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What Did You Think of Marriage of a Thousand Lies by S.J. Sindu

Today we are going to talk about May’s book of the month, Marriage of a Thousand Lies. But before we chat about it, let’s explore this book and find out what it is all about.

SYNOPSIS

Marriage of a Thousand Lies by S.J. Sindu

Lucky and her husband, Krishna, are gay. They present an illusion of marital bliss to their conservative Sri Lankan–American families, while each dates on the side. It’s not ideal, but for Lucky, it seems to be working. She goes out dancing, she drinks a bit, she makes ends meet by doing digital art on commission. But when Lucky’s grandmother has a nasty fall, Lucky returns to her childhood home and unexpectedly reconnects with her former best friend and first lover, Nisha, who is preparing for her own arranged wedding with a man she’s never met.

As the connection between the two women is rekindled, Lucky tries to save Nisha from entering a marriage based on a lie. But does Nisha really want to be saved? And after a decade’s worth of lying, can Lucky break free of her own circumstances and build a new life? Is she willing to walk away from all that she values about her parents and community to live in a new truth? As Lucky—an outsider no matter what choices she makes—is pushed to the breaking point, Marriage of a Thousand Lies offers a vivid exploration of a life lived at a complex intersection of race, sexuality, and nationality. The result is a profoundly American debut novel shot through with humor and loss, a story of love, family, and the truths that define us all.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT AND/OR ANSWER:

  1. This is SJ Sindu’s debut novel. Do you like her prose?
    The pacing? Any memorable sentences or scenes?
  2. Lucky says “the last time I tried to come out, I ended up homeless and alone.” So her family is aware of her sexuality. Do you think they believe marriage will change her? Or that presenting herself as a heterosexual Sri Lankan woman is more important? Or both?
  3. Why do you think Nisha has introduced Lucky to the Rugby players?
  4. Sindu gives us a blast of the South Asian culture in the first 25 % of the book. What have you learned about this culture towards women? Towards men? Towards LGBTQIA?
  5. Lucky talks about how Kris smokes, but isn’t addicted…but he wants to be. I think smoking is mentioned again within the 50% mark. What do you think SJ Sindu is trying to tell the reader?

(Questions from our great Facebook group leader – Mocha Girl Classy)

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Melyssa

Melyssa is an avid reader, a marketing communicator, a professional aunt, a fierce friend, and a dog mom. She enjoys a good story and encourages reading on all platforms - traditional, digital, and audio. Reading is FUNdamental. Melyssa writes about what she reads at A Page Before Bedtime. She lives in Texas with her Pomeranian mix, Jasper. Connect with her on social media @melyssa57.
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