Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid is a novel set in Lahore, Pakistan during the late 1990s, focusing on the protagonist Daru Shezad who spirals into poverty, drug abuse, and crime after losing his job at a bank. The story delves into the elite class of Pakistan, exploring themes of class divide, personal downfall, and societal corruption. Through multiple perspectives and alternating narrators, the book paints a vivid picture of Daru's descent into darkness, all within the backdrop of a changing Pakistani society.

The writing style in Moth Smoke is described as beautiful, compelling, and haunting, capturing the melancholy and sadness of the characters' lives. The narrative unfolds with a noir feel, offering sharp observations on contemporary young people in an emerging Muslim country and critiquing the amoral behavior of the elite class. The book is praised for its exploration of addiction, social commentary on Pakistan in the late 1990s, and the author's ability to vividly portray the characters and their struggles.

Characters:

Characters are complex and often unsympathetic, with a focus on their interplay within Lahore's social strata.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is lyrical and employs an experimental style, effectively shifting perspectives to enrich the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around Daru's downfall after losing his job, leading to drug use and crime, with multiple characters providing their perspectives.

Setting:

The setting in Lahore during a politically charged summer is pivotal, showcasing the stark class divides.

Pacing:

While generally fast-paced, the story experiences uneven pacing, with some sections feeling slower.

My cell is full of shadows. Hanging naked from a wire in the hall outside, a bulb casts light cut by rusted bars into thin strips that snake along the concrete floor and up the back wall. People like ...

Notes:

Moth Smoke is Mohsin Hamid's debut novel, published in 2000.

The story is set in Lahore, Pakistan, during the summer of 1998.

The protagonist, Daru, is accused of murder and narrates events leading to his arrest.

Daru's life spirals downwards after losing his job as an investment banker.

The novel intertwines Daru's story with perspectives from other characters, creating a multi-voice narrative.

It explores themes of addiction, class divide, and the political landscape in Pakistan.

The setting includes cultural elements of modern Lahore and the lives of its elite class.

Hamid used this novel as part of his JD thesis at Harvard Law School before it was published.

All character names are inspired by historical figures from the Mughal Empire, specifically Shah Jahan's era.

The book provides a detailed portrayal of four levels of Pakistani culture: the rich elite, middle class, and poor.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include drug use, crime, violence, and themes of moral ambiguity, which are pronounced throughout the novel.

Has Romance?

The book contains a significant romantic subplot involving the protagonist and his best friend's wife.

From The Publisher:

The debut novel from the internationally bestselling author of Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, both shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize

Moth Smoke, Mohsin Hamid's deftly conceived first novel, immediately marked him as an uncommonly gifted and ambitious young literary talent to watch when it was published in 2000. It tells the story of Daru Shezad, who, fired from his banking job in Lahore, begins a decline that plummets the length of Hamid's sharply drawn, subversive tale.

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About the Author:

Mohsin Hamid is the author of the international bestsellers Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, both finalists for the Man Booker Prize. His first novel, Moth Smoke, won the Betty Trask Award and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Foundation…

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Moth Smoke

Mohsin Hamid