Spouse: The Truth About Marriage : The Truth About Marriage 01 Edition

Spouse: The Truth About Marriage is an examination of the institution of marriage by the renowned Indian writer, Shobhaa De.

Summary Of The Book

Marriage is a complex state, the relationship can be challenging, and the changes in lifestyle that it involves for each partner needs time to get used to. The author takes a look at this relationship through Spouse: The Truth About Marriage and examines the reasons for the success and failure of marriages.

The dynamics and relationship within a marriage has been changing over time. There are no longer any well-defined roles, and the traditional male-dominated view is being challenged. The changing face of urban marriages is seeing the spouses in different roles, roles that defy convention, yet tend to make the relationship smoother.

The author, Shobhaa De, takes a tongue-in-cheek approach in the book, as she goes into various aspects of married life. The power struggle, romance, sex, relationship with in-laws, children  - all these and more are brought out and examined.

The chapters have English titles and Hindi subtitles. The subtitles are mostly derived form Hindi movies and soap operas. Each chapter examines one aspect of marriage and is spiced up with anecdotes from the author’s own experiences.  She examines the relationship with the mother-in-law and kids, and about open expressions of love and the changing role of the husband and wife in modern Indian society, especially in the urban areas.

The author takes a look at the breaking of the conventional male dominance of the relationship. Wives are no longer the quiet, subservient inferiors, always deferring to their husband’s wishes. The financial independence of women has led to major changes, and this has made the man-woman relationship more complex.

De also examines how an ego-driven relationship mostly leads to failed marriages - whether the culprit is the wife or husband. She examines the value of compromise and mutual respect in marriage, and how this can assure along lasting and happy relationship.

Spouse: The Truth About Marriage is light-heated and entertaining, while at the same time offering deep insights into what makes a relationship work. This book is a good read, for anyone who is contemplating the idea of getting married, or for those who are already married.

About Shobhaa De

Shobhaa De is an Indian novelist and journalist. Her novels and her newspaper columns are extremely popular.

De’s novels have been translated into other regional languages also. Some of her books are used as course material in comparative literature studies at many universities in India and elsewhere. Other books by Shobhaa De include Selective Memory: Stories From My Life, Strange Obsession. Shobha D, Socialite Evenings, Second Thoughts, Snapshots, and Starry Nights.

Shobhaa De was born in Mumbai in 1948. She graduated with a degree in psychology from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai.  She began her career as a model, then turned to journalism. She worked as an editor for three magazines - Stardust, Celebrity, and Society. Shobhaa De has been married twice. Her second husband is businessman Dilip De. Together, they have six children, two of their own and four from their previous marriages.