Soniah Kamal

Accolades & Blurbs for Unmarriageable

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Featured Praise for Postcolonial Content NPR Unmarriageable succeeds in being both a deliciously readable romantic comedy and a commentary on class in post-colonial, post-partition Pakistan, where the effects of the British Empire still reverberate KIRKUS REVIEWS Kamal’s version of the classic novel highlights issues of colonialism INTERNATIONAL EXAMINER This postcolonial rewriting of Austen both pays tribute to the great novelist while also demonstrating how much British colonialism contributed to the cultural reshaping of modern South Asia SCROLL.IN Soniah Kamal comes along and subverts it all... a subtle but firm critique on English being a language of power, a tongue that we hold on to viciously because it protects the gates of South Asian social privilege BOOK RIOT Fast paced and hilarious.. an engaging romance as well as a serious meditation on the legacy of colonialism NRI PULSE Unmarriageable, stewed with Kamal’s insights into culture and class distinctions, race and colonization THECURIOUSREADER In an interrogation into the ways in which our politics are dictated by our social position, class and gender. It explores the impact and influence of the English language KHABAR MAGAZINE Unmarriageable is a delightful, searching novel with a postmodern and postcolonial sensibility THE DAILY STAR a bold study of the many hypocrisies of modern day South Asian Societies ASIAN IMAGE, UK This sumptuous book is so refreshingly relatable to young Asian women today ... A compelling story about marriage, class and sisterhood STAR TRIBUNE Unmarriageable does in words what Gurinder Chadha did in film with ‘Bride and Prejudice’

Featured Journal/Magazine Picks: PBS BOOKS Highlight NPR CODE SWITCH Summer 2019 Read Pick FINANCIAL TIMES Readers Best Book of 2019 PARADE Recommended Big Fiction Read for Book Clubs PEOPLE MAGAZINE Reads Pick AMAZON Best Book Pick Literature January 2019 BUSTLE One of the most anticipated reads for 2019 BUSTLE The Romance You Have to Read PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Book of the Week Pick BARNES AND NOBLES Staff Recommendation, Alderwood WA ACADEMY OF CHRISTIAN EDITORS recommended Best Book of the Year 2019 BOOKBUB A Best Book of 2019 so far/ BOOKBUB Best New Book Readers Can’t Stop Talking About BOOKBUB Best Read on a Rainy Day GOODREADS Anticipated Literary Reads for Readers of Color 2019 GOODREADS Hottest Romances of 2019 Pick SOUTHERN LIVING a perfect beach read NEW YORK POST A Best Book of the Week Pick BOOKISH Must-Read Romance 2019 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE 2020 Book Your Summer Reads Pick RANDOM HOUSE Readers Circle Pick READ IT FORWARD Anticipated Read 2019 & A Favorite January Read BOOKBOUND FESTIVAL Unmarriageable is the perfect bank holiday read SHE READS Anticipated Read 2019 PERPETUAL PAGE TURNER Anticipated Read 2019 HELLO GIGGLES A Best New Book of The Week GEORGIA AUTHOR OF THE YEAR Literary Fiction nominee 2020 BOOKS ALL GEORGIANS Should Read 2019 TOWNSEND PRIZE Finalist for Fiction 2020 PHS REVIEWERS CHOICE Awards Finalist 2019 LIBRARY READS Top Ten Pick January 2019 ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION One of the 10 Southern Books We Want to Read in 2019

