Moth Smoke

Brought to you by Penguin.

Discover this surprising gem - the sharp, funny and irresistible debut novel from the bestselling author of Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalist

''You know you''re in trouble when you can''t meet a woman''s eye, particularly if the woman happens to be your best friend''s wife...''

In Lahore, Daru Shezad is a junior banker with a hashish habit. When his old friend Ozi moves back to Pakistan, Daru wants to be happy for him. Ozi has everything: a beautiful wife and child, an expensive foreign education - and a corrupt father who bankrolls his lavish lifestyle.

As jealousy sets in, Daru''s life slowly unravels. He loses his job. Starts lacing his joints with heroin. Becomes involved with a criminally-minded rickshaw driver. And falls in love with Ozi''s lonely wife.

But how low can Daru sink? Is he guilty of the crime he finds himself on trial for?

''Subtly audacious . . . A steamy and often darkly amusing book about sex, drugs, and class warfare in postcolonial Asia'' Village Voice

© Mohsin Hamid 2000 (P) Penguin Audio 2022