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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Shobhan Bantwal's THE DOWRY BRIDE.
Cam from Murrells Inlet, SC
What authors do you usually read?
Pete Hamill, Sena Jeter Naslund, P. D. James, Jodi Picoult, Khaled
Hosseini, Lisa See, and Ruth Rendell.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
I thought it was very interesting and enlightening.One of the reasons
I love to read is that I learn so much from many of the books I have
read, and this was no exception.Bantwal had a story to tell, and she
did it very well.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes, I would.
Chris from Augusta, KS
What authors do you usually read?
I faithfully read Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Janet
Evanovich and Nicholas Sparks.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
Fascinating! Riveting! Not enough reading time in the day! I was on the
edge of my seat, wishing for another hour to see what would happen
next.It was a wonderful, refreshing read!
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
First novel, are you kidding me? I can't wait for the next. I would
definitely purchase it!
Danielle from Havertown, PA
What authors do you usually read?
Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Jodi Piccoult, Maeve Binchy, and
Philippa Gregory.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
It was a captivating read!I was impressed by the main character's
perseverance and cleverness as she attempted to save her life.I knew
nothing about life in modern India or about the horrible custom of
dowry murders, and the book managed to strike a very good balance
between educational and turn-the-pages exciting.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Sure!
Emilee from Alexandria, IN
What authors do you usually read?
James Patterson and Anne Mccaffrey.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
It felt like I was transported to India by the descriptions in the
book.I could not believe, in this day and age, that people were still
paying others for marriage.The people in the book were very real.You
could understand why they did what they did.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes, I really enjoyed the book.
Janet from Hot Springs, AK
What authors do you usually read?
Some of my favorite authors include Lisa Jackson, Madeline Hunter, and
Tori Carrington. I also read many other authors, and I never turn down
a book.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
I really liked this book. It started out a little weak, but once it got
going, it was good. There were some rough spots --- snags, really ---
when she would interpreta Hindu word into English.Ms. Bantwal did a
really good job in describing the characters and I felt like I could
visualize them easily. I'd really like to see Megha and Kiran five
years later.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes, I definitely would. I enjoyed the little Hindu tidbits that she
added, which I haven't seen in my studies of Hinduism.
Linda from Aurora, CO
What authors do you usually read?
I read many female authors of fiction, science fiction, and suspense
such as Connie Willis, Kage Baker, Jodi Picoult, Lee Smith, Maeve
Binchy, Anita Shreve and Anne Taylor.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
The story is important and the culture that supports the dowry practice
was explained well. However, the writing was repetitive, contrived and
trite. It could use some very strict editing, and the length of the
book could be reduced by at least a third.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
I don’t know. I’d be more interested in a story from her that was
closer to her own situation --- an arranged marriage that worked. What
did it take to succeed? Has she known dowry deaths from a personal
perspective (friend, acquaintance, same city, etc.)?
Pamela from Jupiter, FL
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
It was a well-written, captivating read. I thought the author was
informative and certainly enlightening about the plight of these
beautiful young ladies who are subjected to the dowry system.It is
hard to fathom arranged marriages and how dowry brides ready themselves
for life with a virtual stranger. While it may work for some, it
certainly must be so very difficult for others.I also feltthe author
did a marvelous jobwith character development.I certainly warmed to
the central character and those who helped her and disliked her
mother-in-law immensely for her disregardfor this lovely youngwoman's
life.
Reeca from Ripley, MS
What authors do you usually read?
The authors that I usually read are Philippa Gregory, Jean Plaidy,
James Patterson and Greg Iles, just to name a few.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
I thought THE DOWRY BRIDE was a very good read.It really was a true
page turner and I thought the characters were excellent. I really
enjoyed it.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
I would definately read this author again, and I can't wait until the
next book comes out!!
Rosalie from Whitehall, OH
What authors do you usually read?
I read a variety of different authors.Some are:Dean Koontz, Lisa See,
Anchee Min, Jeffery Deaver, James Grippando, John Grisham, Nicholas
Sparks, Kristin Hannah, Philippa Gregory, and many others.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
It was a wonderful book.I could not stop reading it, and finished in 2
days. I thoroughly loved this story.I was fascinated by the different
cultural traditions of India.It was a learning experience, a mystery
and a love story all in one.I have recommended this book to several of
my friends.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes, I am sure I will read other books by Shobhan Bantwal.I enjoyed
her style of writing and the use of the correct Indian word with the
English translation following it.
Sharon from Albuquerque, NM
What authors do you usually read?
I read Monica Wood, Taylor Holden, Peter Pezzelli, Kate Austin, Mary
Doria Russell, Laura Lippman and Wilbur Smith.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
This novel, which wasintriguing and about difficult subject
matter,left me gasping. The vivid character portrayal and the plight
of Megha gripped me throughout. It superbly weaves
a compelling story with fascinating descriptions of India. This book
is unforgettable and special.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes, I would definitely read another book by this author.
Tamara from Renton, WA
What authors do you usually read?
Janet Evanovich and Perri O'Shaughnessy.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
I enjoyed the book.It was interesting, not just because it was about a
culture that I was not that familiar with, but the story was good.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Yes.
Linda from Nevis, MN
What authors do you usually read?
I read a variety of popular fiction, but I particularly enjoy books
that are written by foreign authors or are about foreign countries and
traditions.My favorites are Khaled Hosseini and Lisa See, and books
such as A FINE BALANCE.
What did you think of THE DOWRY BRIDE?
Although I am intrigued to learn more about life in India for women,
and particularly the subject of dowry and dowry killings, I frankly did
not think the book was very well written and would have been
disappointed if I had paid to read it. I didn't think the character
development was adequate, and it would have been much more interesting
if there were more historical facts included about the dowry system.
Would you ever read a future book by Shobhan Bantwal?
Perhaps, although it would have to be much better written and
researched than this book. I wish her much success in her writing
future.
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