A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Lata is arguably the central character of the novel. She is the younger daughter of Mrs. Rupa Mehra, a widow. She is first seen at the wedding of her sister Savita to Pran Kapoor. Lata is a student at the university. She has a quick mind and is quite well read, though somewhat naive about life and relationships. Lata questions the idea of an arranged marriage like that of her sister where the couple know nothing at all about each other. Her attitude is typical of the young Indian population after the separation of India and the British. Although Lata is free to go to the university and shopping with friends unaccompanied, she recognizes that there are still limitations placed on girls that are not placed on boys. When Lata meets and becomes intrigued by Kabir Durrani, she throws caution to the winds and arranges to meet him secretly. To point out her naivete, it is not until Lata has fallen in love with Kabir that she learns he is a Muslim. Coming from a Hindu family, Lata realizes that Kabir would never be considered as a "suitable boy" for her to marry.