ikut merasakan suasana nyaman di rumah Mrs. dan Mr. Ali, warna-warni kain sari yang dipakai wanita India, serta percakapan di antara mereka yang penuh sopan santun dan kerap mengundang senyum. Nuansanya sedikit mengingatkan saya pada serial Kantor Detektif Wanita No.1 karya Alexander McCall Smith.
Sebagai putra India, Farahad tidak mengesampingkan keprihatinannya terhadap masalah-masalah sosial di negerinya seperti kemiskinan, korupsi, diskriminasi terhadap perempuan, sampai diskriminasi kasta. Namun sesuai kemasannya yang ringan dan menghibur, masalah-masalah tersebut ditampilkan dalam novel ini secara 'jenaka' dan dijamin tidak memacu debar jantung. Namun cukup terperinci untuk membuat pembaca menyelami seluk-beluk kehidupan masyarakat India yang unik.
Bagi pembaca yang realis/skeptis, mungkin akan sedikit mengerutkan dahi membaca sekelumit Kisah Cindrella yang terlalu-indah-untuk-menjadi-kenyataan dalam novel ini (kisah siapa? silakan dibaca sendiri kalau ingin tahu). Tapi Farahad dengan lihai menuliskannya tanpa berlebihan dan menurut saya itu adalah cara dia untuk menunjukkan bahwa di tengah hiruk-pikuk perjodohan yang ribet dan sering memakan 'korban', ternyata CINTA tetap ada dan bukan sekadar legenda.
Salut untuk terjemahan yang sangat mulus dan kover yang cantik!
Bayangkan, menikah atas dasar cinta itu tercela hukumnya! Jadi kalau mau menikah, jodohmu harus dipilihkan oleh keluarga atau mak comblang atau yah...pemilik biro jodoh. Karena banyak sekali yang harus dipertimbangkan. Kasta, penghasilan, jumlah anggota keluarga, kemampuan menyediakan maskawin, dan sebagainya dan seterusnya. Pokoknya dijamin nelangsa kalau kamu tipe orang yang gampang jatuh cinta pada pandangan pertama ^_^
Nah, di sela kesibukan mengurus biro jodoh serta klien-kliennya yang beraneka ragam, Mr. Ali harus menelan pil pahit saat menghadapi putra tunggalnya, Rehman, yang seorang aktivis. Sementara Mr. Ali menasihati para calon mempelai agar mendapat jodoh dan kehidupan yang mapan dan bahagia, dia malah selalu ribut dengan Rehman karena pemuda itu menolak kehidupan mapan dan memilih untuk berjuang membela petani miskin yang tertindas perusahaan multinasional bermodal besar.
Dalam menjalankan usahanya, Mr. Ali (bersama Mrs. Ali, karena pasangan suami-istri yang bijak dan baik hati ini bagaikan satu paket), dia dibantu oleh Aruna, gadis sederhana berhati mulia yang bekerja untuk membiayai keluarga. Sehari-hari mengurus perjodohan dan pasangan hidup, siapa sangka ternyata Aruna juga memiliki masalah sendiri dalam hal percintaan. Dan sebagai orangtua yang baik, tentu saja Mr. dan Mrs. Ali turun tangan agar asisten mereka itu juga bisa berbahagia seperti klien-klien mereka.
Novel perdana Farahad Zama ini bisa dibilang sangat ringan. Jenis bacaan menyenangkan yang enak dinikmati di sore hari yang sejuk sambil minum teh dan makan kudapan (siap-siap menghadapi deskripsi makanan dan kue-kue India yang akan membuat mulut berliur). Ditulis dengan mendetail, kita seakan ikut merasakan suasana nyaman di rumah Mrs. dan Mr. Ali, warna-warni kain sari yang dipakai wanita India, serta percakapan di antara mereka yang penuh sopan santun dan kerap mengundang senyum. Nuansanya sedikit mengingatkan saya pada serial Kantor Detektif Wanita No.1 karya Alexander McCall Smith.
