Love Marriage by Monica Ali

I set myself a personal reading challenge to read and review all eight novels on the shortlist for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2023.

When Yasmin Ghorami introduces her mother Anisha to her fiancé Joe’s mother Harriet, it changes all of their lives. Anisha is a conventional Muslim housewife and home-maker, while Harriet is a wealthy white feminist writer who is famous for being outrageous. To Yasmin’s astonishment they instantly hit it off, and their bond becomes closer while they plan the wedding. Meanwhile, the bride finds herself sidelined and is forced to face reality. Love Marriage follows Yasmin’s emotional journey while she re-evaluates her relationship with Joe, the dynamics of the Ghorami family and her career.

Yasmin and Joe are doctors at the same hospital, where her work with geriatric patients is frustrating but he loves delivering babies. Communication between the engaged couple breaks down after worrying gossip about Joe reaches Yasmin’s ears. Her suspicion that she does not satisfy him sexually creates inward turmoil and a longing to improve her performance. Author Monica Ali depicts Yasmin as a clever but confused young woman who tries to please everyone, especially her doctor father Shaokat. When the happiness she believes she deserves eludes her, she becomes angry. As a result she is called ‘out of control’ and accused of having ‘a mean streak’. Meanwhile, the two mothers carry on with their wedding plans, oblivious to what is going on under their noses.

Secrets of one kind or another dominate the plot of Love Marriage. Misunderstanding is the main source of humour, especially when it arises from the meeting of two cultures. The Ghoramis are part of the south London middle class Indian diaspora, whereas Harriet has her roots in the west London intelligentsia. It is only when tragedy threatens that Yasmin finds out the truth about Anisha and Shaokat’s love marriage. That is when she finds the strength to be honest with Joe and, most importantly, herself.

The winner of the Comedy Women in Print Prize will be announced on 17th April. Follow the link below for more details.

https://www.comedywomeninprint.co.uk/2022-prize