Featured Library Picks Library Reads Voted by U.S. Librarians a January Top Ten Book Pick 2019 Owls Little Library Top Ten Audio Book 2019 New York Public Library a Summer Pick New York Brooklyn Public Library Read Pick Virginia Fairfax County Library Global Book Read Pick F Virginia Arlington Public Library Book Club Read Pick Florida Fleming Island Library Book Club Read Pick Los Angeles Westlake Village Library LA Book Club Read/Pick Connecticut Cheshire Public Library Recommended Read Wisconsin West Allis Public Library Staff Reads "rejoice! Here is a page turner of a retelling" Milwaukee Public Library- featured in Super Reader Summer Georgia Sharon Forks Library Reads Pick & Presentation Georgia Gwinnett Public Library Reads Pick & Presentation Georgia Roswell Reads Pick 2021 & Presentation Georgia Roswell Library Book Club Read/Pick Georgia Northeast Spruill Oaks Library Georgia Read Minnesota Lake Agassiz Library Summer Read and Recommendation "quick, witty, and clever story for a summer afternoon read.' Washington State North Olympic Library ‘An Off the Shelf Pick’ and Recommendation "Finding Love at the Library"

Featured Short Blurbs Journals, Magazines, Book Sellers Etc… JANE AUSTEN BOOKS "Unmarriageable is our favorite Jane Austen Adaptation." PEOPLE MAGAZINE This reinventive retelling charms ELLE Magazine Delightful retelling of Jane Austen's classic. You'll tear through it. AUDIOFILE Soniah Kamal delivers a passionate and jovial narration BUZZFEED A Feel Good Book That Will Make You Believe in Love CITY LIGHTS WABE NPR exceptionally clever and a great read THECURIOUSREADER.in One of the best literary adaptations of Pride and Prejudice THE DAILY VOX The perfect Pride and Prejudice retelling CULTURE HONEY A brilliant rendering of Austen's masterpiece NEW YORK POST Thoroughly Charms HEAT MAGAZINE Unmarriageable is the Funny One THE DAILY STAR Unmarriageble is charming and funny, but it is also deep, it will make you question and think. NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS Insightful...Smart...A witty delight that will leave you wish for more ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION Kamal’s resplendent novel embraces and builds upon its predecessor in such a fresh way that a new class of “P&P” lovers will likely be born KEPLERS LITERARY FOUNDATION Feminist, fun, richly imagined and filled with coded Urdu puns, this is a book you don't want to miss. WASHINGTON REVIEW Of BOOKS Thoughtful and whip-smart, Unmarriageable reinforces the timelessness of Austen’s classic while spinning a lively, complex story that makes for perfect winter-weekend reading JASNA-Greater Louisville Unmarriageable has quickly become a beloved favorite of the Jane Austen Society of North America Louisville Chapter AUSTENPROSE A witty, razor sharp view of Pakistani culture paralleling Jane Austen's Regency-era, Unmarriageable is the Pride and Prejudice retelling of my dreams NPR Both a fun, page-turning romp and a thought-provoking look at the class-obsessed strata of Pakistani society MORNING READER It feels as though this is exactly what Austen had hoped for. MODERN MRS DARCY Watch Bridget Jones’s Diary, Read Unmarriageable. BOOK INSPECTOR “detailed, realistic, creative and very entertaining. The scary part is how accurate it is to reality.” A CUP OF TEA WITH THAT BOOK PLEASE Finally an Austen adaptation we can be proud of. TARHEEL READER If you are a fan of diverse, multi-cultural reads, don’t miss this one LIVEMINT Kamal, a Pakistani American author, makes the old tale fresh again, with her canny exploration of Pakistani society. BOOK CORNER Kamal remains faithful to the original story while dazzling readers with a humorous and entertaining update of a beloved classic (meaning this is one you’ll actually love). MODERN MRS DARCY Watch Bridget Jones’s Diary, Read Unmarriageable. Both are fun, funny and worth your time. Especially Love the Cultural Commentary in Unmarriageable.

