Marrying Anita

More about the book

Is arranged marriage any worse than Craigslist? One smart and feisty woman's year in India searching for a husband the traditional way reveals a rapidly changing culture and diverse ideas about finding a mate. Frustrated with the New York singles scene after three years of awkward dates and pressure from her Indian parents, Anita Jain decides to explore arranged marriage. She questions whether looking for a partner in a bar is any less barbaric than her parents' traditional approach. After announcing her intentions in a widely discussed New York magazine article, Jain returns to India—the country her parents left behind—to find a husband. At thirty-two, she faces a barrage of cultural expectations. Her journey is filled with romantic encounters, nosy relatives, and numerous potential husbands. Will she find someone who meets her standards and pleases her family? Is the urban Indian culture she encounters really that different from America? With disarming candor, Jain shares her unfolding romantic story while providing insight into a country modernizing at breakneck speed. This narrative offers a refreshingly honest look at contemporary desires and the quest for the perfect mate.