Sebagai putra India, Farahad tidak mengesampingkan keprihatinannya terhadap masalah-masalah sosial di negerinya seperti kemiskinan, korupsi, diskriminasi terhadap perempuan, sampai diskriminasi kasta. Namun sesuai kemasannya yang ringan dan menghibur, masalah-masalah tersebut ditampilkan dalam novel ini secara 'jenaka' dan dijamin tidak memacu debar jantung. Namun cukup terperinci untuk membuat pembaca menyelami seluk-beluk kehidupan masyarakat India yang unik.
Bagi pembaca yang realis/skeptis, mungkin akan sedikit mengerutkan dahi membaca sekelumit Kisah Cindrella yang terlalu-indah-untuk-menjadi-kenyataan dalam novel ini (kisah siapa? silakan dibaca sendiri kalau ingin tahu). Tapi Farahad dengan lihai menuliskannya tanpa berlebihan dan menurut saya itu adalah cara dia untuk menunjukkan bahwa di tengah hiruk-pikuk perjodohan yang ribet dan sering memakan 'korban', ternyata CINTA tetap ada dan bukan sekadar legenda.
Salut untuk terjemahan yang sangat mulus dan kover yang cantik!
December 28, 2010
I picked up this book expecting it to be a bathtub read, and it was. It was also angering in a way I can't quite put my finger on.
For one thing, it would have made a better play than a novel. Half the book takes place in one of three main scenes, and with the focus being on relationships, the play format would have done the topics presented a great service.
Secondly, the characters are seriously two-dimensional and I can't bring myself to care about them at all.
This goes doubly for the Activist!Son we're introduced to. His protest involvement is something that is not touched upon enough in the novel (or rather, exactly how it affects and changes his parents).
The writing was rather clunky and not enjoyable. There was quite a bit of mansplaining and prescriptivism in the novel, despite the author's intentions of pushing the boundaries of how we consider love, marriage, love marriages, and arranged marriages. I have a big problem with the book stating, "A fly on the wall of his office might think that Indians were obsessed with caste and that nothing had changed in a hundred years. That's not true, thought Mr. Ali. Marriage was one institution where caste was still important, but in other matters it was losing its hold." I agree with this, but at the same time, I don't recall there being a single different-caste match made in the entire book, unless you count the tragic story that hovers over the entire novel as if to say, "This is what happens when an X marries a Y."
One thing I did enjoy was the way the author worked around putting in a lot of information about his hometown in the book—he makes the wife of the protagonist start brushing up on her English and includes the essays she writes in English in the back of the book. It allows us to see important historical facts about the area, and a character's perspective on where they live, but it does not weigh down the actual narrative.
Overall, the cover is about as colorful as this bland novel gets.
For one thing, it would have made a better play than a novel. Half the book takes place in one of three main scenes, and with the focus being on relationships, the play format would have done the topics presented a great service.
Secondly, the characters are seriously two-dimensional and I can't bring myself to care about them at all.
This goes doubly for the Activist!Son we're introduced to. His protest involvement is something that is not touched upon enough in the novel (or rather, exactly how it affects and changes his parents).
The writing was rather clunky and not enjoyable. There was quite a bit of mansplaining and prescriptivism in the novel, despite the author's intentions of pushing the boundaries of how we consider love, marriage, love marriages, and arranged marriages. I have a big problem with the book stating, "A fly on the wall of his office might think that Indians were obsessed with caste and that nothing had changed in a hundred years. That's not true, thought Mr. Ali. Marriage was one institution where caste was still important, but in other matters it was losing its hold." I agree with this, but at the same time, I don't recall there being a single different-caste match made in the entire book, unless you count the tragic story that hovers over the entire novel as if to say, "This is what happens when an X marries a Y."
One thing I did enjoy was the way the author worked around putting in a lot of information about his hometown in the book—he makes the wife of the protagonist start brushing up on her English and includes the essays she writes in English in the back of the book. It allows us to see important historical facts about the area, and a character's perspective on where they live, but it does not weigh down the actual narrative.
