The Marriage Bureau for Rich People - Farahad Zama

The book’s title sums it up well. There’s no great dramatic drive to Farahad Zama’s novel, it’s simply about the fortunes and misfortunes of the staff and clients of Mr Ali’s Marriage Bureau, set up by the old man in his retirement to do his best to find the ideal matches for his clients. Within that however there is a wealth of riches in the colourful characterisation and descriptions of tradition and customs, all delivered in lovely, clear prose.

The conflict in the novel comes then from its characters attempt to preserve the spirit and meaning of tradition, particularly in the area of marriage, relationships and families, while at the same time finding a way to adapt to the necessary realities and sometimes the injustice of the modern world, the characters often “torn between two powerful forces neither of which would give way”. Although he may not be the most diplomatic of people and often speak out of turn, Mr Ali’s faith in his agency shows that he believes there is a way that both can be reconciled.

The Marriage Bureau for Rich People might then be a little too mild and genteel for some readers and is rather conservative and traditional in its style, but most readers should identify with the simple premise of the human stories, their hopes for happiness and success and the everyday troubles and obstacles that can sometimes prevent them from achieving that aim, despite the best of intentions and noblest of actions.