The Rules of Arrangement -Anisha Bhatia - 4.5 stars rounded down

[Booknblues]

I must say that I absolutely loved reading The Rules of Arrangement. It was fun, snarky and sweet all at once and was such a wonderful palate cleanser from the entirely to serious and scholarly nonfiction I had just read about India.

Zoya is an intelligent, funny, chubby 26 year old who lives with her parents in Mumbai. She was determined to complete her education and now she has a job which she loves. Twenty-six is considered quite old for an unmarried woman and so her mother enlists a favorite aunt to help arrange marriage for her and hence, the rules of arrangement.

We quickly get to know Zoya and all of her faults, one of which is her love for food and unfortunately it shows. Meeting her first boy on the marriage mart she is dressed quite tightly and says:

"Maybe I could sneak in one peda? Maybe not, in case I burst out of this dress in my underwear, much like a paunchy, gone-to-seed Superman. But I’m so hungry."

I adore Zoya and I loved her story and the insight I gained in reading this.

[Booknblues]

I wanted to recommend this book for all the foodies on PBT. As Zoya loves food and talks about it quite a bit in the book.

A few of the foods mentioned are pav bhaji, vada pav, and paratha stuffed with potatoes

I did a search for some recipes while reading the book:
https://www.cookwithmanali.com/pav-bh...
https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/vad...

https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/...

[Holly R W]

I like Indian food and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Many years ago, I became friends with an Indian woman at graduate school. She wanted both to experience living in the U.S., AND to escape being matched with a man for marriage by her family.

Escape she did. As it turned out, I introduced her to her now-husband, an American. They've had a long and happy marriage here.

[Booknblues]

Holly R W wrote: "I like Indian food and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Many years ago, I became friends with an Indian woman at graduate school. She wanted both to experience living in the U.S., AND ..."

I wouldn't be surprised if this was the author's story as well. She had quite a bit to say about arranged marriages.

"But, you know, names are changed after marriage, it is a ritual in all weddings,” pacifies the aunt. “We can choose a nice new name for Puneet’s bride.” My hands are suddenly cold and my mouth tastes sour. So it begins. Name change, life change, job change; from almost Director of Projects to director of household, cooking, cleaning, and a full-time supervisor of maids. And before you know it, you are a complete stranger to yourself."

and
"Burning her paintings, crushing her heart wasn’t enough. They’re still doing it after all these years. Until today. And who are they? No one but us. They are us. We are they. We restrain and restrict and control in the name of traditions and values. But what is the price?"
"

[Holly R W]

That's a searing excerpt. My friend felt strongly enough about it to run all the way to the U.S. to escape being married off like this. That was over 40 years ago.

[Booknblues]

Holly R W wrote: "That's a searing excerpt. My friend felt strongly enough about it to run all the way to the U.S. to escape being married off like this. That was over 40 years ago."

Good for her!