For Matrimonial Purposes

For Matrimonial Purposes
Kavita Daswani

Spirited, elegant, fun, with an enchanting authorial voice, For Matrimonial Purposes is a remarkable achievement, an original in the contemporary women’s market.The main character, Anju, born and raised in Bombay, is now a fashion journalist in New York. But twinned with her enjoyment of the American scene, her single, glamorous life and the fashion perks it brings, is her determination to remain true to her Indian roots and her love of her extensive family.Marriage is the most important role for an Indian woman, and arranged marriages are still the custom: ‘I am not working for your happiness, but for you to be married,’ says Anju’s mother. Anju is 30, old in Indian terms, and her mother and aunt fear that her independent ways might make her less acceptable to other family’s eyes. They set about organising possible contacts in their home town, Bombay. But now a prospective bride or groom, or their families, can decline the suggested marriage after a meeting.For Matrimonial Purposes is the hilarious, poignant, loving story of Anju’s journey, the rare selection of men and their families that she meets, and the choices that she must make while trying to remain true to herself and satisfy her family and tradition.

For Matrimonial Purposes

KAVITA DASWANI

Copyright (#ulink_0a609160-0748-5037-873f-a6ab5a9e2d0d)

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

HarperFiction

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www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/)

Copyright © Kavita Daswani 2003

Kavita Daswani asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Source ISBN: 9780007160587

Ebook Edition © NOVEMBER 2012 ISBN: 9780007387908

Version: 2016-10-03

Dedication (#ulink_3324bdef-916f-59cc-ad56-a81edc6bf995)

To Mummy and Papa,

for teaching me humor and humility.

To Sunita, Ranju, Sanam, Mansha and Sohana,

a family that I am profoundly proud to be a part of.

And especially to my exceptional husband Nissim,

who made me believe that my words have worth, and

our gorgeous son Jahan, who moved me to write as

he lay in my belly. As long as I have you both,

my life is blessed.

Contents

Cover (#u4f415815-9f94-564b-9ae3-f9daf84c35c8)

Title Page (#u196b63ab-fd58-5bad-92d5-6071669eed44)

Copyright (#uafa81386-a7be-5793-9765-5f689d96d4c3)

Dedication (#ub78c41a4-0d02-5831-a37e-cba194088aae)

Part One (#u021e016f-8a55-555c-a3a8-3b5936fe9ad7)

Chapter One (#uf4966fb7-c733-5952-96f6-56f1496f0512)

Chapter Two (#udb5578b5-1c36-508d-ba76-862445dfb393)

Chapter Three (#ud1185edb-0c45-5c41-987d-29a153914d5c)

Part Two (#uce29c1b5-ba22-596d-b24a-f6b7c10fa384)

Chapter Four (#uc936ca4f-17d6-5e3d-8fd1-efa8d87395ba)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Part Three (#litres_trial_promo)