A Marriage Made in Heaven : A Love Story in Letters

By Ehud Sperling and Vatsala Sperling

Book Overview

Defying her culture and tradition, a successful, highly educated Tamil Brahmin woman writes a letter to a prominent American book publisher who advertises in an Indian newspaper for an arranged... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580081827
• ISBN13: 9781580081825
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

For Every Woman and Man

A marriage made in Heaven and a love story told in passion - what an extraordinary recount of an extraordinary experience of an extraordinary couple. And the best of all, it is a true story. The book is not only beautifully, tastefully and meaningfully written, it is invaluable in its delivery of that ultimate sense of love, faith, trust, and the consciousness of the minds, not to mention the rich and colorful culture background. All along while I was reading this book, I see a movie in my Mind's Eye, ever so vivid, unfolding chapter by chapter, with Penelope Cruz playing Vatsala and Hugh Jackman acting as Ehud. The movie ends on the wedding night when Ehud, holding the hand of his bride, slowly closes the bedroom door behind and, in complete darkness and silence there comes Vatsala's voice in a soft whisper "the door closed on one life and opens to a path to the new beginning". Suddenly, lights come back on, traditional Hindu music fills the movie theater... This story should be acted out by a joint effort of Hollywood and Bollywood. The book is also educational in that prenuptial consensus is absolutely necessary for couples contemplating holy matrimony. Marriage, after all, is but a faithful fulfillment of a well-drafted contract between two individuals who understand his/her role in such a union and constantly adjust to each other's needs during their life's journey, provided that the two individuals are compatible intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Such compatibilities may come from pure luck, more likely however, they are cultivated through commitments and gratitude. Therefore, I would like to suggest that marriage counselors offer this book to their troubled couples/clients. The healing process would start almost immediately after one reads the first few chapters. A great book. Mimi Hu, CPA Maui, Hawaii, USA

Review of Marriage Made In Heaven

In a culture that has forgotten how to educate us about the fundamental elements of success and happiness is marriage and family life A Marriage Made in Heaven is a profound presentation of what is missing from generations of advice and teaching in western cuture. How do you find the right marriage partner? What makes a marriage happy and what makes a marriage last? These questions are asked and answered constantly in ninety percent of our popular music, by rows and rows of books that publish tips for singles and strategies for marital sucess. Still, the divorce rate in our country climbs higher and higher. I walked into the local bakery in the small town where I lived on a freezing January afternoon, hoping to warm up with some hot chocolate and finish my to do list for leaving to work in a clinic in India a week later. By chance, I picked up a copy of A Marriage Made in Heaven. I had just turned forty two and had never been married. I was always curious about how people found a life partner and actually managed to make a marriage last. For several years I knew that I could only have a strong connection with someone who shared a deep commitment to spiritual growth and family values that would preside in our relationship and home. Many people had told me that this was impossible to find and that I would have to just settle. One yoga teacher I had, however, encouraged me never to settle. "Be strong in your sadhana" he said "and your devotion to God will bring the right person to you. You will not be able to live with someone who does not have this same level of devotion. " I followed his advice and for several years I focused on my spiritual practice and my healing arts practice almost to the point where I wondered if I was going in the total opposite direction of marriage towards celibacy! But I still had the hope that somehow the right person would materialize. How, I had absolutely no idea, it seemed like I had already been to every place where this type of person might be and I had met absolutely no one suitable. I was so happy to read a dialogue between two souls, two families and two cultures that started from discussing values, sharing emotions, and processsing a comprehensive world view besides. It confirmed what I had always felt "....the relationship between a man and a woman embodies the whole mystery of creation and the meaning of life. Marriage takes place not only in this world of comings and goings but on a deeper more mysterious plane. A healthy, loving, positive relationship between husband and wife is one of the most important goals we can aspire to".(p.41) I agreed with Ehud, that sadly, most marriages, in this country did not reach that depth. His own example of a marriage ending with a phone call struck me at my core. I found great courage in this example that Ehud was able to pick up the pieces and carry on to find so many blessings. He tells Vatsala that, "Ultimately the marriage should reflect

a real book for teens

I am inches away from graduating out of highschool.While scanning the bookstore for college admission manuals, I chanced upon A Marriage Made in Heaven : A Love Story in Letters" and could but stop and stare at the cover photo. I felt compelled to find out what these authors had to say. As I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting, I concluded that for teenagers like myself who are standing at the doorway to their future, this book is an eyeopener. Teens today are facing unique problems of social alienation, drug and alcohol abuse, broken families and transient sexual relationships that give a moment of fun, may be,and many possible threats to one,s emotional and physical wellbeing. However in these experimental years, the teens also have to face the questions about what they want to make out of their lives. This book shows that if the teens want a solid, happy life for themselves, it is possible.I strongly recommend this book to all the teenagers before they go out on their first date with a person of same or opposite gender. The list of dos and donts mentioned in this book will help young people find a truthful and honest relationship, irrespective of their sexual orientation. Also, this book is informative, attractive and a fun to read. The authors letters to each other, before they met or thought about marriage, opens wide windows into a man and a woman's mind. These authors have proven that human race is truly one, the differences are there to basically highlight the goodness in each one of us. Come on guys and gals, get this book, read and think about what it says and start your love life today on a positive note.

Charming love story

My son recently married a beatiful woman of Indian ancestry who thrives on her large family in Orange County, CA. When I heard the PBS radio interview with Ehud Sperling, I was curious about what he found attractive in a woman from India. The book is really her book. She reveals herself as charming and definitely ready to leave her career in micro-biology in the crowded South India city of Madras for a new adventure and opportunity to be a full time wife and mother. Although he comes across as resourceful and generous (and obviously fedup with USA women as wives), her values, insights, and faith in God are what give the book its radiance. This book affirmed the wisdom of my son's choice!

A MAD(E)FOR EACH OTHER REAL LIFE FABLE

Touching story of two souls seeking for life long partnership! The authors have come forward to share some of their inner & intimate thoughts in their step by step quest for each other, through poignant letters. A very moving episode ending in bliss & hormony, bringing out tears of compassion & goodwill for the couple. A must " reading " for all those lonely hearts in search of eternal soul mates. KG