Featured In-depth Blurbs Journals, Magazines, Book Sellers Etc… NPR, USA As with Austen, whose books could be read as fun and simple romances or acerbic examinations of class and women's choices (and lack thereof), Kamal's Unmarriageable succeeds in being both a deliciously readable romantic comedy and a commentary on class in post-colonial, post-partition Pakistan, where the effects of the British Empire still reverberate. . . Both a fun, page-turning romp and a thought-provoking look at the class-obsessed strata of Pakistani society. DAWN, Pakistan There is, in Kamal’s novel, notable attention to detail when it comes to situating characters within a specific class context that Anglophone Pakistani fiction rarely manages to accomplish. Unmarriageable works as an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice because it doesn’t let the romance overtake the social commentary, but also doesn’t allow the social commentary to be too sweeping and obvious. It walks the tightrope of reminding the reader of the best of Austen’s novels while also being an enjoyable narrative in its own right. THE DAILY STAR, Bangladesh Unmarriageble is charming and funny, but it is also deep, it will make you question and think. It takes a contemplative look at the practices and traditions that we have normalized and often celebrate with pride. The novel is full of unmatched interpersonal conflicts, delicious satire, and clever humor and banter. It has skyrocketed to one of my favorite books from this year and if I ever have the privilege to meet Soniah Kamal in person, I'd have to borrow part of Fitzwilliam Darcy's famous monologue to express my admiration of her work: "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." SCROLL.IN India Rewriting Jane Austen is an industry. But this version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in Pakistan shines... The timeless value of a classic in English is that its importance comes from the language and our aspirational obsession with it. And then Soniah Kamal comes along and subverts it all... a subtle but firm critique on English being a language of power, a tongue that we hold on to viciously because it protects the gates of South Asian social privilege PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Starred Review A funny, sometimes romantic, often thought-provoking glimpse into Pakistani culture, one which adroitly illustrates the double standards women face when navigating sex, love, and marriage. This is a must-read for devout Austenites. LIBRARY JOURNAL Starred Review Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan may seem like an unusual pairing to some, but the rich cultural backdrop only enhances and breathes new life into Jane Austen’s classic. Kamal boldly embraces this treasured love story, creating a version solely her own. SHELF AWARENESS Starred Review If Jane Austen lived in modern-day Pakistan, this is the version of Pride and Prejudice she might have written. Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal is a distinctly entertaining update of Pride and Prejudice. It features all of the memorable plot details of Jane Austen's masterpiece but is cleverly reworked to reflect the state of modern society in the Muslim country of Pakistan. FORBES Endearing…Kamal’s story seems to have all the ingredients that make Pride and Prejudice’s re-telling an exciting, dramatic and fun South Asian adaptation complete with big, fat desi weddings, modern Pakistani women, affluent bachelors and the unrelenting quest for love." KEPLER’S LITERARY FOUNDATION For Austenites and fans of rich cultural commentary comes the effervescently charming Unmarriageable. More than merely a playful, absolutely captivating and enjoyable retelling of the classic novel, this updated narrative, set in 2001 Lahore, also packs incredible wit and underlying power. Feminist, fun, richly imagined and filled with coded Urdu puns, this is a book you don't want to miss. NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS “an insightful and smart look at Pakistani culture and the ways in which women are viewed and how they view themselves. . . . shed[s] light on the double standards and limitations that are set upon women . . . It is a witty delight that will leave you wishing for more.” INTERNATIONAL EXAMINER This postcolonial rewriting of Austen both pays tribute to the great novelist while also demonstrating how much British colonialism contributed to the cultural reshaping of modern South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular. The novel is a must-read for fans of Austen and the many adaptations of her work. THECURIOUSREADER.IN a fresh and delightful retelling of this classic novel. Unmarriageable, therefore, is an interrogation into the ways in which our politics are dictated by our social position, class and gender. It explores the impact and influence of the English language when it comes to our understanding of South Asian feminism while boldly attempting to unravel the privilege that gives mileage to the politics of Austen’s most popular protagonist Elizabeth. KAT IN THE LIBRARY We can all agree that it is rare for a reboot to rival the original. But in this world, where #metoo and #WeNeedDiverseBooks live, I have found you a single novel that can be