Part One - In the Suburbs, Chapter Two Summary

Karim reflects on his father's history. Haroon and his best friend Anwar grew up together in Bombay. In India, they were both from well-off families, growing up with servants and living an aristocratic lifestyle. They hung out with Indian movie stars and went to big parties. Karim recalls that his father once suggested he should become an actor, though he really wants him to become a doctor. Anwar and Haroon were sent to England to be educated. It was a shock to their system. Both the weather and the culture were unlike anything they were used to. Haroon met Margaret at a dance and she fell for his boyish helplessness that triggered a maternal instinct. This reaction was not an uncommon one to Haroon and he exploited it.

Anwar...