The Village Bride of Beverly Hills

by Kavita Daswani

Book Overview

The author of the "enchanting" and "delightful" ( USA Today ) debut novel For Matrimonial Purposes returns with a romantic comedy about a new bride leading a secret double life. After an arranged marriage in her native India, Priya moves with her husband to California, where they share a house with his parents. Playing the traditional daughter-in-law role, she's expected to clean, cook, and--because she doesn't immediately get pregnant--find a job...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452286565
• ISBN13: 9780452286566
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

omg!! This book is amazing.

I loved it

I am not from India, and I loved this book so much. I could not put it down. I laughed, and cried. The author is outstanding.

A great read.

I am not much of a novel reader. But just the title of the book enchanted me. Just the title reminded me of myself - a village bride; educated, yet subdued by traditional believes and customs; educated yet afraid to expose those knowledge. The author has written it with simplicity, humor, and a touch of suspense, which gave me the enthusiasm to read it in almost one sit. I liked her courage to stand up until her husband realized the true meaning of marriage - it is not one subduing the other; it is not one giving `permission' to the other; marriage is indeed sharing, respecting and giving the space for each other. I liked the way Priya did not fall for the roses, rosy words, nor the diamond ring. When Priya picked up and went back to India, it sunk my heart. I was so angry with her as I usually am angry with women who are so smart and intelligent but yet break down and fall apart to `keep up with stupid family traditions'. The part that was unbelievable for me was how Priya could keep the salary from her husband. In Indian marriages, in general, it is the husband who takes the paycheck from his wife and banks it. Priya, especially the Village bride that she claims she was, being under the control of her in-laws, how did she manage to do that? Also when she went back to her parents, it was especially her grandmother who supported her and stood up against Sanjay from taking her back. Normally, a family of such `village' tradition would encourage their daughter to obey and just follow and do whatever their husband tells them, even if the `jerk' abused her physically and mentally. Having brought up in a traditional family - village girl - these things were unbelievable. Anyway, it is a novel. So I guess I can't ask too many questions. But it indeed was a great read. I would recommend this book not as a novel but as an inspirational book for the many `Village Brides' to come out and stand up for what they believed and be themselves. The Author did a great job.

Great Read!!

This was the first time I've ever read ANY book so fast book. It was an excellent read. You won't want to put it down because you'll want to turn every page to see what happens next. The characters and story seem so real! Read this book at your earliest opportunity.

DON'T MISS THIS BOOK!!

Absolutely Fabulous. Finished it in one reading. Wished book would never end. Truly a "feel good" book! Don't miss it.

Improbable, yes -- but it could happen! P

Following an arranged marriage to a handsome, likable man, Priya leaves India for Los Angeles. Although she's a college graduate, she's been raised to be a good stay-at-home wife. Living with her in-laws, Priya finds herself stifled. She spends hours helping with cooking and cieaning, and she's expected to be humble and respectful with her husband's parents. Luckily Priya's mother-in-law encourages her to take a job. She lands a spot as receptionist to a top Hollywood news magazine. Continuing to be humble and polite beyond Hollywood standards, Priya befriends a coworker who teaches her how to dress. Unfortunately, she has to sneak to her gym to change clothes, because her mother-in-law forbids dressing western-style...except in some old clothes that are beyond vintage and retro. Because Priya says yes to everything, she gets asked to do all sorts of work for the reporters. Her lucky break comes when she interviews a big star. She does such a great job that she gets promoted fast. Now her home life gets even more tense. Her husband refuses any kind of counseling. Priya makes her escape and ...well, it's a romance! Although Priya's rapid rise is hardly typical, it's not impossible. As a career consultant, I've learned that someone who is young, humble and non-threatening can often rise faster than someone who carefully strategizes. And I'm convinced that, as the saying goes, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Village Bride is a light-hearted book. I Don't Know How She Does It and Revenge of the Middle-Aged Housewife meets Bend it like Beckham and Monsoon Wedding. Enjoyable on its own unpretentious terms. . Priya is delightful as a young woman who's not ready to ditch tradition but who's no longer willing to be subordinate to her husband. I empathized with her fear of merging on the freeway -- I felt the same way when I learned to drive in California! Curl up with this book on a cold fall day or pack it in your bag for a long airplane flight.