Book Review: ‘Marriage of Love’ by Monica Ali

When my current husband and I announced we were getting married, my uncle called to offer congratulations and wisdom. “Remember,” he said, “marriage is a union of families, not just two people.” At the time, I didn’t find the concept terribly romantic. I was looking for more of a Pablo Neruda vibe (“without me or you in it,/so sincere your hand on my chest is mine, so sincere/your eyes close when I fall asleep”). I understand that corporate speech may be valid for other weddings, but not for ours, thank you very much.

Twenty years and many family dinners and holiday talks later, when I read Monica Ali’s fifth novel, I remembered my uncle’s prediction. LOVE MARRIAGE (Scribner, 419 p., $27.99). This sprawling buffet of one story begins with the meeting of two families whose adult children—both seemingly mature and generally sane—marry each other. The highly organized breadcrumb (or rather, the curry scoop) will take place in the luxurious London home of the groom’s mother, Harriet Sangster. In this setting, engaged couple Yasmin and Joe instantly lose their attention to their parents, who are such vivid characters that they almost waltz off the page to give readers their historic rescue cards.

But let’s not go beyond ourselves: we are talking about a complex merger. On one side is Harriet, an outspoken feminist known for her polygamous pursuits and candid portraits (imagine a cross between Erica Jong and Gloria Steinem); Joe’s father is mostly out of the picture. On the other side are Yasmin’s parents: Shaokat, a doctor who is extremely proud of her daughter for following in her footsteps (unlike her professional brother Arif); and Anisah, a soap opera buff who places great emphasis on the home arts. The Ghorami come from opposite backgrounds – “the people’s Calcutta girl and the poor but smart peasant boy.” According to family knowledge, destiny brought them together.

The meeting, which Yasmin hopes Harriet won’t mention about her latest project (a book with interviews with men about their penises, accompanied by “eroticized” photos) and Anisah pushes for a more religious ceremony than that project, couldn’t be more eerie. was on the mind of the couple. You can cut the awkwardness with a scalpel. But what happens next makes Harriet’s condescending dreams about her time in India downright subtle.

Ali’s opening salvo is just the beginning of a barrage of secrets, missed connections, and infidelities that not only threaten to topple Yasmin and Joe’s alliance, but also force them to look at the worlds they came from with new eyes. I began to care deeply about this flawed couple, whose destinies Ali emerged with obvious joy and poetic touch. (Her first novel, “brick strip“he was a critical darling, but my personal favorite of his books”untold story”, a reimagining of Princess Diana’s life.) New alliances are forming. Another family is forming. Professional commitments are changing. I’m tap dancing among a dozen spoilers here – suffice to say, many subplots (sometimes too much) and embarrassment of characters (some easier to follow than others). But somehow, chaos is part of the fun, like a noisy wedding where everyone falls on the dance floor.