Daniyal Mueenuddin's first collection of short stories, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders, straddles both east and west, rural and urban, upper and lower class, just as the author has in his own life. In other rooms, other wonders . Three. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. Even this author, is a Pakistani-American rather than a native Pakistani. Normally the glowing endorsements on the back and inside cover of every publication should be taken in the same spirit as any other kind of advertising-speak. Harouni, and each of the stories describes Pakistan's complicated feudal system from the perspective of the characters-- Harouni's friends and acquaintances, his subordinates, and his relatives. A complete short story from In Other Rooms, Other Wonders..... Saleema. In particular, it focuses on the stories of women. Sign up for out Email Newsletter and stay up to date on all current events at the Poetry Center. Two stories are set amongst the upper class members of the Harouni family and the rest are about lowly-paid. Harouni's massive land holdings, makes one mistake: he takes a risk for love. Nawabdin electrician -- Saleema -- Provide, provide -- About a burning girl -- In other rooms, other wonders -- Our Lady of Paris -- Lily -- A spoiled man. A common thread is a wealthy landowner named K.K. The sense of vulnerability we see in brief flashes—while describing his house, the judge says, “ …our greatest fear is that someone senior to me will see it and covet it and take it”—is futile; what choice does this man have but to partake in the unjust system around him? PDF Book Cover--In Other Rooms, Other Wonders Published Aug 1, 2009 Main Article Content. But here I am, sorely tempted to pinch all those words from the blurb, because in this case they are all so true. The author has lived in both Pakistan and the U.S. and currently lives on his family farm in Pakistan. I really enjoyed this collection, even if, at about the halfway point, the stories seem to revolve around women who try to climb socially by marrying rich Pakistani men. The notion of the American Dream, the idea that one can make what he wants of himself in this country, exists in the negative space of the collection for an American audience...as a concept worthy of our consideration. Three of the stories cover the same ground - a desperate 'maid' winning the affections of the 'master', and enjoying the benefits but left without a bean when he dies. The characters will stay with me for a long time. Harouni, the linchpin of this linked collection, explains his reason for choosing America as the place he’d most like to have been born. Mueenuddin’s background leaves him poised to convey in this collection of fiction, written in English, a unique perspective of both the cultural overlap and the chasm between contemporary Pakistani and American societies. Most of these stories are not stories. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is partly an exploration into the harsh realities of a modern-day society still bound by class. Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this In Other Rooms, Other Wonders study guide. In his book In Other Rooms, Other Wonders, Daniyal Mueenuddin depicts the pursuit of happiness in Pakistan, a society marked by feudalism. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers! This Study Guide consists of approximately 60 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. The narrator, a sessions judge in the Lahore High Court, professes his venality almost too completely and obtusely for realism. Mueenuddin weaves a sincere sense of place, as well as a fascinating look at the dynamics between people. This narrative choice is used to create a portrait of several characters that stands apart from the more complex and multi-dimensional characterization of the other stories and, at moments, feels more like caricature than realistic portrayal. It's also cool to see a male author write stories from a female POV. Harouni, a rich landlord in the Punjab area of Pakistan, though he figures as a protagonist in only one of the eight interconnected stories. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders Summary In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin Passing from the mannered drawing rooms of Pakistan's cities to the harsh mud villages beyond, Daniyal Mueenuddin's linked stories describe the interwoven lives of an aging feudal landowner, his servants and managers, and his extended family, industrialists who have lost touch with the land. Harouni. 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