Overall, the cover is about as colorful as this bland novel gets.
April 27, 2014
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. The title does sound very "McCall Smith"-ish, or even Vish-Puri-ish, but fortunately it was not written by a Westerner winking over the heads of his characters to the Western reader, saying, "Aren't these people cute?" The characters don't speak pidgin English, either, which is a relief--and makes sense since they are speaking to each other in their own languages.
It's not a mystery novel, just a life-novel with a light touch--which touches on several important issues. Caste, arranged marriage, divorce, compromise of many kinds. There's a fairy-story romance element, but it is made believable with skillful writing and thorough knowledge of human relationships, particularly within the complex context of extended families. I learned quite a bit, without having it crammed down my throat; all of the "explanations" are incorporated in the text in a sensible way. Except maybe for the "English essays" in the back, which are a way of avoiding the explanatory notes and glossary common to other novels of the type--and in my case that was just a knee-jerk reaction as an ESL teacher, I suppose.
I see it's Number One in yet another series, but I wonder how much more can be done with these parameters without it descending into sameold sameold.
It's not a mystery novel, just a life-novel with a light touch--which touches on several important issues. Caste, arranged marriage, divorce, compromise of many kinds. There's a fairy-story romance element, but it is made believable with skillful writing and thorough knowledge of human relationships, particularly within the complex context of extended families. I learned quite a bit, without having it crammed down my throat; all of the "explanations" are incorporated in the text in a sensible way. Except maybe for the "English essays" in the back, which are a way of avoiding the explanatory notes and glossary common to other novels of the type--and in my case that was just a knee-jerk reaction as an ESL teacher, I suppose.
I see it's Number One in yet another series, but I wonder how much more can be done with these parameters without it descending into sameold sameold.
June 11, 2010
When Mr. Ali finds retirement to be less than thrilling, he decides to fill his days by running a matchmaking service to help arrange marriages. As the service grows, so does the breadth of the story. Whether helping a clueless client understand how best to present himself or arguing with his wife over the behavior of their activist son, Mr. Ali's finding retirement less than relaxing.
Though the book is an easy read with a happy ending, it touches on a number of interesting themes in an easy handed manner without discounting their seriousness. All in all, it's a thoroughly charming novel. Every character is likable and the story dips in and out of enough plot points that it never seems to lag. I did not see the final resolution of the story coming until close to the very end, and even on a second reading, I found I was still able to believe it without thinking I should have seen it coming the first time. I've just read that Zama is working on a sequel, and I can't wait for the chance to revisit these characters and the world in which they live.
Though the book is an easy read with a happy ending, it touches on a number of interesting themes in an easy handed manner without discounting their seriousness. All in all, it's a thoroughly charming novel. Every character is likable and the story dips in and out of enough plot points that it never seems to lag. I did not see the final resolution of the story coming until close to the very end, and even on a second reading, I found I was still able to believe it without thinking I should have seen it coming the first time. I've just read that Zama is working on a sequel, and I can't wait for the chance to revisit these characters and the world in which they live.
July 26, 2016
A very sweet book with a positive outlook. How contemporary India is balancing her past with her future. A very well written, very sweet story based in Vizag. The characters are well drawn, if not very deep. Thoroughly enjoyed.
April 22, 2011
Rezeki, jodoh, maut ada di tangan Tuhan. Tentu saja, ini merupakan aksioma--suatu kebenaran yang tak terbantahkan. Namun, karena dalam agama Islam Allah juga menganjurkan umat-Nya untuk berikhtiar, maka kita juga harus berupaya menemukan jodoh kita dan tidak duduk duduk diam saja berpangku tangan.
Salah satu bentuk ikhtiar yang diyakini Mr Ali, seorang pensiunan Muslim di India, adalah dengan membuka biro jodoh. Dengan memanfaatkan ruang iklan surat kabar, setumpuk kartu pos, dan beranda rumahnya sebagai kantor, Mr Ali membuka Biro Jodoh Ali untuk Kaum Elite, yang menyediakan jasanya untuk aneka kalangan, seperti: Muslim, Hindu, dan Kristen.
Cara kerja Mr Ali adalah dengan memasang suatu iklan kliennya di surat kabar—yang umumnya ditulis tanpa nama. Iklan dari klien pertama Mr Ali misalnya, berbunyi: “Baliga Kapu, gaji enam digit, harta delapan digit mencari calon istri yang cantik dari kasta yang sama..” Setelah menerima surat dari pelamar yang berminat, Mr Ali akan menyimpan data pelamar tersebut secara sistematis dalam berkas dokumen kantornya. Kemudian, Mr Ali akan membalas surat si pelamar dan mengajaknya bergabung di Biro Jodoh Ali agar mendapatkan lebih banyak pilihan.
Data para pelamar yang memenuhi kriteria klien akan disampaikan Mr Ali pada si klien. Jika si klien dan keluarganya berminat, tahap perkenalan dan lamaran akan dilakukan mereka sendiri, tanpa campur tangan Mr Ali.
Meski pekerjaan Biro Jodoh ini terkesan demikian administratif, Mr Ali juga selalu menemui tantangan dalam bentuk yang beragam. Mulai dari seorang klien yang kemampuan komunikasi interpersonalnya kurang sehingga kurang mampu mempromosikan dirinya sendiri, klien yang menginginkan calon mempelai pria yang bertubuh tinggi, klien yang telah bercerai, atau bahkan klien yang demikian sempurnanya sampai-sampai Aruna, asisten Mr Ali, bertanya-tanya, kenapa si klien sempurna ini masih memerlukan biro jodoh untuk mencari calon pengantinnya.
Di sinilah berperan kematangan emosi dan kecakapan keterampilan komunikasi Mr Ali sebagai pemilik Biro Jodoh. Sebagai orangtua yang telah makan asam garam dalam hidup dan pernikahan, Mr Ali juga kerap memberikan wejangan menyejukkan, yang juga saya camkan sebagai bahan pelajaran dalam pernikahan. Seperti: “Pernikahan itu soal kompromi. Kehidupan perkawinan adalah anugerah terbesar kalau kau mau berkompromi,” (hal 354-355).
Juga di hal 372: “Akan timbul konflik antara orangtuamu, terutama ibumu dan istrimu. Bagaimanapun dia memasuki rumah tangga yang sudah mapan dan mungkin terkesan mengacaukannya. Selain itu, orangtuamu bisa merasa tak nyaman. Mereka mungkin merasa kehilangan anak dan menyerahkannya pada perempuan asing ini. Kau tak boleh membutakan diri dari konflik seperti ini. Kau harus bersikap tegas pada masalah-masalah ini, tidak selalu berpihak pada istrimu, tapi juga tak selalu mendukung orangtuamu. Kau boleh mengharapkan istrimu mengubah beberapa hal…Tapi kau pun harus memberitahu orangtuamu bahwa beberapa hal akan sangat berbeda dengan adanya menantu perempuan di rumah. Istrimu harus tahu ketika kau membicarakan ini dengan orangtuamu, jangan sampai dia merasa terabaikan dan seorang diri seolah tak ada yang membelanya di dunia ini. Ini tugas berat. Seorang pria mungkin merasa terjepit di antara kewajiban sebagai anak dan suami. Tapi tak ada yang pernah bilang bahwa menjadi laki-laki itu mudah.”
***
Sepanjang membaca buku ini, saya bertanya-tanya, apakah sang penulis, Farahad Zama juga dijodohkan. Jawabannya saya temukan dalam suatu artikel di New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fas...).
Dalam artikel dua halaman yang terbit pada 5 Juni 2009 ini, Farahad bertutur tentang perjodohannya dengan Sameera. Dua puluh satu tahun yang lalu, Farahad tengah berlibur di rumah keluarganya di India Selatan. Saat itu, sang ibu bertanya “What kind of girl do you want to marry?”
