In Other Rooms, Other Wonders (Jill)
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders
By Daniyal Mueenuddin
Completed March 14, 2010
Daniyel Mueenuddin’s debut short story collection is certainly worthy of its accolades, including finalist for the National Book Award, Publisher’s Weekly Best Books and New York Times Notable Book of the Year. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders offers its readers a glimpse into modern-day Pakistan through short stories woven with a common thread – the characters’ relationship with the feudal leader, Harouni. While it’s a modern rendition, the antiquity of the Pakistani feudal system provides an important contrast to readers.
Mueenuddin exposes all types of characters – the privileged, the poor; the hard-working, the lazy; the conniving, the honest. It seems apparent from these stories that the poor people are the ones who suffer the most. And this is especially true of the women who slave, cook, fornicate, procreate, do drugs – whatever it takes to climb out of their miserable caste. Sadly, despite their efforts, they end up worse off than before.
The stories within In Other Rooms, Other Wonders show the struggles of position, wealth and gender within Pakistani culture. The poor struggle to get ahead; the rich struggle to maintain their power. Sometimes, there is a power shift. Mostly though, it’s a sad ending for all involved.
Mueenuddin’s style reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri, and fans of her writing should check out In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. The opportunities to learn more about Pakistan are vast, but equally importantly, the elucidation of characters who transport time and place offer much for the reader to think about. ( 
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