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A review by steff_fox
The Set Up by Falguni Kothari
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Okay, so this wasn’t terrible, but I also didn’t love it. It’s a rather quick, rather grating story whose characters are all kind of rude in one way or another (with a few small exceptions) and, specifically for the main characters, never really get the time to grow past the rudeness they start off with. I guess that’s just a hazard of these short audiobooks.
I’m also not to fond of the way Vikas Adam (the male narrator) portrayed Aditi in the dialogue of the main characters’ first date.
In general, though, I have to admit I’m deeply bothered by this idea of families setting their kids up on “dates” thing that keeps occurring in modern Indian stories. It just seems ridiculous to me to posit this idea that parents and grandparents “know better” than the younger generation and therefore are the best people to choose their children and grandchildren’s spouse.
It implies a level of knowledge of a person that I just don’t truly feel anyone other than that person is capable of. I’d I let MY parents set me up with people and choose my future spouse, I would’ve been horrendously miserable.
Now, to be fair, my feelings on this new trope are likely heavily impacted by this truth about my family. And as this is not my culture, I cannot discredit this (and other) story entirely for it. It’s just hard for me to read these sort of stories because they bring about an instant feeling of “ick.” Maybe this is a sign I should steer clear of these books or perhaps it presents a learning opportunity. I’m not entirely sure yet.
All of this said, I do think this new trope is a great move away from all the arranged marriage stuff within the culture. While I’m sure many of these worked for many people, I fully support the push to allow people to choose whether they engage with that tradition or not.
I’m also not to fond of the way Vikas Adam (the male narrator) portrayed Aditi in the dialogue of the main characters’ first date.
In general, though, I have to admit I’m deeply bothered by this idea of families setting their kids up on “dates” thing that keeps occurring in modern Indian stories. It just seems ridiculous to me to posit this idea that parents and grandparents “know better” than the younger generation and therefore are the best people to choose their children and grandchildren’s spouse.
It implies a level of knowledge of a person that I just don’t truly feel anyone other than that person is capable of. I’d I let MY parents set me up with people and choose my future spouse, I would’ve been horrendously miserable.
Now, to be fair, my feelings on this new trope are likely heavily impacted by this truth about my family. And as this is not my culture, I cannot discredit this (and other) story entirely for it. It’s just hard for me to read these sort of stories because they bring about an instant feeling of “ick.” Maybe this is a sign I should steer clear of these books or perhaps it presents a learning opportunity. I’m not entirely sure yet.
All of this said, I do think this new trope is a great move away from all the arranged marriage stuff within the culture. While I’m sure many of these worked for many people, I fully support the push to allow people to choose whether they engage with that tradition or not.