The Story of Noble Rot

Author : Uzma Aslam Khan

ISBN: 014100567X
Edition: Paperback 
Pages: 232pp

About The Book :

The sweet taste of the wine comes from the muscadelle grape, and the greyish mould that it attracts … The mould is lovingly called pourriture noble, noble rot.

It is the careless abandon of a wine-satiated afternoon that first brings together the imperious Mrs Masood and the humble carpenter's wife, Malika. As she observes the wealthy older woman whose family is responsible for all her troubles, a plan takes shape in Malika's mind—a plan to recover the money Mrs Masood owes her husband, and to rescue her son from slow death in Mr Masood’s carpet factory in Karachi.

Unknown to both women, the moment marks the beginning of a relationship that is to change their lives for ever.

Into the complex web of Malika's plans are drawn Mr Saeed who dwells in his study with his ruby-studded armadillo; the Pathan with the sun-dappled eyes; Momin of the hennaed hands with his love for fish and birds; and Saima with her unpredictable affections and fabulous stories.

Vividly narrated and full of funny yet complex dilemmas, this is a novel about the sweetness of life and about how we inexorably drive ourselves to our own doom. It marks the debut of a gifted storyteller from Pakistan.
 
 
 Press Review(s) for The Story of Noble Rot 
 

'A lush imagination propels an engaging novel of myth and fable.'
—Bapsi Sidhwa

'A novel of great imaginative range and startling images… from a writer we are going to hear a lot more of, and from, in the years to come.'
—Kamila Shamsie, Newsline

'The intriguing title is just a foretaste of a highly original, well-crafted tale that has an additional ingredient: heart. Khan's is a voice to watch out for.'
—The Herald

'…An amusing, shocking, haunting novel. As a debut, it is first rate.'
—The Tribune

'A novel that holds your attention from start to finish with its gentle yet vivid descriptions.'
—Deccan Chronicle

'A brilliantly spun tale… it has an ethereal quality reminiscent of the Tales of Arabian Nights… yet is rooted in reality and realism. Truly, a great writer is born, or should I say discovered?'
—Deccan Herald

'…A gem of a book.'
—Business Standard

'The novel has been exquisitely layered with the fantastic… One just can't get enough.'
—Indian Express

'The novel is a real treat. It is sheer pleasure to go through this gripping account of some ill-starred underdogs…'
—The Independent

'Uzma's writing is neither pretentiously self-conscious nor self-centered, which automatically gives her more range and greater freedom for exploration…she has certainly produced a very promising first novel.'
—Books & Authors, Dawn

About The Author :

Uzma Aslam Khan grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. She is the author of The Story of Noble Rot published by Penguin Books India in 2001. Her new novel Trespassing will be published by Flamingo UK and Penguin Books India in June 2003.

She has taught English language and literature in the US, Morocco and Pakistan. She currently works at an NGO in Lahore, where she lives with her husband.