"Ayesha at Last" by Uzma Jalaluddin
Goodness, another high school teacher writing a novel...this time from Toronto. This was really quite fun and it is always rather facinating to learn about arranged marriages. They have their place for sure and I do know a couple of people who had them....young professional people. And I loved the references to Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare. Ayesha's grandfather is a Shakespeare scholar and encouraged her to think she was in a Comedy rather than a Tragedy when troubles came. Shakespeare's Comedies have twists and turns but always turn out well.
Some reviews:
“Come for Darcy reimagined as a hyper-conservative young man and Elizabeth Bennet as a wannabe poet frustrated by family obligation; stay for Uzma Jalaluddin’s warm portrait of life for twentysomething Muslims in suburban Toronto struggling to honour their heritage while pursuing their dreams.” (The Globe and Mail)
“An uproarious romp, filled with farcical cases of mistaken identity, disastrous proposals and a big Bollywood wedding.” (Toronto Life)
“This is the book I’ve been waiting for since my long-running Jane Austen obsession. Move over Darcy, Khalid’s in town.” (S. K. Ali, author of Morris Award finalist, Saints and Misfits)
“Uzma Jalaluddin blazes a brilliant new trail with Ayesha At Last, a captivating romance set in the Muslim community, brimming with humour and heart. You will fall in love with Ayesha and Khalid—an Elizabeth and Darcy for our times.” (Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of A Dangerous Crossing)
