Winsome is just married and filled with anticipation. Her new husband is a stranger—one of the suitors chosen for her and the other mixed-race girls from the men who apply to the orphanage. But as the night train rattles towards her new home she sees possibility in this uncertain destiny. She knows she is headed for a new life in the metropolis. She does not know about Rangoon, this city cradled in the arms of rivers. That it is about to be torn apart in the struggle between its ancient owners and new masters. That it will seduce her, possess her senses and change utterly her notion of what kind of woman she can be. When she meets Jonathan—when the monsoon comes—she begins to find out.

In the lush and vibrant village of Alleppey, Kerala, a wedding brings together a tapestry of traditions, love, and the ceaseless beauty of the monsoon rains. **"A Monsoon Wedding"** tells the heartwarming and evocative tale of Lakshmi and Ravi's journey to matrimonial bliss, intricately planned by the dedicated wedding planner, Aisha. Aisha, a meticulous and creative wedding planner from Mumbai, arrives in Alleppey with the task of orchestrating the perfect wedding for Lakshmi and Ravi. Her initial days are filled with challenges as she navigates through the nuances of Kerala's traditions and the unpredictable monsoon weather. The story unfolds with Aisha immersing herself in the local culture, forming deep bonds with the Nair family and the villagers who are as integral to the celebration as the rituals themselves. Throughout her journey, Aisha encounters a series of heartfelt and enriching experiences. She collaborates with Radhakrishnan, a revered local musician, to weave the soul of Kerala’s music into the wedding ceremonies. With Sundar, the skilled florist, she crafts a floral wonderland that blends traditional and contemporary elements, transforming the venue into a breathtaking celebration of nature and culture. Ananya, a talented artisan, helps Aisha incorporate traditional crafts into the decor, adding authenticity and charm to the wedding. As the wedding day approaches, the monsoon rains become both a challenge and a blessing, imbuing the celebration with a unique magic. The ceremony itself is a grand yet intimate affair, filled with traditional rituals, heartfelt emotions, and the vibrant sounds of local music. Despite the rain, or perhaps because of it, the wedding becomes a testament to resilience, love, and the enduring beauty of tradition. The narrative reaches its zenith with the wedding ceremony, where Lakshmi and Ravi exchange vows amidst the lush, rain-kissed landscape of Alleppey. The monsoon, far from being a hindrance, enhances the romance and mystique of the occasion, symbolizing the life-giving force that nourishes both the land and the human spirit. Aisha's journey culminates in a profound sense of accomplishment and connection, as she helps create a wedding that is not just a union of two hearts, but a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. As the rain-soaked celebration concludes, Aisha reflects on her time in Alleppey, filled with gratitude for the experiences and relationships she has formed. The story leaves readers with a sense of peace and fulfillment, echoing the gentle promise of new beginnings brought by the monsoon. "A Monsoon Wedding" is a story of love, tradition, and the magic of the monsoon, beautifully capturing the essence of Kerala's culture and the timeless beauty of a wedding that becomes a cherished memory for all who are part of it.

Riya is shocked to find the man who broke her heart, Dhruv, has returned to India for her roommate's wedding and a possible arranged marriage.

This essay collection examines the cultural and personal world of girls and women at a time when their lives, their person, their realities, and their status are about to change forever. Together, the chapters cleverly create an in-depth study of the subject, and look at several cultural forms to offer a different approach to the popularly-held views of the bride. The critical essays in this edited collection are thematically driven and include global perspectives of the portrayals of the bride in the films, stage productions and pop-culture narratives from Nigeria; Kenya; Uganda; Tanzania; Spain; Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; Tajikistan; India; Egypt; and the South-Eastern Indian Ocean Islands. This multinational approach provides insight into the intricacies, customs, practices, and life-styles surrounding the bride in various Eastern and Western cultures.

Amrith comes to terms with his sexuality in this sweeping coming-of-age story set against the stormy backdrop of monsoon season in 1980s Sri Lanka. For fans of Call Me By Your Name. Shyam Selvadurai’s brilliant novels, Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens, have garnered him international acclaim. In his first young adult novel, he explores first love with clarity, humor and compassion. The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Fourteen-year-old Amrith is caught up in the life of the cheerful, well-to-do household in which he is being raised by his vibrant Auntie Bundle and kindly Uncle Lucky. He tries not to think of his life “before,” when his doting mother was still alive. Amrith’s holiday plans seem unpromising: he wants to appear in his school’s production of Othello and he is learning to type at Uncle Lucky’s tropical fish business. Then, like an unexpected monsoon, his cousin arrives from Canada and Amrith’s ordered life is storm-tossed. He finds himself falling in love with the Canadian boy. Othello, with its powerful theme of disastrous jealousy, is the backdrop to the drama in which Amrith finds himself immersed.

Large screen TVs and full-line DVD services have liberated movie lovers from fear of parking and stale popcorn. Across the country, movie lovers are staying in and creating their own version of book clubs — but without the homework. The Movie Lovers’ Club — the only guide for movie nights with friends — motivates readers to form their own Lovers’ Club clubs to explore the more than 100 excellent film suggestions, summaries, critical reviews, and insider anecdotes. Author Cathleen Rountree offers a year’s worth of must-see classic, contemporary, independent, and foreign films and provocative discussion questions to keep the cinematic conversation lively. With everything readers need to know to start a Movie Lovers’ Club, the book’s selections run the gamut and include powerful films such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Henry and June, and Real Women Have Curves. Whether you need advice for a political group, a girls’ night out party, or a band of indie film devotees, movie watching reaches new depths with ideas on where, when, and how to launch a film group.