Arranged
Marriage

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's noticed that an arranged marriage is not an uncommon plot point. But... has anyone else noticed that they always seem to work out?

I'm trying to think of a book where an arranged marriage made the characters unhappy (after they met each other). I can think of some where the main characters parents were... apathetic, but not unhappy.

In real life, an arranged marriage isn't quite so lucky. Here's an interesting article I found on the subject:

"Arranged marriages have been a topic of interest for centuries. Authors across the ages have explored this theme at length, and it still surfaces in literary works today. What's the appeal? Is it the fascination with the lack of lust and desire we cultivate in North American society? We strive on the element of danger, of the forbidden, while an arranged marriage is usually a safe way to ensure a family's approval of a union.

"But how are suitable spouses chosen? In Japan, for instance, "when a woman reaches the marriageable age of 25, she and her parents compile a packet of information about her, including a photograph of her in a kimono and descriptions of her family background, education, hobbies, accomplishments and interests. Her parents then inquire among their friends and acquaintances to see if anyone knows a man who would be a suitable husband for her" (the Asia Society's Video Letter from Japan: My Family, 1988). Usually, the most important aspect of choosing a suitable spouse is the bond between the two families, rather than the relationship between the couple being married. Property or land with the aim of securing social status sometimes seals marriage agreements."

Which is why we see it so many times with royalty. Yeah? That's perfectly understandable. But, do arranged marriages work?

"Opinions tend to differ. Statistics place the divorce rate for arranged marriages much lower than those in the United States, where marriages out of love are the rule. However, research also shows that the pressure a married couple encounters from both society as a whole, and from the respective families, suggests that divorce is often not an option."

So, divorce rates are lower, but is it because they're happy? Or because divorce is not an option?

What do you think? Do you think arranged marriages are really sucessful and that books are just reflecting this? Or do you think they over inflate the likelyhood of happiness?

On another level, do you think too many books use this? Do you like this plot point?

And, discuss.

:)

~Enna Isilee

This article quoted throughout post

**Contest is for US Residents ONLY

I hope some of you became followers of my blog, because here comes the giveaway! It's going to be a little more complicated them my last "just comment" question.

I am giving away a hardcover copy of this book. It comes out tomorrow, so I'll have an official copy for you, hot off the press. Just waiting to be your's.

This will be an entry-based giveaway. More entries, bigger chances to win! So, how do you entry? Well, many of you already have and don't even know it!

Entry System:

4 entries for being a follower before my review of Ice (before October 3rd)
3 entries for being a follower between my review of Ice and now (October 3rd 4pm-October 5th 4pm)
2 entries for becoming a follower now (after October 5th 4pm)
1 entry if you are a subscriber on Reader

As a bonus, anyone who follows my blog, I'll return the favor and follow yours!

Don't want to become a follower? You can still enter the contest

Blog about this giveaway(no sidebar links), including a link to this post, and you'll get three entries. And to make it even easier, I've written a post for you! Just copy and paste this into your blog!


<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PM%2B0QDlDL.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 141px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PM%2B0QDlDL.jpg" /></a><br />The next hit book by Sarah Beth Durst, author of <i>Into the Wild</i><br /><br /> This book is based in modern times, up in Alaska and the arctic. Cassie lives with her father and their team at a research station in the middle of the ice-desert. Cassie's grandmother often told Cassie the story of how her mother was promised to the Polar bear king by her father the North Wind, but then she fell in love with a human man and the Polar Bear King(love him!) agreed to protect her from the North Wind's wrath, on the condition that their first-born daughter be his wife. But North Wind found her anyway blew her to the edge of the earth to be with the trolls.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now it's Cassie's 18th birthday, and the Polar Bear King has come for her.<br /><br /><br /><br />Enna Isilee ranted and raved about the awesomeness of this book over at <a href="http://squeakybooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/ice-sarah-beth-durst-contest.html">her blog</a>, and now she's offering anyone an opportunity to own it.<br /><br /><br /><br />This giveaway is awesome and easy, <a href="http://squeakybooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-hardcover-ice-by-sarah-beth.html">head here to enter the drawing and to get more information</a> (open to US residents only).<br /><br />


So you could have as many as 7 entries! Entries will end at 11:59pm (MST) on Wednesday, October 14th Winner will be announced Thursday, October 15th.

A WARNING: YOU MUST COMMENT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FOLLOWERS. (after all, how do I know you're still around?)

In your comment all you have to do is post your name. I don't mean your name I mean your username. So, for example, I would just comment "Enna Isilee" and that's it. Unless you want the 3 entries for posting it on your blog. Then you post your name and a link to your post. So an example comment:

Enna Isilee
http://www.squeakybooks.com/contestpost
I was a follower on Reader!

That would get you 4 entries. :)

Thats it!

I should have done something more creative, something cold-themed. But I've found that more people enter when there's less work involved. But I'm telling you, this book is worth it.

Any questions? Feel free to ask.

Want another chance to win ice? Head over to this fabulous butterfly-themed blog where a similar contest is going on.

If you're interested in winning a brand new, hardcover copy of Ice by Sarah Beth Durst, I will once again stronly recommend you become a follower of my blog (just click the button in the sidebar). You don't have to. There will be other ways to enter the drawing, but I'm just suggesting you do this quickly. Very quickly.

;)

WAHOO!!! Watch out, World. Enna Isilee is BACK with a vengence! And what's to blame? Ice by Sarah Beth Durst.

This book is based in modern times, up in Alaska and the arctic. Cassie lives with her father and their team at a research station in the middle of the ice-desert. Cassie's grandmother often told Cassie the story of how her mother was promised to the Polar bear king by her father the North Wind, but then she fell in love with a human man and the Polar Bear King(love him!) agreed to protect her from the North Wind's wrath, on the condition that their first-born daughter be his wife. But North Wind found her anyway blew her to the edge of the earth to be with the trolls.

Now it's Cassie's 18th birthday, and the Polar Bear King has come for her.

We're talking hardcore Squeaky Book here guys, as in I haven't moved from this chair all day! What was it that gripped me about this book? EVERYTHING!

As some of you may know, this is the latest book by the author of Into The Wild (Heh. I just re-read my review of that book. I gushed there too), and this one is also based on a fairy tale.

It's based on East of the Sun, West of the Moon , and when my mother saw me reading this she said(justifiably), "Is that another book based on east of west moon sun?" And I am here to tell you: no it is not.

I haven't read East but I have read Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. And I'm telling you, even if you have read those, this book will keep you on your toes! Durst brings in such an interesting mix of fairy tale, folklore, culture, and... I don't want to say religion, because that's not quite what it is, but if you read it you'll understand.

Just a quick squeaky: it's for a slightly older audience than Into the Wild (I'm gonna say... 14+, due to mild swearing, and married people doing what married people do).


Well? Are you hooked? Have I won you over? Are you dying to get your hands on this book as soon as it comes out?!

How about I help you out with that?

I'm not going to officially announce a contest until Monday. But let's just say it's in your best interest (and mine) to become a follower of my blog before then (you'll notice that the author of this book is! HI SARAH!!).

Tee hee. I'm so excited!
~Enna Isilee