Marriage – Where Soup Is Better Than Dessert by Kumar Madhurendra Kishor is a deeply reflective and heartfelt work that stands apart from conventional books on marriage. Rather than offering step-by-step advice or prescriptive do’s and don’ts, it gently invites the reader into an honest exploration of the emotional undercurrents that truly define marital life.
At its core, the book argues that marriage is not sustained by romance, rituals, or external gestures alone—it thrives on emotional maturity, self-awareness, and the ability to heal from one’s own past. Kishor traces these foundations back to childhood, emphasizing how the way we were nurtured, ignored, or exposed to our parents’ relationship patterns leaves invisible imprints that later surface in our own marriages. In doing so, he places great importance on inner reflection, suggesting that the health of a marital bond often depends less on the partner and more on the unresolved emotional layers we carry within ourselves.
The writing is warm yet thought-provoking, striking a delicate balance between empathy and depth. Kishor does not sermonize; instead, he shares observations, stories, and insights in a manner that feels conversational and relatable. The metaphor in the title—“where soup is better than dessert”—is beautifully apt. Just like soup, which is slow-cooked, nourishing, and comforting, true love in marriage requires time, patience, and care. Unlike fleeting sweetness, it demands presence and consistency, qualities that can only come from an emotionally aware and grounded individual.
What makes this debut particularly engaging is the authenticity behind it. Kishor’s own life journey—from joining the Indian Air Force at 17, to experiencing the emotional sacrifices of service, and later navigating diverse cultural landscapes across 34 cities as a banker—provides him with rare and multi-layered perspectives. He has seen relationships tested by distance, strained by duty, and quietly shaped by the cultural fabric of families. These experiences lend credibility to his reflections, making the book feel lived rather than imagined.
Readers will appreciate how Kishor avoids the trap of oversimplifying marriage. He acknowledges that even couples with good intentions and genuine love can falter, not because of lack of effort, but due to unaddressed wounds and blind spots carried from the past. By bringing these hidden dynamics into the light, he empowers readers to reframe marriage not as a fairy tale or a burden, but as a space for growth, truth, and deeper connection.
This book is ideal not only for those preparing for marriage but also for those already in it and seeking to understand the quiet, often invisible, mechanics of their relationship. It encourages introspection rather than external judgment, reminding readers that marriage, at its best, is a journey of shared healing and self-discovery.
Kishor’s debut is a compassionate companion for anyone willing to look beyond surface-level romance into the profound emotional truths that sustain long-lasting bonds. It is not a manual filled with quick fixes—it is a mirror that reflects the raw, unvarnished truths of love, and a map that guides readers toward building marriages that are resilient, meaningful, and deeply nourishing.
Ultimately, Marriage – Where Soup Is Better Than Dessert is less about marriage as an institution and more about marriage as a human experience. It leaves the reader with a quiet yet powerful realization: the strength of any marriage lies not in perfection, but in presence, patience, and the courage to grow together.
Buy Book: https://www.amazon.in/Marriage-Where-Soup-Better-Than-Dessert/dp/9370027971