Review of Salt and Pepper
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Bookishlysane N
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Review of Salt and Pepper
[Following is a volunteer review of "Salt and Pepper" by Maria Akhanji.]
Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids by Maria Akhanji is the second book in the Salt and Pepper series. This book revolves around a British Bangladeshi Muslim woman, Ranya, who, to escape from the clutch hold of her older brother’s family, ends up in a loveless and abusive marriage. Ranya’s life in her brother’s home is tiring, and Ranya is subjected to patronizing. A marriage arranged by her brother and his wife seemed to be a perfect solution to seeking an escape. She is married to Fahim, who, in the beginning, seemed to be great. Initially, Ranya was not open to Fahim having conflicting feelings towards him. But with his small gestures of love, Ranya comes to realize that she likes him. The initial awkwardness is gone, and they share humor. When everything seems to be perfect, Ranya is compromising her studies for the never-ending household chores at her in-laws'. Only after it is too late does she realize that she is nothing but a maid to her in-laws.
Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids is a great book because it portrays the marital lives of many Asian women, irrespective of religion. Maria Akhanji doesn’t try to soften the blow where emotions are involved. She incorporates elements such as drama, love, suffering, and hope, and this is what is required to create a good book. The conflicting emotions felt by Ranya are raw and sad. The pent-up anger, the helplessness, and eventually the sadness Ranya feels throughout the book are extremely detailed, making it real.
Because Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids is a spending book, it is important to remember that the lives of all married women in Asia are not the same. It depends on family to family. The culture with which the individual is associated plays a major role in marriage and in the lives of the married couple. I did not find any negative aspects in Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids but would suggest readers have an open mind and suggest not assuming that all Muslim households have the same environment as Ranya’s.
For its rich story and narrative style, I give Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids 4 out of 4 stars. The book is professionally edited, and I have not come across any grammatical or typographical errors.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get familiar with the marital lives of women living in foreign lands. However, before you choose Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids, please be aware that there is some mild profanity. The ease of reading is what makes Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids a fantastic book for readers from Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, but it can also be read by readers from other parts of the world.
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Salt and Pepper
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids by Maria Akhanji is the second book in the Salt and Pepper series. This book revolves around a British Bangladeshi Muslim woman, Ranya, who, to escape from the clutch hold of her older brother’s family, ends up in a loveless and abusive marriage. Ranya’s life in her brother’s home is tiring, and Ranya is subjected to patronizing. A marriage arranged by her brother and his wife seemed to be a perfect solution to seeking an escape. She is married to Fahim, who, in the beginning, seemed to be great. Initially, Ranya was not open to Fahim having conflicting feelings towards him. But with his small gestures of love, Ranya comes to realize that she likes him. The initial awkwardness is gone, and they share humor. When everything seems to be perfect, Ranya is compromising her studies for the never-ending household chores at her in-laws'. Only after it is too late does she realize that she is nothing but a maid to her in-laws.
Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids is a great book because it portrays the marital lives of many Asian women, irrespective of religion. Maria Akhanji doesn’t try to soften the blow where emotions are involved. She incorporates elements such as drama, love, suffering, and hope, and this is what is required to create a good book. The conflicting emotions felt by Ranya are raw and sad. The pent-up anger, the helplessness, and eventually the sadness Ranya feels throughout the book are extremely detailed, making it real.
Because Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids is a spending book, it is important to remember that the lives of all married women in Asia are not the same. It depends on family to family. The culture with which the individual is associated plays a major role in marriage and in the lives of the married couple. I did not find any negative aspects in Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids but would suggest readers have an open mind and suggest not assuming that all Muslim households have the same environment as Ranya’s.
For its rich story and narrative style, I give Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids 4 out of 4 stars. The book is professionally edited, and I have not come across any grammatical or typographical errors.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get familiar with the marital lives of women living in foreign lands. However, before you choose Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids, please be aware that there is some mild profanity. The ease of reading is what makes Salt and Pepper: Bridemaids a fantastic book for readers from Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, but it can also be read by readers from other parts of the world.
******
Salt and Pepper
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Phobia Relief by Kalliope Barlis