Usai Farahad menjawab bahwa ia menginginkan “a college graduate who could speak English”, orangtuanya segera mengatur pertemuannya dengan Sameera. Hanya dalam tempo dua bulan setelah pertemuan pertamanya dengan Sameera, mereka menikah. Bersama Sameera dan dua jagoan kecilnya, kini mereka tinggal di London.
“How could you marry somebody you did not know?” is a common question that many people have asked us in the West, ujar Farahad mengenai pernikahannya, dalam artikel New York Times di atas. Yang dijelaskannya dengan “The slow discovery of another person and the unraveling of layers of mystery are part of the fun of arranged marriage.”
***
Sebagai pembaca awam, saya kerap berpikir alangkah sulitnya menerjemahkan suatu puisi berrima ataupun lirik lagu bahasa asing menjadi bahasa Indonesia. Tak hanya perlu kosakata yang kaya, namun juga ‘feel’ yang tepat untuk merangkaikannya.
Dan saya sungguh kagum pada kemampuan penerjemah dan editor untuk mengalihkan gagasan dari sejumlah lirik lagu dalam buku yang telah diterjemahkan dalam delapan bahasa ini. Favorit saya adalah di halaman 431:
“Pergilah, putriku, ke rumah barumu, dengan restu ayahanda:
Semoga kau tak terus ingat aku, agar duka tak pernah melanda.
Kubesarkan kau bagai bunga yang rapuh, merekah wangi di taman kami,
Semoga mulai sekarang hanya ada musim semi.
Semoga kau tak terus ingat aku, agar duka tak pernah melanda.
Pergilah, putriku, ke rumah barumu, dengan restu ayahanda.”
Ah, membaca ini sungguh membuat saya berlinang air mata, terkenang hari pernikahan saya dua tahun lalu. Salut.
***
Seperti banyak pembaca pada umumnya, saya juga kerap terpikat pada sampul. Dan sampul Biro Jodoh Khusus Kaum Elite ini sungguh-sungguh mencuri hati saya. Mulai dari detil karakter pasangan pria dan wanitanya yang sungguh-sungguh mirip dengan bayangan saya saat membaca buku ini, detil sulur bunga yang pas, sampai warna yang kalem. Saya tidak pandai menggambar ataupun mendesain sampul buku memang, tapi kesan keseluruhan saya dari sampul ini adalah: budaya India yang anggun dan berkelas, pas dengan judulnya.
***
Secara pribadi, membaca buku ini membuat saya merenungkan banyak hal dalam pernikahan. “Berdasarkan pengalaman, Mr Ali tahu bahwa cinta romantis ini hanya akan bertahan beberapa tahun dan mereka harus mencari jalan lain untuk langgeng seumur hidup” (halaman 440).
Seperti yang ditulis Iris Krasnow dalam Surrendering to Marriage: Husbands, Wives, and other Imperfections: “Here’s what I’ve learned after twelve years with Chuck: I did not marry the wrong person; there’s plenty of hate that comes with love; and although I wish I didn’t have to try so hard to make my marriage work, I know that I do. Everybody does.”
Begitu pulakah dengan Farahad?
Dalam artikel NY Times di atas, Farahad berujar “What I am sure about is that our marriage, arranged with other considerations in mind, took us from acquaintance to love and kept us together until we realized that our differences are the yin and yang that make our relationship whole. Now we consider ourselves absolutely perfect for each other. Somewhere in that is a lesson, I am sure.”
***
Salah satu bentuk ikhtiar yang diyakini Mr Ali, seorang pensiunan Muslim di India, adalah dengan membuka biro jodoh. Dengan memanfaatkan ruang iklan surat kabar, setumpuk kartu pos, dan beranda rumahnya sebagai kantor, Mr Ali membuka Biro Jodoh Ali untuk Kaum Elite, yang menyediakan jasanya untuk aneka kalangan, seperti: Muslim, Hindu, dan Kristen.
