The Marriage Bureau of Rich People - Farahad Zama

Here goes the first review of my Julie Julia Project. The cover of the book, makes it look like a pick-me-up-first and what lies inside does not disappoint you either. Mr. Zama's writing is absolutely lucid and the fact that I read it in 5 hours flat is testament enough. 

So the story revolves, as suggested by the title, about a marriage bureau started by a retired man Mr. Ali in Vizag. Slowly and steadily the business grows, along with it's popularity among the people in the city. With the increase in clientele it becomes imperative on Mr. Ali to hire an assistant and in comes Aruna, a simple Brahmin girl, and the sole bread winner for her family. Romance blossoms and there is hardly any tragedy to talk about really. The book takes you back to a time when life was all good, people were nicer or probably people in small towns/cities are better than the ones in metropolitans. What keeps the book engaging is the description of the milieu which is almost Ruskin Bond like and not once do you get bored by the description of the different clients of the bureau, which I thought would have gotten repetitive. They are given just the right amount of screen space as is required. It is a very feel good book and is more about how good things happen to good people. It of course has it's philosophical moments when Mr. Ali in some parts talking about how almost all religions are the same at the very essence and yet different in custom and when the Alis gives out some of the most sound advises about married life to Aruna and others in the story. Clearly a couple who have seen life and have weathered quiet a few storms together. 

All in all, the book makes for a light read except that I could have done with a little more tragedy. It is the first in the series written by Mr. Zama - the next in line being "The Many Conditions of Love" , which takes the story forward and has an equally delightful cover. Although I really don't know if I would pick up it up just immediately. The first book does not leave you with anticipation for what is going to happen next in the story. So probably one fine day when I am in the mood to buy books I might buy the next one. 

Next stop Manu Joseph's "The Illicit Happiness of Other People".