In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

By: Daniyal Mueenuddin

Narrated by: Firdous Bamji

Pakistani author Daniyal Mueenuddin, an "elegant stylist with a light touch" ( Publishers Weekly, starred review), crafts eight intricately connected short stories. Each compelling tale revolves around the life and legacy of K. K. Harouni, a wealthy landowner in feudal, corruption-fueled Lahore. In this cutthroat society, a servant girl can immediately gain prestige by seducing a powerful married man - and then lose it just as swiftly.©2009 Daniyal Mueenuddin (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“A remarkable debut by a Punjabi writer who has gained plaudits from Mohsin Hamid and Salman Rushdie. A small book that reveals, in every detail, the extent to which life in Pakistan is dictated as much by whom you know as what you do.” ( The Economist)

“In this labyrinth of power games and exploits, Mueenuddin inserts luminous glimmers of longing, loss and, most movingly, unfettered love.” ( The New York Times)

“ In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is a collection full of pleasures.” ( The Washington Post)

Grim material.

So well written and read. Material is pretty grim. Highly informative. Frankly delivered with no judgment.

Difficult but Intriguing

I tend to like collections of stories that are interwoven, stories in which characters recur, so I enjoyed this book. However, it wasn't an easy or pleasant listening experience. Muyeenuddin is representing a different culture, a harsh one that can be hard for an American to understand or even care about. Some of his characters are downright unlikeable; others are pathetic to the point that they need a good shake--but that is all part of the world this book represents. I feel that I learned a lot about another culture, and about the common humanity that underlies our differences.

Slow reader. I found my mind wondering

What did you like best about this story?

The series of stories were interesting and portrayed varies classes of Pakistan. Each story had a very unique character and station in life - from a mechanic, a companion, a man with his own hut who accounted for little to the police, a young charming wealthy gentleman educated in the US, a 2nd wife etc. All were individuals, how they fit in and their lives were a glimpse of a varied country. The story of the attorney bribing to save the favorite son accused of burning the brothers wife because they stole the father's money was unsettling. The story was told so matter of factly. No hope of justice.

Can't relate to the characters

Read this book for book club, couldn't wait for it to end. Characters very unsympathetic. Can't imagine why this was an award winning book