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Arranged Marriage : Stories
Arranged Marriage Stories
Author: Chitra Divakaruni
Although Chitra Divakaruni's poetry has won praise and awards for many years, it is her "luminous, exquisitely crafted prose" (Ms.) that is quickly making her one of the brightest rising stars in the changing face of American literature. Arranged Marriage, her first collection of stories, spent five weeks on the San Francisco Ch...  more » bestseller list and garnered critical acclaim that would have been extraordinary for even a more established author.For the young girls and women brought to life in these stories, the possibility of change, of starting anew, is both as terrifying and filled with promise as the ocean that separates them from their homes in India. From the story of a young bride whose fairy-tale vision of California is shattered when her husband is murdered and she must face the future on her own, to a proud middle-aged divorced woman determined to succeed in San Francisco, Divakaruni's award-winning poetry fuses here with prose for the first time to create eleven devastating portraits of women on the verge of an unforgettable transformation.
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ISBN-13: 9780385483506
ISBN-10: 0385483503
Publication Date: 5/1/1996
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 35

4 stars, based on 35 ratings
Publisher: Anchor
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

njmom3 avatar reviewed Arranged Marriage : Stories on + 1361 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book is a collection of 11 short stories - each one dealing with a serious issue - such as infidelity, divorce, the immigrant experience, putting our relationship in front of our own selves, children - all set within the context of Indian culture. Because they were short stories, they presented vignettes. For most of them, I wanted to know what happened before or after. I suppose that is also the sign of a good story.

The stories were presented as a commentary on Indian society and the role/rights of women. However, many of the issues transcended culture and could occur in different contexts. The issues may be bigger or exacerbated by cultural traditions. However, they do exist outside of that cultural context as well.

The only other thing I wish is that some of the stories had presented the joy that can be found in relationships and in some cultural traditions. That would have rounded out the stories of sadness and struggle.
reviewed Arranged Marriage : Stories on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Captivating inside view of challenges of integration of cultural difference in ethnically diverse US living situations. The internal emotions and external exhibition of the barriers and bridges.

Very good read.
PBSmaven avatar reviewed Arranged Marriage : Stories on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Beautiful and poignant short stories about Indian marriages. Riveting. I read it in less the a day, I couldn't put it down.
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CocoCee avatar reviewed Arranged Marriage : Stories on + 404 more book reviews
After reading three thriller/action novels, this was a nice break! Beautifully written short stories about Indian women and their relationships. Quick read (I knocked it out in a day).


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