A Good Indian Wife: A Novel

An Interesting Peek Into Another Culture

I found the story well paced and so absorbing I read it straight through over a weekend. The characters were believable most of the time (the doctor's mistress was a bit over the top). I was able to keep up with the protagonists's way of thinking. What I enjoyed as much as the plot was the look inside a culture that I would otherwise have no way of experiencing and knowing. It removed some of my biases, but may have inadvertently reinforced others. The author did an excellent job with this book. It was a pleasant surprise to discover it just by browsing in the bookstore.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Escape

This book was a very intriguing read. It took 10-20 pages to get into the story, but once I did, I did not want to put the book down. I could have finished the night before, but I held off wanting to save the ending for when I could enjoy it. And I didn't want the story to end. Also good for people who like reading about different cultures.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A good read.

Entertaining. I have Indian friends who have had arranged marriages. It was an interesting insight into Indian culture. Good character developement.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ending, what ending? Dont be fooled by the sample!

The sample leads you into thinking it will get better, but it really doesnt. The pace and descriptions are the same throughout the book. You wont get too much and will definately be disappointed with the ending. Dont waste your money. If you really want to read, i will lend/share it.
First, it was a story that kept you wanting to read more. Although, there were times i skipped parts that didnt seem too interesting, especially the times when the charcters would go back to their past.
Second, some characters and events that took place got lost. It leaves a lot of questions. What happened to her friend, rekha? Her job, her stories, her sisters marriage? Their marriage still needed some more romance and such. It seemed to formal and just hit the surface.
Last, i felt the end was abrupt and unfinshed. It seemed the author might have gotten tired and bored of the story and didnt want to go on further.
I thought since it was given four stars that it would be a great read. I have read so much better, the sultans harem, the twentieth wife, the red tent, which have so much more deep insights and descriptions.
If you want to get a glimpse of some of the culture and traditions of India and the struggles some foriegners face when living in another country, then this book might give you just that.
However, i felt this book left more to desire. It lacked in a few places.Its not worth the one nighter, and it could easily have been a short story than a novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it!

This book was on my wish list for months and past it over a few times....why, why, why??? This is a beautiful story, well written and I could not let go of it. It is romantic and lovely. This is the kind of story that everyone should read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

loved this book

This was a fascinating book, well written and easy to read. I hope to see a sequel with Leila and Neel, but anything by this author will do.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enchanting

Leila is the woman every woman would want to be. Passionate loving and true to herself - not without the realistic emotions. Loved this book and I hope that the author will bring Leila to life agan in a sequel

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

So good!

This book was wonderful. So well written that it grabbed me from the first page and I couldn't put it down. It gives outsiders an inside look at Indian families and an arranged marriage and cultueal differences. So good!

Highly Recommended

Great book loved it!!

book

this book was awesome!

Amazing! Must read again and again..Great for discussion.

Don't know if I have words to describe this book more than to say I loved it and will surely read it again and again and highly recommend it to others happily. The author is truly talented in introducing us to and almost making Leila and Suneel a part of our very own family. How intriguing to read about the difference in cultures and personalities only to discover that it really is only just a difference in location because the characters we all know and love are alive and thriving in this book. In some little ways we have all been Leila, Suneel, poor ridiculous/dangerous Caroline and bits of so many other characters in the book. It's really a book about women, love and finding onces place in the world isn't a location but the place in our own hearts. Must read. Absolutly loved this book.

One of the best books I've ever read

I couldn't put it down.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it from start to finish

This book got my attention the first page and I couldn't put it down. I even liked the ending. It is well written and the charachters are developed. I really liked Leila's character. I'm an avid reader and this one is a favorite!

predictable but good

not a bad read, but not for everybody. predictable plot and at times a little dry, but still entertaining and worth finishing.

Great read!

This book is good to learn about another culture and their traditions. I like books like this. It helps to understand other people better.

Interesting Read

The book was an interesting read, though somewhat predictable and far-fetched.

Great Book

This was a great love story for people that don't like love stories. I read the book in two day. Overall very enlightening and informative. A great read.

Right idea, not developed as much as the developing country.

Okay for first time readers of life in India as it unfolds.

Charming book

Straight forward easy read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

What a lovely book!

The story was so engaging and thought-provoking. As a non-Indian married to an Indian man, I was familiar with the idea of an arranged marriage and emotions and preparations that accompany it. The characters, their emotions, thoughts and actions were described in a way that everyone, regardless of their level of familiarity with Indian culture and its layers, was able to relate to the mother, daughter, wife in this intriguing story. I loved the book and will share it with my family members, those Indian and those not so Indian :-)
~Zeljka