(3/26/2023)
"Unmarriageable" is a novel by Sonia Kamal, posted in 2019. The book is a present day retelling of Jane Austen's traditional novel "Pride and Prejudice," set in Pakistan. The story follows the lives of the Binat family, particularly the five single daughters, as they navigate the social and cultural expectations of their society.
The primary character, Alys Binat, is a literature instructor who is outspoken and independent. She is not fascinated in conforming to societal norms and is skeptical of the idea of marriage. However, her mother is obsessed with finding appropriate matches for her daughters and hopes to marry them off to wealthy and influential men.
The story explores topics of love, marriage, social class, and gender roles in modern Pakistan. The Binat family faces challenges and setbacks as they strive to find suitable matches for their daughters, and Alys in precise finds herself caught between her wish for independence and her developing emotions for a rich and influential man named Valentine Darsee.
Overall, "Unmarriageable" is a witty and engaging retelling of a basic story that highlights the challenges and complexities of contemporary relationships and societal expectations in Pakistan.