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oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
What a surprise this was. Each story got progressively more nuanced and immersive. I hestitate to say enjoyable because the subject matter wasn't exactly frothy and light, but the process of reading his precise, clear prose was indeed enjoyable. The reader gets to explore a range of lives, from the very humble and opressed, to the priviledged, rich feudal aristocracy, in their own suffocating world. A glimpse of a Pakistan that isn't often showcased.
serafina_lang's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I enjoyed the first two stories and I appreciated the messaging behind the book. But perhaps because I didn't have enough prior understanding of the themes and discussions focused on in this book the finer sentiments and points went over my head. Another thing is that this is not the type of book I would usually read so maybe I'm just inexperienced in engaging with this style of writing.
I'm not really a fan of these kinds of short stories, while I understand the point was to showcase the everyday lives and experiences of the people in that story, it just felt a little too abrupt for me. I'd finally be getting into the flow of the story and then it would end. The characters felt dull and emotionless. The stories also dragged a little, there was a lot of description and relatively less conversation, the conversations taking place often felt quick and hasty in a way that works perhaps in a film because you can also see what's going on but for a book I feel like it just left me confused as the interactions didn't fully mirror how a real conversation would have taken place.
Maybe again, I didn't engage with the stories properly and wasn't able to connect with the below-surface messaging but for my first read, it was a little boring, confusing and dull. I do want to reread this one day though, so we'll see if my thoughts differ then :)
I'm not really a fan of these kinds of short stories, while I understand the point was to showcase the everyday lives and experiences of the people in that story, it just felt a little too abrupt for me. I'd finally be getting into the flow of the story and then it would end. The characters felt dull and emotionless. The stories also dragged a little, there was a lot of description and relatively less conversation, the conversations taking place often felt quick and hasty in a way that works perhaps in a film because you can also see what's going on but for a book I feel like it just left me confused as the interactions didn't fully mirror how a real conversation would have taken place.
Maybe again, I didn't engage with the stories properly and wasn't able to connect with the below-surface messaging but for my first read, it was a little boring, confusing and dull. I do want to reread this one day though, so we'll see if my thoughts differ then :)
botanigal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
caitgriff's review against another edition
4.0
Masterful writing, tying the stories of 8 individuals around a common thread of place. Some of the stories feel like they're built around some moral lesson or have a clear message to communicate. Others leave you wondering if you've really learned something at all. Yet all of the stories leave an impression.
Docked one star because of a base-level of inaccessibility to the culture and customs of Pakistan to an outsider. I understand that this was not written to hold the hand of Western readers and guide them carefully through the cultural meanings of Uncle, Sahib, Bibi, Sahiba, etc. however it did prove a confusing first foray into the book.
Docked one star because of a base-level of inaccessibility to the culture and customs of Pakistan to an outsider. I understand that this was not written to hold the hand of Western readers and guide them carefully through the cultural meanings of Uncle, Sahib, Bibi, Sahiba, etc. however it did prove a confusing first foray into the book.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
3.0
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is a set of interlinked short stories all centring around the landlord K.K. Houraini. Be it his electrician, helper or a long lost partner. Even when he doesn't feature his influence is there.
These stories serve as snapshots of Pakistani life from the 70's - 90's. Working class, young adult, high class - all walks of life are observed. Some of the stories are funny others are tragic.
As always - not all the stories worked for me and ranged in quality. I did like how they were linked but they were a bit inconsistent.
These stories serve as snapshots of Pakistani life from the 70's - 90's. Working class, young adult, high class - all walks of life are observed. Some of the stories are funny others are tragic.
As always - not all the stories worked for me and ranged in quality. I did like how they were linked but they were a bit inconsistent.
cseibs's review against another edition
Satisfying vignettes of Pakisani lives. Enjoyable as both a cultural and literary experience.
katzreads's review against another edition
1.0
Not the winner, but in the top three for that year. Also a National Book Award finalist--and I HATED it. Stories were sad and depressing and redundant. More than half of them were about a rich man taking advantage of a female servant, and then dying and leaving her with nothing.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
These stories of everyday workers, gardeners, cooks, maids and orphans with roots in rural Pakistan made me feel closer to India than many books. The feudal culture forms as a backdrop, bearing a close resemblance to the British India where there was always a rich man who had so much money that he could give jobs to anyone who wanted to work.
I loved this book because all these stories though disjointed from each other, still felt one. May be it was that every story had a Lord called Harouni with an accountant, a Butler, a driver and a cook. Or may be because all the protagonists come from really humble beginnings in Punjab.
These are stories of a common man wanting to rise up from his humble origin and make something off himself in the world, of rich men falling in love with their mistresses who do not try to take advantage of their positions, of women who love sons of rich fathers such between the Western world they love and the home they can't seem to shake behind.
These stories are also set in a backdrop of affluent Lahore households, not a frequently told side in stories based on post colonial subcontinent.
I loved that there was an attempt to bring the story of a common man living under the patronage of a landlord , a very successful attempt.
The literature is simple, the words roll quickly but say a lot in less.
I loved this book because all these stories though disjointed from each other, still felt one. May be it was that every story had a Lord called Harouni with an accountant, a Butler, a driver and a cook. Or may be because all the protagonists come from really humble beginnings in Punjab.
These are stories of a common man wanting to rise up from his humble origin and make something off himself in the world, of rich men falling in love with their mistresses who do not try to take advantage of their positions, of women who love sons of rich fathers such between the Western world they love and the home they can't seem to shake behind.
These stories are also set in a backdrop of affluent Lahore households, not a frequently told side in stories based on post colonial subcontinent.
I loved that there was an attempt to bring the story of a common man living under the patronage of a landlord , a very successful attempt.
The literature is simple, the words roll quickly but say a lot in less.
tearsinthesea's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the stories despite the low bar of expectations I had. When I first skimmed this book I knew I was in for some explicit parts, I didn’t realise how much it would pace and revolve around almost all of the stories (-1 star for that excess of oversexualisation... trying to hard to engaged the Western audience I think)
As far as the rest of the short interconnected stories are, I do think it paints a vivid picture on how the feudal system goes over in Pakistan. It also previews into the struggles of the servants who are stuck in this sad cycle which isn’t much talked about. Really makes you think!
As far as the rest of the short interconnected stories are, I do think it paints a vivid picture on how the feudal system goes over in Pakistan. It also previews into the struggles of the servants who are stuck in this sad cycle which isn’t much talked about. Really makes you think!