a gateway drug to fine literature, world literature, and women’s literature. Unmarriageable is indeed “Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan”…more importantly, it is the version of Pride and Prejudice modern students NEED to read." STAR TRIBUNE Delightful . . . Unmarriageable introduces readers to a rich Muslim culture. . . . [Kamal] observes family dramas with a satiric eye and treats readers to sparkling descriptions of a days-long wedding ceremony, with its high-fashion pageantry and higher social stakes. NRI PULSE Unmarriageable, stewed with Kamal’s insights into culture and class distinctions, race and colonization, and a generous measure of sisterhood, love and marriage, simmers quite a succulent dish. Kamal’s rich references to works in English and Urdu, skillfully incorporated into the narrative, enriches the reading experience BRAZOS BOOKSTORE A beloved Austen classic gets a vibrant contemporary update in Unmarriageable. Full of color, romance, and delicious food, the audience will find themselves transported to modern-day Pakistan in a story that feels both familiar and fresh. Kamal’s re-telling will be sure to charm readers – whether they have read Pride & Prejudice or not. BOOKBROWSE Told with wry wit and colorful prose, Unmarriageable is a charming update on Jane Austen's NEW ADULTING beloved novel and an exhilarating exploration of love, marriage, class, and sisterhood. Classic in its literary style, simple in its storytelling, detail-oriented and specific in its ascription of femininity, Kamal’s Unmarriageable brings Austen to those who aren’t fans of older English literature but are hungry for a reimagined canon." KIRKUS REVIEWS "Kamal’s version of the classic novel highlights issues of colonialism, race, and Pakistani identity. Her insights are pointed and smart. Put your feet up and enjoy. It’s a delicious book." BOOKLIST This love letter to Austen reexamines sisterhood, society, and marriage in Pakistani culture and includes a fleshed-out epilogue that will satisfy today’s readers. BOOK CORNER The rich cultural backdrop of modern-day Pakistan breathes new life into Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. An Austen fan herself, Kamal remains faithful to the original story while dazzling readers with a humorous and entertaining update of a beloved classic (meaning this is one you’ll actually love). A CUP OF TEA WITH THAT BOOK PLEASE Finally an Austen adaptation we can be proud of. Kamal captures the Austen magic that we long for in our Austen retellings. But, even without the Austen characteristic this is one enjoyable read that can stand on its own feet NATIONAL.AE Unmarriageable is a retelling set in Pakistan that packs almost the same wit and punch as Austen herself. Austen’s penchant for satire is put to brilliant use in Unmarriageable, not only in situations but also in the naming of her characters MORNING READER In a sea of Pride and Prejudice retellings, Unmarriageable is my favorite yet. Themes, plot and characters are woven into the setting of modern day Pakistan that it feels as though this is exactly what Austen had hoped for. SHINE BRIGHT French Textbook on Languages, Literature and Culture. Chapter/Section on Unmarriageable, Austen and Contemporary Relevancy

Featured Author Blurbs LOIS REITZES, host of City Lights, WABE NPR Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal is exceptionally clever and a great read. V. V. GANESHANANTHAN, author of Brotherless Night An addictively smart, funny, genuinely modern novel that amplifies Austen’s feminism for our times, while brilliantly calling Eurocentrism on the carpet. Unmarriageable is a total delight! Once I had opened it, I really couldn’t put it down. I snuck it everywhere with me when I was supposed to be reading other things. DEVONEY LOOSER, author of The Making of Jane Austen A brilliant fictional homage to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, reimagined in 21st-century Pakistan, Unmarriageable offers an incisive, loving look at the society it puts under the microscope. Kamal’s splendid novel is not only light, bright, and sparkling. It’s sassy, direct, sharp, and funny. THRITY UMRIGAR, author of Honor An irreverent, witty, imaginative novel that is part homage and part interrogation of Jane Austen’s classic. Austen herself would have enjoyed Kamal’s deft retelling of her novel, while sipping a cup of chai. SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS author of Dream a Little Dream I loved Soniah Kamal’s Unmarriageable. This is Pride and Prejudice set in early 2000s Pakistan. I loved this fascinating glimpse into another culture which is so different from what I imagined. I also loved how closely the story sticks to the original Pride and Prejudice. It made me feel as if I was reading that familiar story all over again, but with fresh new impressions. JASMINE GUILLORY, author of The Wedding Date Unmarriageable is a joy to read! It transforms a familiar story into something new and fresh and different but keeps all of the warmth and intelligence of the original. I loved everything about these characters and spending time in their world. BALLI KAUR JASWAL, author of Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows Unmarriageable raises an eyebrow at a society that