The Newlyweds Audiobook

" This book had a lot of potential, but it never materialized. In the end, I didn't really like any of the characters and not much really happened. I really wanted to like Amina, and really sympathized with her in the beginning, but the book just dragged on and on and every character just became more and more unlikeable. "

" immigrant stuff. very engaging for me these days. a bit soap-opera-y but grand. "

" This is, I believe, the first book I've read that takes place (partially) in Bangladesh, and I found that interesting. Amina puts her profile on the internet and begins corresponding with George, an American. Eventually George comes to Bangladesh to meet Amina, and they decide to marry. This is the story of Amina's adjustment to America, her attempts to bring her parents to join her, and the effect that past loves on the part of both George and Amina will have on their marriage. "

" This is an intimate portrait of marriage between Bangladesh immigrant and her American husband who met online. I really enjoyed learning more about Bangladesh culture and the relationship with her parents but there never really was a sense of an ending/closure/or point to it all. It never really goes anywhere and was disappointing in the end. "

" WOW - Two good books read in a row. That doesn't happen often. This story, of a "mail order" bride and an engineer in Rochester, NY was extremely entertaining. Told from the eyes of the bride, the difficulties she overcame between two such very different cultures was quite thought provoking. I would recommend this without hesitation. "

" Here's a book that has much to discuss for a book club. Cross-cultural issues; immigration; family and spousal relationships across cultures; "arranged marriages" and the layers of secrecy and deceit that can pass for cultural differences. "

" I loved this book--even though I felt a little impatient for something to happen in the first 100 pages. But Freudenberger's prose and her mastery of the art of writing, calmed me down and I really grew to love the characters. I loved the opportunity the story provided for getting a glimpse into the process of assimilating into a new culture--and really what is revealed is Amina's complex internal reactions to her new and previous culture. Set in Bangledesh and Rochester, New York. "

" This book started out promising, but then threw in a HUGE curveball. At times there were too many character (family members) to keep track of. The ending mostly made me sad for the main character, but in an interesting way. Worth a read! "

" The story and the set-up grabbed me from the beginning, but the last third or so left me cold, and ultimately disappointed. "

" Almost interesting. I picked this up when I didn't have any good books to read and only kept reading because nothing better came along. "

" The book is misnamed because it isn't really about Amina and George, the bride and groom. The book doesn't flesh out George's character at all. It really is about Amina and her Bangladeshi culture and family. I was upset at the ending. There was no closure at all - the story just stopped! "

" Five stars - not given easily - but thoroughly enjoyed this read. Felt like there was depth and the characters felt real and believable and I cared. I can be alarmed sometimes by how easily I forget a book - but think this one will stay with me. "

" I read it very quickly, thought it interesting but didn't really get involved with any of the characters and thought it not truly convinced that it would turn out in the end as to be as successful as the characters hoped it would prove to be. "

" Amina (in Bangladesh) and George (in Rochester NY) meet in a dating website. Before long, George heads to Bangladesh and returns home with the promise of marriage to Amina. The story involves the culture problems for each, and unresolved romances for each as well. "

" Oregonian books "

" Interesting beginning but boring after the first few chapters. Unsatisfactory ending. "

" Yes. So good. "

" Not what I expected and difficult to continue on at times "

" could not get through this book; I tried... twice! "

" Internet courtship and marriage of American man and Bangladeshi woman withstand family dynamics on both ends. Very good on crossing cultures and (as best I can tell) modern Bangladesh and social changes there. "

" Really enjoyable read! Amina is a great protagonist who seeks happiness for herself and her parents, tries to find a balance with her new husband George, and reconcile the way she understands events from the past with how her life is today. Would recommend! "

" An interesting read, written very much in the style of west Asian love stories (or at least from my experience with Indian love stories,) where love is lost/found or unrequited. It never ultimately moved me dramatically, but it was an enjoyable read. "

" Interesting view into 'arranged marriages' and the effect of life's choices... "

" I think this is such a well-written story about the dynamics between two different cultures and the various struggles the main character dealt with internally. I found the initial premise hard to believe but it obviously happened as this was sparked by a real woman's story. "