Cara kerja Mr Ali adalah dengan memasang suatu iklan kliennya di surat kabar—yang umumnya ditulis tanpa nama. Iklan dari klien pertama Mr Ali misalnya, berbunyi: “Baliga Kapu, gaji enam digit, harta delapan digit mencari calon istri yang cantik dari kasta yang sama..” Setelah menerima surat dari pelamar yang berminat, Mr Ali akan menyimpan data pelamar tersebut secara sistematis dalam berkas dokumen kantornya. Kemudian, Mr Ali akan membalas surat si pelamar dan mengajaknya bergabung di Biro Jodoh Ali agar mendapatkan lebih banyak pilihan.
Data para pelamar yang memenuhi kriteria klien akan disampaikan Mr Ali pada si klien. Jika si klien dan keluarganya berminat, tahap perkenalan dan lamaran akan dilakukan mereka sendiri, tanpa campur tangan Mr Ali.
Meski pekerjaan Biro Jodoh ini terkesan demikian administratif, Mr Ali juga selalu menemui tantangan dalam bentuk yang beragam. Mulai dari seorang klien yang kemampuan komunikasi interpersonalnya kurang sehingga kurang mampu mempromosikan dirinya sendiri, klien yang menginginkan calon mempelai pria yang bertubuh tinggi, klien yang telah bercerai, atau bahkan klien yang demikian sempurnanya sampai-sampai Aruna, asisten Mr Ali, bertanya-tanya, kenapa si klien sempurna ini masih memerlukan biro jodoh untuk mencari calon pengantinnya.
Di sinilah berperan kematangan emosi dan kecakapan keterampilan komunikasi Mr Ali sebagai pemilik Biro Jodoh. Sebagai orangtua yang telah makan asam garam dalam hidup dan pernikahan, Mr Ali juga kerap memberikan wejangan menyejukkan, yang juga saya camkan sebagai bahan pelajaran dalam pernikahan. Seperti: “Pernikahan itu soal kompromi. Kehidupan perkawinan adalah anugerah terbesar kalau kau mau berkompromi,” (hal 354-355).
Juga di hal 372: “Akan timbul konflik antara orangtuamu, terutama ibumu dan istrimu. Bagaimanapun dia memasuki rumah tangga yang sudah mapan dan mungkin terkesan mengacaukannya. Selain itu, orangtuamu bisa merasa tak nyaman. Mereka mungkin merasa kehilangan anak dan menyerahkannya pada perempuan asing ini. Kau tak boleh membutakan diri dari konflik seperti ini. Kau harus bersikap tegas pada masalah-masalah ini, tidak selalu berpihak pada istrimu, tapi juga tak selalu mendukung orangtuamu. Kau boleh mengharapkan istrimu mengubah beberapa hal…Tapi kau pun harus memberitahu orangtuamu bahwa beberapa hal akan sangat berbeda dengan adanya menantu perempuan di rumah. Istrimu harus tahu ketika kau membicarakan ini dengan orangtuamu, jangan sampai dia merasa terabaikan dan seorang diri seolah tak ada yang membelanya di dunia ini. Ini tugas berat. Seorang pria mungkin merasa terjepit di antara kewajiban sebagai anak dan suami. Tapi tak ada yang pernah bilang bahwa menjadi laki-laki itu mudah.”
***
Sepanjang membaca buku ini, saya bertanya-tanya, apakah sang penulis, Farahad Zama juga dijodohkan. Jawabannya saya temukan dalam suatu artikel di New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fas...).
Dalam artikel dua halaman yang terbit pada 5 Juni 2009 ini, Farahad bertutur tentang perjodohannya dengan Sameera. Dua puluh satu tahun yang lalu, Farahad tengah berlibur di rumah keluarganya di India Selatan. Saat itu, sang ibu bertanya “What kind of girl do you want to marry?”
