Sometimes romance readers, despite being fiercely loyal to
the genre, complain that nothing's new or fresh or
different. If you find yourself feeling this way, look no
further. THE DOWRY BRIDE is all those things.
Megha Ramnath is a relatively new bride. She's been
married for just over a year to Suresh, a less than
average looking, not particularly talented bank manager.
She lives with her husband and her in-laws, which wouldn't
be so bad if her mother-in-law, Amma, hadn't turned her
into the household servant and didn't treat her so
cruelly. But Megha's in no position to complain. Her
family has yet to pay the agreed upon bridal dowry and she
has yet to produce a child, both of which only fuel Amma's
rage toward Megha.
The only member of the Ramnath family to show Megha any
real kindness has been Kiran, Suresh's cousin, and the
much touted golden boy of the family. Kiran is everything
that Suresh is not: handsome, kind, smart, successful,
and well-off. It is to him that Megha turns when she
discovers and narrowly escapes the plot her mother-in-law
and husband have hatched to murder her so that Suresh will
be free to find a more suitable wife.
As Kiran hides and protects Megha, their relationship
blossoms from one of protector and ward into love for one
another. Each tries to fight the adulterous feelings they
share, painfully aware that Megha is still married to
Suresh and that hers is a hurt soul in need of healing.
Shontwal Bantwal opens wide the window into Indian
relationships and customs, revealing the still common
practices of arranged marriages, bridal dowries, and the
more heinous practice of committing physical abuse, if not
murder, against brides deemed less than acceptable. She
has written a sweetly sensual and suspenseful tale of
forbidden love under highly difficult circumstances.
Megha displays a courage borne of necessity, which makes
the reader root for her and desire ill for her mother-in-
law and her husband. Kiran, were it not for the
occasional bout of temper, would nearly be unbelievable,
he's so kind, patient, and loving. Together, they form an
endearing couple.
It took a bit to lose myself in the somewhat passive
prose. Also, the defining phrases included to make sure
readers would understand the Indian words Ms. Bantwal
throws in for authenticity slowed the pace and at times,
were jarring. But once I allowed myself to overlook these
things, I found the story to be quite compelling. The
romance between Kiran and Megha takes an unusual turn at
the end—I won't give it away—which is both a bit
disappointing and refreshing. An odd combination, yes,
but that was how it struck me. Overall, I found THE DOWRY
BRIDE to be an enjoyable read.
One sultry night, a young bride overhears an extraordinary
conversation. The voices speak of a plot to murder a wife
who has failed to produce a child and whose family has
failed to produce the promised dowry...
Megha is sick with horror when she realizes she is the
intended victim. Her husband-the very man who tied the
sacred necklace of marriage around her neck-and his mother
are plotting to kill her! In the moment of panic, she runs
for her life. Frantically racing through Palgaum's deserted
streets, her way lit only by the lights strung up for the
Diwali festival, her single goal is to escape death by fire.
But fleeing from her would-be killers seems
impossible-unless she can find someone to help her...
To approach her best friend would bring scandal to an
innocent woman's doorstep, and turning to her own strict,
conservative family is out of the question. Instead, with
nothing but the sari she wears and a memory of kindness,
Megha finds her way to Kiran, the one man who has shown her
friendship and respect. Hiding her in his apartment, Kiran
becomes her protector. But the forbidden attraction that
grows between them can only bring more danger.
Caught between tradition and the truths buried in her heart,
a dowry bride will discover the real cost of the only things
worth having in life...
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy