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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Married at First Sight summary
Gu Lingfei
Enter a World of Secrets and Drama in This Modern Romance
21 mins
Brief summary
Married at First Sight is a captivating book by Gu Lingfei that delves into the unique world of arranged marriages in China. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of love, relationships, and societal expectations.
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Married at First Sight
Summary of 5 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 5
Part 1: An eligible bachelor
Why do people marry? Love is the obvious answer. In Gu Lingfei’s telling, love plays its part, but marriage is also a contract. Power, status, and money are always at stake too. And in Wiltspoon, the town in which our story is set, no one knows that better than Zachary York.
Mr. York, as most people respectfully call him, is the inheritor of a vast family fortune and the head of the city’s largest company – the York Corporation. He’s not only blessed with extravagant wealth; the genetic lottery has also bestowed a tall, athletic frame and chiseled good looks upon him. As the town’s gossip columnists never tire of pointing out, all that makes him Wiltspoon’s most eligible bachelor. But the enigmatic 30-year-old hasn’t just avoided romantic entanglements of his own making – he’s also steadfastly rebuffed admirers.
The Wiltspoonians who read such columns have turned over every stone in their speculations on the causes of Mr. York’s “suspicious” singlehood. Perhaps, as some put it, he “swings for the other team.” Others conjecture that he’s asexual, or impotent, or psychologically disturbed.
No York man has fathered a daughter for generations, yet the family is matriarchal – it’s always been the mothers and grandmothers who ran the show. These days, it’s Grandmother May who calls the shots. It’s time, she says, that Zachary (as she calls him) settled down, married, and had children. All his brothers have already had kids – all of them boys. Zachary is this generation’s last hope to finally add a York girl to the family.
There’s no defying May, so Mr. York agrees – secretly hoping his aloofness will continue to deter potential partners. But he’s out of luck: Grandmother May has already found a match for him.
ANALYSIS
In this first section, we meet the enigmatic Mr. York. The truth about his aloofness, which is hidden from Wiltspoon’s inhabitants but revealed to us, is more prosaic than their wild speculations: Mr. York understands his outward desirability, and that makes him wary of those who desire him. What attracts them, it strikes him, isn’t who he is, but what he has: his power, his status, and his money. This perception has colored his character. He’s a man who can be distrustful to the point of cynicism and self-reliant to the point of loneliness.
But no man is an island. Those who know him best know that his austere and unapproachable exterior disguises a softer, warmer, more obliging interior. The York family is a happy one, and Mr. York is sensitive to the bonds of empathy, loyalty, and duty which connect him to its members. It’s those bonds that set our story in motion.
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What is Married at First Sight about?
Married at First Sight (ongoing) is a 2,300-plus chapter contemporary romance novel. It follows the fortunes of two characters, wealthy Mr. York and independent spirit Serenity Hunt, who enter into a self-declared “marriage of convenience.” As they come to know each other, however, genuine affection begins to grow between them – forcing us to rethink our romantic idealization of love and marriage.
Married at First Sight Review
Married at First Sight (2021) is a thought-provoking book that explores the unconventional journey of finding love through an arranged marriage. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its unconventional premise and real-life stories, it offers a fresh perspective on modern relationships, challenging societal norms.
- The book delivers insights into the complexities of love, compatibility, and commitment, prompting readers to reflect on their own romantic experiences.
- Through the author's honest and introspective approach, readers are drawn into the emotional rollercoaster of the participants, ensuring a captivating read from start to finish.
Who should read Married at First Sight?
- Time-limited romance enthusiasts
- Fans of contemporary fiction
- Anyone who enjoys slow-burning soap operas
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Married at First Sight FAQs
What is the main message of Married at First Sight?
The main message of Married at First Sight is that love and commitment can be found through unconventional means.
How long does it take to read Married at First Sight?
The reading time for Married at First Sight varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Married at First Sight a good book? Is it worth reading?
Married at First Sight is a thought-provoking read that offers insights into modern relationships and the search for love. It's definitely worth reading!
Who is the author of Married at First Sight?
The author of Married at First Sight is Gu Lingfei.
What to read after Married at First Sight?
If you're wondering what to read next after Married at First Sight, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- Getting The Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
- How to Think More About Sex by Alain de Botton
- She Comes First by Ian Kerner
- Marry Him by Lori Gottlieb
- The Art of Love by Ovid
- Smart Sex by Emily Morse
- 100 Ways to Change Your Life by Liz Moody
- Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini