Read Along: A Suitable Boy

[Tien]

Ebony wrote: " spoiler "

(view spoiler)[Both women though, I think, are driven by the fact that they family is not well-off and the only way to ensure their children's (especially their female children) welfare is to make sure they marry well. Although, it seems that in ASB, times are changing (1951) and women (like Malati who is studying medicine) may seek professions where it was previously all male.

Btw, what do you mean by 'hindrance to her male relatives'? Can't recall which part you're thinking of... (hide spoiler)]

[Ebony]

(view spoiler)[Of course Mrs Bennet and Mrs Mehra are both affected by their times and circumstances, but both also fail to give their female children's identities any consideration in the matter of their husbands. Mrs Bennet would have forced Jane and Bingley together even if Jane did not like him, which she did thankfully. The same could be said for Savita and Pran, an arranged marriage that happens to work out well. Mrs Bennet then attempts to force Lizzy to marry Mr. Collins, but Lizzy refuses. In the same manner, Mrs. Mehra is seen telling Lata rather forcefully that she will marry the person she decides for her, and Lata seems to resist. This is the parallel I see between the two novels, and it can be supposed that Seth would be influenced by Austin, he's spent a great deal of time in England, I suppose whether Lata turns out to be very much like Lizzy we shall have to see.

In terms of male relatives, I was thinking mainly of the meeting with her father, he seemed very unimpressed with her, but he also seems like a generally cranky old man so far! Also at the very end of the wedding, Mrs. Mehra says something to the effect of how alone she is now that Savita is married, even though she lives with her two sons, her daugher-in-law and her grand-daughter, hardly an empty house! Reminded me of the theatrics of Mrs Bennet and I can imagine Arun becoming very exasperated with her much like Mr. Bennet.

(P&P is one of my favourite books, and Ive studied it so many times at uni that my discussions on it are all rather long-winded, sorry!)

(hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Ebony wrote: "... (view spoiler) ..."

Great observation (message 50)! I'd never thought of that, but you're right.

[Susan]

Question about spoilers. Once the date for each section is over, is it ok to post things without spoiler alerts? For example, these messages 50-51-52 are all about things in the first section, which were from last week's section. I'd assumed that once we got to 7/14, it was ok to post about anything up to part 10 without an alert.

[Tien]

I think it's mostly safe to post without spoiler alert although we just have to be aware that some people are behind as they got their books later (like Ebony :))

Am halfway through Part 10, woo hoo, I think that means I've a free weekend to read something else ha ha ha

[Tien]

Ebony wrote: "Of course Mrs Bennet and Mrs Mehra are both affected by their times and circumstances, but both also fail to give their female children's identities any consideration in the matter of their husband..."

I'm hesitant on what to say cuz I'm not sure how far you are into the book but... I think these should be safe:

Interesting comparison between the arranged marriage (Savita & Pan) and the non-arranged marriage (Arun & Meenakshi) although had a lot to do with personalities as well. a bit vague, I know

(view spoiler)[Most arranged marriages in the books seem to have work out well except for Zainab's although the only non-arranged marriage in the book seems to be Arun's and his was a mad-dash affair; it seems to also veering to destruction -it's a time bomb, the way I see it. (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to see who will actually win Lata's hand in marriage (if any) and how she will reach that decision (if she does). Unlike Lizzy though, she hasn't a father to whom she could have close relationship so I think she's a lot more tolerant of her mother although this 'arranged marriage' business is really stretching it for her.

A side comment on Part 9: (view spoiler)[I read this last night and I was a little shocked with the dark side it touched. I was really freaked out too (along with Lata) and was just so very sad for Kiran. I hope that there will be some good outcome even though this wasn't part of the main story. I wasn't that surprised though since Lata mentioned that she seemed to have block her memories for her latest visit there but totally freak out when he was in the room! *ugh!* (hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Finally finished Parts 9 & 10 and can read Tien's spoilers. I found that part really creepy, too.

I was most fascinated in Part 10 not with Maan, but with his tutor -- his role in the village, his frustration with things there, his relationships with his family.

This is clearly at least part of why the book is so long. Seth is willing to take time out from the main store to explore minor/secondary characters in great detail. And I find myself wishing he'd get on with the main story and yet sometimes, also, at the same time thoroughly absorbed in the side-story.

[Tien]

I like Rasheed and Haresh "side-stories" though at the moment, I'm really banging my head against the wall with Part 11. This part should not be read first thing in the morning when I'm just waking up, ha ha ha...

*aergnweiopgrnweubneru* - I've just spoiled myself! Arrrgh, was trying to look at the reading guide questions for discussions and now I know who the "suitable boy" is! :( :( :( Not that it's in any way a surprise for me since I've thought about it last night and only saw 1 possible option, still...

