Scan barcode
A review by saarahnina
Love Comes Later by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar
5.0
This book was so very interesting, and my own background as a young Muslim woman (though I'm not Qatari) helped me relate. I can't remember the last time I read a book I could relate, religiously, with. It may have been 'Does my head look big in this?' Written by Randa Abdel-Fattah. Love Comes Later is equally a pleasurable read- it follows the lives of two individuals (Abdulla and Hind), alternating between them, each chapter or so.
Abdulla was arguably the most interesting character in the book. He was a young man mourning the passing of his wife and unborn child, a man burdened by the responsibility to marry again- he's tormented under this pressure. Amd he feels unprepared and seriously unwilling: why take another chance at marriage?
But as young, and as moderate as he may be...He can't escape his family, nor their cultural values. So as much as he tries to delay and hold off any arrangements regarding a future wife, there's not a lot he can do. Of course, when there's no other option, we are forced to relent and make the best of the situation. Abdulla is no different, he honours their values, and agrees to meet a fellow cousin: Hind. Fortunately for him, Hind sets a condition to their engagement: she must be allowed to study at university in England for a year. That means a year away from him- he assents to this, regarding it to be fortunate.
As upsetting as it is to think that she needs his permission at all, I was pleased to find Abdulla willing to comply. It's a shame that not all cultures bless women with the liberty of choosing their own future. Of this, I have first-hand experience: my parents are heavily conservative and traditional in their thoughts of what liberties a woman may be afforded with. It is frustrating to think that the world has not yet completely progressed, in some elements it is just as 'backward' as it had been a century ago- it's just inconspicuous. In this way, I empathised with Hind- her life, in regard to this, is no different to my own. And I had no qualms that she may have only chosen to go to university to escape her impending marriage.
There, at university, she meets a young Indian woman- with liberal, modern values. They get along perfectly, a beautiful friendship between two cultures which are not that different. But a year isn't forever: when awoken by the realisation that she doesn't have much time, to revel in her freedom, left, she takes chances that she wouldn't have otherwise. 'Why not travel unchaperoned with a handsome male stranger?' She thinks. (This is not quoted from the book). But what happens when her fiancé makes his way to visit her, and she's not there? I'll leave you with that- after which, I can vouch that it gets more interesting.
I'm all for a woman's right to exercise her freedom, whichever way she chooses- as 'extreme' as Hide's action undoubtedly was. I'll resent a marriage, just as she did, I was pressured into. I just didn't like her hypocrisy: how could she be angry at her future partner, if they are equally guilty-of the very same crime? Aside from this one flaw in her character, she wasn't hard to like. If you are looking for an entertaining, romantic read of cultural clashes...This book fits the bill.
One of my favourite parts was the dialogue and developing relationship between Abdulla and Sangita (the Indian friend). The wit, and humour in their words is something I crave in most books -and is usually absent with most books- and I was pleased to find that I could smile (in good humour) with this book. I'd have loved there to have been more- much more!
I received this book through NetGalley.
Abdulla was arguably the most interesting character in the book. He was a young man mourning the passing of his wife and unborn child, a man burdened by the responsibility to marry again- he's tormented under this pressure. Amd he feels unprepared and seriously unwilling: why take another chance at marriage?
But as young, and as moderate as he may be...He can't escape his family, nor their cultural values. So as much as he tries to delay and hold off any arrangements regarding a future wife, there's not a lot he can do. Of course, when there's no other option, we are forced to relent and make the best of the situation. Abdulla is no different, he honours their values, and agrees to meet a fellow cousin: Hind. Fortunately for him, Hind sets a condition to their engagement: she must be allowed to study at university in England for a year. That means a year away from him- he assents to this, regarding it to be fortunate.
As upsetting as it is to think that she needs his permission at all, I was pleased to find Abdulla willing to comply. It's a shame that not all cultures bless women with the liberty of choosing their own future. Of this, I have first-hand experience: my parents are heavily conservative and traditional in their thoughts of what liberties a woman may be afforded with. It is frustrating to think that the world has not yet completely progressed, in some elements it is just as 'backward' as it had been a century ago- it's just inconspicuous. In this way, I empathised with Hind- her life, in regard to this, is no different to my own. And I had no qualms that she may have only chosen to go to university to escape her impending marriage.
There, at university, she meets a young Indian woman- with liberal, modern values. They get along perfectly, a beautiful friendship between two cultures which are not that different. But a year isn't forever: when awoken by the realisation that she doesn't have much time, to revel in her freedom, left, she takes chances that she wouldn't have otherwise. 'Why not travel unchaperoned with a handsome male stranger?' She thinks. (This is not quoted from the book). But what happens when her fiancé makes his way to visit her, and she's not there? I'll leave you with that- after which, I can vouch that it gets more interesting.
I'm all for a woman's right to exercise her freedom, whichever way she chooses- as 'extreme' as Hide's action undoubtedly was. I'll resent a marriage, just as she did, I was pressured into. I just didn't like her hypocrisy: how could she be angry at her future partner, if they are equally guilty-of the very same crime? Aside from this one flaw in her character, she wasn't hard to like. If you are looking for an entertaining, romantic read of cultural clashes...This book fits the bill.
One of my favourite parts was the dialogue and developing relationship between Abdulla and Sangita (the Indian friend). The wit, and humour in their words is something I crave in most books -and is usually absent with most books- and I was pleased to find that I could smile (in good humour) with this book. I'd have loved there to have been more- much more!
I received this book through NetGalley.