I loved reading this young-adult anthology, based on the ‘wedding season’ of South Asia. The first story itself, ‘The Disaster Wedding’, captivated me with its charming characters, cultural authenticity, and heartwarming message, making it a standout introduction to the anthology. It paints a vibrant picture of an Indian wedding in California through the eyes of Jaanu, the younger sister of the bride. The narrative is rich with cultural nuances and familial dynamics, woven into a tale of superstition, love, and resilience.
At the heart of the story is the family curse, where words spoken in negativity manifest into reality. Jaanu's inadvertent utterance, "This is going to be a disaster," sets the stage for a series of near-catastrophic mishaps throughout her sister Priti's wedding festivities. Despite her best efforts to counteract the curse, Jaanu finds herself grappling with the fear of impending doom at every turn.
The days leading up to the wedding are filled with traditional ceremonies like the mehndi ceremony and dance nights, each punctuated by its own set of challenges. The looming threat of Priti's missing wedding dress serves as a recurring obstacle, amplifying Jaanu's anxiety about the event's success.
Amidst the chaos, Jaanu's burgeoning friendship with Damian, a fellow college student, adds a layer of sweetness to the narrative. Their initial friction evolves into a heartwarming bond, hinting at the possibility of romance in the future.
Despite the setbacks, the wedding unfolds seamlessly, with guests blissfully unaware of the behind-the-scenes drama. The mysterious appearance of an auntie delivering Priti's dress underscores the theme of unseen forces at play, adding an element of magical realism to the story. Through Jaanu's journey, readers are reminded of the importance of belief in oneself and the resilience of love in overcoming obstacles.
"My Big Fat Desi Wedding" is a delightful exploration of family, tradition, and the power of positivity amidst adversity. Loved it!
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Each story is full of life!
I love Desi weddings and I love anthologies, so two of my favorite things put together is double the love! What made this collection of Desi wedding stories even better was that two of the stories had magic! Fate’s Favorites, by Tashie Bhuiyan, had magical realism in the form of soulmarks, words that appear on a person’s body in regards to their soulmate. This was such a unique form of magic and the fact it was placed unobtrusively in a real-world setting was a lovely bit of juxtaposition.The last story, A Very Bloody Kalyanam by Anahita Karthik, was about my favorite of all magical beings: vampires! I’ll read any vampire story, but this South Asian take on vampire lore was new to me, which made it even more interesting and exciting–I’d read a whole book on that!I was also really excited to read my first story by Sarah Mughal Rana as I was approved for her upcoming debut Hope Ablaze, so getting a little taste of her writing before diving into a book-length work was a nice treat. And speaking of flavor and treats, her story, A Wedding Recipe for Disaster, made me crave Pakistani food! Her story also stood out in that it brought the drama–not that the other stories didn’t have drama, since love is drama, but Sarah’s story had a touch of heartache too, which brought higher stakes!Overall, each and every one of these stories was vibrant; full of color, culture, family, food, and, of course, love! I had a wonderful time reading this collection and would love to read more like it! Five stars!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
I love Desi weddings and I love anthologies, so two of my favorite things put together is double the love! What made this collection of Desi wedding stories even better was that two of the stories had magic! Fate’s Favorites, by Tashie Bhuiyan, had magical realism in the form of soulmarks, words that appear on a person’s body in regards to their soulmate. This was such a unique form of magic and the fact it was placed unobtrusively in a real-world setting was a lovely bit of juxtaposition.
The last story, A Very Bloody Kalyanam by Anahita Karthik, was about my favorite of all magical beings: vampires! I’ll read any vampire story, but this South Asian take on vampire lore was new to me, which made it even more interesting and exciting–I’d read a whole book on that!
I was also really excited to read my first story by Sarah Mughal Rana as I was approved for her upcoming debut Hope Ablaze, so getting a little taste of her writing before diving into a book-length work was a nice treat. And speaking of flavor and treats, her story, A Wedding Recipe for Disaster, made me crave Pakistani food! Her story also stood out in that it brought the drama–not that the other stories didn’t have drama, since love is drama, but Sarah’s story had a touch of heartache too, which brought higher stakes!
Overall, each and every one of these stories was vibrant; full of color, culture, family, food, and, of course, love! I had a wonderful time reading this collection and would love to read more like it! Five stars!
The last story, A Very Bloody Kalyanam by Anahita Karthik, was about my favorite of all magical beings: vampires! I’ll read any vampire story, but this South Asian take on vampire lore was new to me, which made it even more interesting and exciting–I’d read a whole book on that!
I was also really excited to read my first story by Sarah Mughal Rana as I was approved for her upcoming debut Hope Ablaze, so getting a little taste of her writing before diving into a book-length work was a nice treat. And speaking of flavor and treats, her story, A Wedding Recipe for Disaster, made me crave Pakistani food! Her story also stood out in that it brought the drama–not that the other stories didn’t have drama, since love is drama, but Sarah’s story had a touch of heartache too, which brought higher stakes!
Overall, each and every one of these stories was vibrant; full of color, culture, family, food, and, of course, love! I had a wonderful time reading this collection and would love to read more like it! Five stars!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
