by Daniyal MueenuddinW.W. Norton & CompanyI
~ Review in Halifax Herald, February 2009
In this linked collection of stories, Daniyal Mueenuddin gives us a private viewing into parallel worlds of great wealth and great poverty, and the corruption and thievery that is intrinsic to both.
K. K. Harouni is a feudal landowner whose favours to those dependent on him are dispensed generously and thoughtlessly. They are withdrawn just as easily, with sometimes calamitous results. But his wealth is old money, and times are changing in Pakistan. These stories tell of Harouni’s household, his family and staff, and the villagers who depend on him for their survival.
In A Spoiled Man, Rezak has been cast out by his family. When a servant intercedes on his behalf, he is hired to ensure the American wife’s orchard is kept watered. He cannot believe his fortune. He is happy - until he falls victim to events and is powerless to influence the outcome. This is a theme that repeats itself throughout these stories.
Saleem becomes involved with Rafik, Harouni’s personal retainer. Although much older, he provides her safety and she comes to love him dearly. When his family arrives from his village, honour and tradition win out and Saleem is put aside. Without protection, ‘within two year, she is finished.’
Mueenuddin’s writing is measured, gentle. He takes the time to set the stage, making sure that we, his readers, have the background necessary to see the texture, to understand the intricacies of the tapestry unfolding on the page. His portrayal of corruption and the manipulation it feeds, and the powerlessness of poverty is woven through these stories as rich and poor alike jockey to better position themselves.
What Mueenuddin does very well is put this in context. He places his characters at the forefront, where they indulge in acts of thoughtless cruelty intertwined within the beauty of kindness and love. He castes no judgements. This is a wonderful debut collection and presents to us the rich landscape of an ancient, diverse culture that is uneasily changing.
Daniyal Mueenuddin studied law at Yale and worked as a lawyer in New York City. He now manages a farm in Pakistan. This is his first book.