Usai Farahad menjawab bahwa ia menginginkan “a college graduate who could speak English”, orangtuanya segera mengatur pertemuannya dengan Sameera. Hanya dalam tempo dua bulan setelah pertemuan pertamanya dengan Sameera, mereka menikah. Bersama Sameera dan dua jagoan kecilnya, kini mereka tinggal di London.
“How could you marry somebody you did not know?” is a common question that many people have asked us in the West, ujar Farahad mengenai pernikahannya, dalam artikel New York Times di atas. Yang dijelaskannya dengan “The slow discovery of another person and the unraveling of layers of mystery are part of the fun of arranged marriage.”
***
Sebagai pembaca awam, saya kerap berpikir alangkah sulitnya menerjemahkan suatu puisi berrima ataupun lirik lagu bahasa asing menjadi bahasa Indonesia. Tak hanya perlu kosakata yang kaya, namun juga ‘feel’ yang tepat untuk merangkaikannya.
Dan saya sungguh kagum pada kemampuan penerjemah dan editor untuk mengalihkan gagasan dari sejumlah lirik lagu dalam buku yang telah diterjemahkan dalam delapan bahasa ini. Favorit saya adalah di halaman 431:
“Pergilah, putriku, ke rumah barumu, dengan restu ayahanda:
Semoga kau tak terus ingat aku, agar duka tak pernah melanda.
Kubesarkan kau bagai bunga yang rapuh, merekah wangi di taman kami,
Semoga mulai sekarang hanya ada musim semi.
Semoga kau tak terus ingat aku, agar duka tak pernah melanda.
Pergilah, putriku, ke rumah barumu, dengan restu ayahanda.”
Ah, membaca ini sungguh membuat saya berlinang air mata, terkenang hari pernikahan saya dua tahun lalu. Salut.
***
Seperti banyak pembaca pada umumnya, saya juga kerap terpikat pada sampul. Dan sampul Biro Jodoh Khusus Kaum Elite ini sungguh-sungguh mencuri hati saya. Mulai dari detil karakter pasangan pria dan wanitanya yang sungguh-sungguh mirip dengan bayangan saya saat membaca buku ini, detil sulur bunga yang pas, sampai warna yang kalem. Saya tidak pandai menggambar ataupun mendesain sampul buku memang, tapi kesan keseluruhan saya dari sampul ini adalah: budaya India yang anggun dan berkelas, pas dengan judulnya.
***
Secara pribadi, membaca buku ini membuat saya merenungkan banyak hal dalam pernikahan. “Berdasarkan pengalaman, Mr Ali tahu bahwa cinta romantis ini hanya akan bertahan beberapa tahun dan mereka harus mencari jalan lain untuk langgeng seumur hidup” (halaman 440).
Seperti yang ditulis Iris Krasnow dalam Surrendering to Marriage: Husbands, Wives, and other Imperfections: “Here’s what I’ve learned after twelve years with Chuck: I did not marry the wrong person; there’s plenty of hate that comes with love; and although I wish I didn’t have to try so hard to make my marriage work, I know that I do. Everybody does.”
Begitu pulakah dengan Farahad?
Dalam artikel NY Times di atas, Farahad berujar “What I am sure about is that our marriage, arranged with other considerations in mind, took us from acquaintance to love and kept us together until we realized that our differences are the yin and yang that make our relationship whole. Now we consider ourselves absolutely perfect for each other. Somewhere in that is a lesson, I am sure.”
***
July 26, 2017
Totally reminded me of Alexander McCall's No 1 Ladies Dectective Agency. Simle story, mildly engaging. And while I didn't love it, I can see its merrits especially as being a fantastic book group read. Lots of fun topics to discuss about culture, love, marriage and women's roles.
February 8, 2025
A story about ordinary people woes, marriages, day to day struggles. Enjoyed reading it, though I know reality is different from fiction.
February 24, 2024
I loved this book so much!! Besides the fun and beautiful story, I loved learning more about Indian culture and how it is changing in modern times. I’ve had fun conversations with my coworkers about the things I’ve learned from this book.
August 6, 2025
Bookopoly - Favorite color on the cover
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