[Susan]

Tien wrote: "I've just spoiled myself! Arrrgh, was trying to look at the reading guide questions for discussions and now I know who the "suitable boy" is! :( :( :( Not that it's in any way a surprise for me since I've thought about it last night and only saw 1 possible option, still... "

I haven't started part 11 yet, so I'm assuming there must be some good clues in it. So far, I have *no* clue who the likely candidate is -- I'm as confused about it all as Lata herself. So don't spill the beans to the rest of us. :)

[Tien]

I won't spill the beans but all I did but assess them all logically and figure out which one is most suitable - it's a very common-sensical approach on my part...

No clues in Part 11, actually.

[Tien]

Finished Part 13;

(view spoiler)[I shouldn't be surprised but I was! I'm talking about Firoz & Maan. Earlier in the book, there was that little incident between the Raj of Marh's son (whatever his name is, can't remember how to spell it) and Maan. I thought it was a bit out-of-the-blue and pointless (aside from highlighting the dissipation of Raj's son). Maan's reaction though, I thought, meant that he's Not into that kind of relationship but now, I'm proven wrong, I'm so confused! I've to say that I'm not at all surprise about Firoz (had an inkling right from the very beginning) but Maan really took me by surprise. (hide spoiler)]

Also, all these politics parts are really confusing me. All the names and who they are totally flew over my head so I just skimmed through those parts... anyone actually got what they were talking about?

One thing I've really enjoyed about this book so far
(view spoiler)[is how Lata tries so hard to stay away from Kabir and to limit their relationship so. It's different from the typical romance novels that the heroine helplessly cannot stay away from the love of her life. Lata is sensibly trying to be open to other things whilst at the same time prevent further future hurt / disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I love reading romance novels too but at the same time, sometimes it drives my sensible shoe bananas (hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Finally (!!!!!) finished Part 13 and could read Tien's spoilers in message 61.

Re first spoiler: (view spoiler)[ Did you read it to mean that we were actually told that Firoz and Maan have had a sexual encounter? If so, it went totally over my head. I assumed they were exceptionally good friends, but hadn't decided whether in a platonic or non-platonic sense. (hide spoiler)]

I'm still not clear who the "sensible" choice (for Lata) would be. I like the poet brother, but can't see how her mother would approve of that option.

The political sections don't do a lot for me, either. But the zamindari system and its abolition, at least, is based in fact. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamindar
But I assume most of the names (excluding Nehru, of course) are fictitious. I loved the sort of tossed-off comment (I even forget who made it) about some time, in the distant future, India having a female prime minister. It wasn't so long at all.

As you can see, I'm rather far behind. Still working on last week's section. A lot of family in town, so long reading times have sort of disappeared for a bit.

[Tien]

Susan wrote: "Re first spoiler: (view spoiler)"

(view spoiler)[I reckon that is exactly what happened! I don't think it's platonic at all... Wasn't there a reference... well, something made me think that they used to be quite active (sexually) together in the 'old days'... (hide spoiler)]

Susan wrote: "I loved the sort of tossed-off comment (I even forget who made it) about some time, in the distant future, India having a female prime minister. It wasn't so long at all."

This novel was published in 1993, book set in 1950s, and Indira Ghandi was in office 1980-1984 so... it might've been an off-side comment but it is based on reality :)

I'm slowing down a lot because I've had to catch up on some review books earlier this week but then my son (well, actually now, the whole house) is sick :(
but... I am up to Part 18 and indecisive about who should be the 'suitable boy' for Lata (even after being spoiled). Well, maybe something else will happen to make that clearer :)

[Tien]

I'm finished! Phew, 1,477 pages later.... ha ha ha

I think I'm so over Indian lit for at least a year (I read Shantaram just before this and that was nearly 1,000 pages)

I'm quite happy with the ending, kinda like Dickensian novel where each characters get their own morally just ending.

Also happy that the reasons behind the 'suitable boy' was presented and the way it was presented.

Wondering who the 'A Suitable Girl' will be about - and for whom! Too bad, it's not for another 2 years!

[Susan]

Whew! Finally finished!

I think I need to let it set a little before I write my review or comment more here. I can't believe it practically monopolized a month of my reading time.

[Susan]

Tien wrote: "Wondering who the 'A Suitable Girl' will be about - and for whom! Too bad, it's not for another 2 years! ."

Doesn't it sound like it'll be a girl for Varun?
But I don't think I'll tackle that one.

[Susan]

I finally got my review written for this. Find it here .