MOTH SMOKE

Mohsin Hamid's novel, part murder mystery and part social commentary, is set against the backdrop of Pakistan's shifting social strata. In the story of Daru Shezad's affair with his best friend's wife, the upper middle class is placed in sharp contrast with the underprivileged. Satya Bhabha has enough vocal dexterity to give the complex plot and scintillating characters the fluidity they need. Bhabha moves deftly between the female and male perspectives, skillfully capturing the story's rapid-fire conversations. Bhabha's ability to convey the dialogue of multiple characters, even differentiating between two or three male characters speaking at once, enhances Hamid's sprawling work. M.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]