Intemperance

In the jaunty latest from Jha (The Laughter), a twice-divorced feminist scholar decides to celebrate her 55th birthday by throwing herself a swayamvar, a traditional Indian ceremony in which a woman invites potential suitors to compete for her hand in marriage by performing various feats. The unnamed narrator’s novelist son is skeptical, as are social media users, who debate the feminist merits of her online invitation to the swayamvar. A distant cousin from India warns her via email against the event, claiming that a curse was placed on their family that dooms the women’s marriages. Jha interweaves mystical Hindu elements throughout, as with the narrator’s series of encounters with mysterious women who might be goddesses, such as a woman she meets on a bus who gives her encouraging and whimsical advice: “Meet new people. Eat more cake. Meet old stories. Hydrate. Ask for what you want.” The narrator receives help from an enthusiastic young wedding planner, a wedding dress designer, and a sophisticated dance teacher with an air of “old Indian wealth,” each of whom contribute to a successful party at which the narrator defies her haters by attracting a wide array of suitors. Jha adds depth to the brisk story with hints of the narrator’s troubled family history and sticks the landing with a surprising and rewarding conclusion. It’s a fresh and sassy take on romantic comedy conventions. Agent: Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts, HG Literary. (Oct.)