Hot Water Man by Deborah Moggach

By Tannaz Allaway  on Wednesday 17 January 2007

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A thoughtful and clever tale of East meets West

Donald Manley and his feminist wife Christine swap Crouch End for Karachi in this stylish tale of mistaken identity set in Seventies Pakistan.

The story follows the couple and their new social circle of ex-pats living in a new world far removed from the ones they're used to.

While his wife focuses on on getting pregnant and adjusting to her new (and seemingly limited) lifestyle, Donald, who works for a pharmaceutical company that manufactures the Pill, distracts himself by seeking out his family history – with surprising results.

At the same time Duke, an all-American property developer, has a passionate affair with a much younger woman, his Muslim colleague Shamine. The question is, should the affair – or even, can it – continue?

Seen through English, American and Pakistani eyes, the story considerately explores ideas of memory, identity and belief. There are plenty of twists in the plot and – dare I say it – a final cliffhanger to keep you gripped all the way through (and beyond) this thought-provoking and cleverly-written novel.

Hot Water Man (£7.99, Vintage) is out now

****

Review by Tannaz Allaway

Release date: Wednesday 17 January 2007

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