A Dowryless Wedding by Merlin Franco – review

Book: A Dowryless Wedding
Author – Merlin Franco
Publisher – author UPFRONT
Pages – 225
Year – 2018
Rating – 3.7/5 stars

A wedding that is dowryless seems quite refreshing, ideal and also relaxing – even if we just think something as such. However, is it even possible? You need to ask this to comrade Franklin and you will get the answer – never ever ask me about marriage, be it less or much of dowry!

Recently, I read a novel by Merlin Franco, an Indian author based in Borneo and originally from Kanyakumari. A Dowryless Wedding promises the readers to provide them with sarcasm, humour and a little into the life of a person aspiring to become an ideal by not accepting dowry in his marriage. We meet the protagonist Franklin and his strong left-leaning ideologies, posters, banners, dharnas, bandhs, and meetings with comrades. He is a professor and also a student doing his research (PhD).

Now, as it happens, a young man or woman is cared more by the society than themselves would do – their marriage is a social concern and it’s the fundamental right of Indian society. Franklin is pursued by Kumar, a fellow who arranges marriages and in his own unique ways:

“I looked at Kumar. He remained silent. I was convinced that his silence had something to do with the fifteen percentage commission that he wanted to acquire.”

Yes, Indian streets are full of such marriage agents. Franklin is pushed into a marriage with Nisha, a graduate student with a child’s mentality (at times). They start talking before their marriage and they finally begin to like and gradually love each other. The proposal of a car and fair share of jewellery cannot be undone – even Christians believe in heavy dowries!

The marriage, however, is ruined for some reason and it ends pretty tragic for the guy and also for the girl (maybe). I won’t give away the plot so that your interest lessens in the novel but I will tell some of the most important features in the work by Merlin Franco (you may think that Franklin is none but Franco himself, at rare occasions).

Narrative of the novel is simple, straightforward and fueled with occasional sarcasm and realism and humour in abundance. The author, however a debutant, has got the grip of it. You will have the moments of laughter on many occasions in the novel.

“He says your responsibility towards the family will lead you to earn better and once you start earning better your communism will fade away.”

The language used in the novel will have South Indian finish at times which you can recognise if you are familiar with the tone. It’s easy and comprehensive and connects directly with the readers’ expectations that you can believe. So, the novel is meant for the readers of every age and reading style – language-wise.

It will be a very good read for the lovers of meaningful fiction as well as problem fiction. The author has his job to do, as a debutant, and he has done it quite well. Merlin and his A Dowryless Wedding have been successful in leaving an impression on my mind and I am sure they both will impress you too!

Yes, there are the occasions in the novel when you will feel the limitations of a first-time writer have come to the fore but that is very rare. Most of the times, you will enjoy and laugh…

Get your copy from the Amazon India link below and start reading the tale fo a marriage which is dowry-less but proves to be lesser than that as well…

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