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This is an engrossing story of family and familial relationships. Marriage Material deals with the Bains , their convenience store and the changes they experience following the sudden death of their patriarch. It also addresses the sometimes diffiult relationship between sisters, breaking out of cultural epectations and learning that the familial bond is perhaps the strongest bond of all. It’s quite well written and gives an insight into another culture and their way of life. ( )

Absorbing and entertaining tale of cross-culture relations (British/Sikh/Pakistani/castes), familial and 'tribal' connections and obligations, and the tug of tradition butting up against modern realities. Then of course there's the pressure to marry someone your mother approves of. Until it becomes clear that no such person exists. Funny, observant and with a surprise reveal at the end you won't see coming. Europa Editions scores again. ( )

3.0 out of 5 stars Life and death, riots and racism...and the retail trade, December 28, 2014

This review is from: Marriage Material (Kindle Edition)
Set among a community of Sikh shopkeepers in Wolverhampton, this novel starts off with alternate chapters focussing on Surinder (a rebellious teenage daughter of a newsagent in the 1960s) and 21st century Arjan, who has left his London career and his white fiancee to help his newly widowed mother with her shop. How these two strands are linked and come together becomes clear as you read ...
I found this a moderately interesting read, and very funny in parts. From the chapters, each named after a relevant publication, from 'Asian Trader' to 'Penthouse', to the author's observations on life in retail:
'Dealing with people paying for Mars bars with £20 notes; giving detailed directions to surly motorists who buy nothing in return; dishing out copies of Asian Babes to shameless septuagenarians ... My God, the chit-chat. "Ow bin ya? Bostin day, ay it? It ay stop raining in yonks. Weren't the Blues good yesterday?" '
I would say I enjoyed the earlier part most, especially Surinder's home life. As their lives moved on, the story seemed somewhat less convincing. ( )