views marriage as the ultimate prize for women. Crackling with witty dialogue, family tensions, humor, and rich details of life in contemporary Pakistan, it tells an entirely new story about love, luck, and literature. VANESSA HUA, author of A River of Stars Charming and insightful, Soniah Kamal’s Unmarriageable connects the concerns of women across time and cultures in this delightful debut. JENNIFER BROWN, author of Modern Girls Kamal’s Unmarriageable is a witty and clever update on Pride and Prejudice, setting familiar characters in a modern-day Pakistan. While the plot is straight out of Austen, the change of scene and time period makes for a fresh and feminist spin on the story. Even if you’ve memorized the original, the romance between Alys Binat and Valentine Darcy will still sweep you into its magic, and the glimpse into Pakistani culture (and food! Oh the food!) makes this book a delight. COLLEEN OAKLEY, author of Before I Go It's rare for a retelling of a well-known story to be so surprising, so delightful, so gripping— but Unmarriageable is undeniably all three. I inhaled this book in two days. Not only is it sharply funny, but it gently reminds us that the issues facing modern women transcend time and culture. LAUREN GERSHELL, author of That's What Frenemies Are For I loved Unmarriageable. A new take on Pride and Prejudice, set in early 2000s Pakistan, I was immediately mesmerized. Kamal's descriptions are vibrantly rich and charming, and her characters beautifully developed (there are a huge number of characters to keep track of, so this is quite an achievement). I was particularly taken with how funny (in incredibly funny ways) the book was, which was completely unexpected. Unmarriageable was an utter delight to read- the perfect novel for when one wants something fun and light yet literary and smart. FALGUNI KOTHARI, author of The Object of Your Affections The beauty of Unmarriageable is that every character is at once familiar and yet wonderfully brand new in their Pakistani garb. It's like bumping into long-lost friends at a party and sitting down to catch up, marveling at all the changes the years have wrought and yet delighting in their familiarity JENNIFER TARHEEL READER If you are a Pride and Prejudice fan, don’t miss this one. If you aren’t, don’t miss this one. If you are a fan of diverse, multi-cultural reads, don’t miss this one. Moreover, if you are a fan of impeccable storytelling, Unmarriageable is a book not to be missed! Unmarriageable is a smart, evocative retelling of a classic that reads just like a modern classic. Everything about the story is perfection, intriguing, and completely enthralling. It was enjoyable and engaging from start to finish and receives my highest recommendation. AMULYA MALLADI, bestselling author of The Copenhagen Affair A delicious retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Instead of “high tea” with finger sandwiches, we have “high chai” with samosas and chicken patties. Soniah Kamal opens up the drawing rooms of the South East, where women wear Gucci and Qazi but the prize is still a ring on the finger and a man’s arm to hang onto. Unmarriageable is a joyride where you meet all the lovable Austen characters with a Pakistani twist, drawing on universal themes of love, passion and the healing nature of tea. SJ SINDU, author of Marriage of A Thousand Lies Unmarriageable is a rollicking good ride. The opulent landscape of Pakistan’s moneyed (and unmoneyed) social elite is exactly the kind of modern update Pride and Prejudice needs. This is one of those books that are hard to put down. CHIKA UNIGWE, author of The Middle Daughter This is an adaptation set in contemporary Pakistan. I love Austen adaptations, and this is one of my favorites. Funny, witty, and incisive, Kamal explores love, family, and the challenges women face in the 21st century Pakistan. If you’re an Austen adaptation fan and you haven’t read this, you’re missing out. Also read it if you enjoy brilliant storytelling. ERICA WRIGHT, author of Hollow Bones I am a sucker for Jane Austen retellings, and this one is my favorite. Kamal’s characters are as vivid as their original inspirations from Pride and Prejudice. The Pakistani setting also adds a layer of complexity. Even as the novel sweeps charmingly along, moments of social commentary cut through the lightness. Perhaps most satisfying is how Charlotte Lucas, here Sherry Looclus, gets a happier ending. KATHERINE COWLEY, author of The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet I was hooked on Unmarriageable from the very first page. This book is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in modern-day Pakistan, featuring an independently-minded teacher, Alys Binat, who wants to broaden the perspective of her female students and who fully intends to never marry. Instead of an assembly at Longbourn, we meet Mr. Bingla and Mr. Darsee at a fabulous Pakistani wedding. All the characters are brilliant (though my personal favorite is probably the Charlotte character, who is also a teacher at Aly’s school. The book illustrates that Jane Austen’s themes are still relevant today, and explores the complicated nature of families and the necessity of finding your way as a woman in spite of restrictions and societal expectations.