The Dohmestics

by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar

Edna, Amira, and Noof are neighbors but that doesn't mean they know what happens behind closed doors or that they have anything in common with their hired help.

Maria, Maya, and Lillie live in the same compound as their employers but that's where the similarities begin and end.

There's never a dull moment for anyone in this desert emirate.

The unending gossip and unrelenting competition may be business as usual for expatriate communities but the unspoken secrets threaten to destroy life as everyone knows it.

Genres: Fiction

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2012

About the author

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a South Asian American novelist, educator, and scholar who has lived in Qatar since 2005. Her coming of age novel, An Unlikely Goddess, won the SheWrites New Novelist competition in 2011.

Her recent books have focused on various aspects of life in Qatar. From Dunes to Dior, named as a Best Indie book in 2013, is a collection of essays related to her experiences as a living in the Arabian Gulf. Love Comes Later was the winner of the Best Indie Book Award for Romance in 2013 and is a literary romance set in Qatar and London.

The Domestics is an inside look into compound life, the day-to-day dynamics between housemaids and their employers. Learn more about her work on her website at www.mohadoha.com or follow her latest on Twitter: @moha_doha.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a really absorbing read and a compelling portrait of daily life for ordinary people in the Middle East, in this instance Qatar. Having just come back from a visit to friends in Abu Dhabi, where I assume many of the same conditions prevail, I recognised many aspects of everyday life and atmosphere, and the story felt very authentic.
The story concerns six very different women who have by chance ended up in a typical Gulf States gated compound where they live a privileged life with the help of maids and other compound workers. But in spite of their relative wealth the women have their own problems and setbacks to deal with and as the story plays out the reader realises that privilege is always only relative.
The novel is an insider’s view of what often seems to a western reader an alien culture but one which becomes more comprehensible as the story develops. I particularly enjoyed the small details, like descriptions of going to the mall with the maid in tow trying to control the spoilt child, driving on roads surrounded by impatient drivers, how taking off an abaya or putting one on to leave the house is just routine and not some strange ritual Much in the manner of The Help, the lives of the maids is very effectively described, and certainly the reader’s heart goes out to them. So all in all this is a very enjoyable and illuminating novel indeed and well worth reading to gain an insight into the culture of the Gulf States. .

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one (there were a few typos but nothing too bad). I was on the edge of my seat over Maria & she is easily my favorite character. Edna, Amira & Noof were well done too & Mohammed was the most seen husband. I wanted to feel more outrage at John but I never had much of a sense of him though his actions played heavily into the story. I don't want to give anything away but I will say this was a very engaging look at the employers & domestics in this little compound. I felt for the domestics & I think it's no mistake that the mere mention of handing over one's passport to an agency or employer, just raises panic in me. I felt that these women were practically indentured servants & it was clear from Maria to Lillie that their fates were much determined by the morality & conscience of their employers & the agency for which they worked. I look forward to reading more from the author.

[Michelle Cornwell-Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dohmestics was a beautiful novel. I will say that I have read other works by this author, and have always been mesmerized by the intricate care that she takes in weaving her tales. The Dohmestics was no different:) The story follows six women, three are maids and nannies with the other three their employers. The story details the relationship amongst the women who come from varying socio-economic status as well as different barriers involving race and ethics.

As always Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar gives a inside view of a culture, reflecting the ups and downs of a people who love, hate and are trying to live their daily loves as triumphantly as possible.

The Dohmestics was extremely well written,with wonderful details that caused the characters to be full and rich, making them seem alive on the page. Rajakumar is a master at digging into the depth of the culture she is revealing, creating an experience which is entertaining as well as educational.

The story was built with care, never lagging, but flowing poetically drawing the reader further into each page.

Beautifully written, pleasant pacing, an engrossing treat.

I fully recommend The Dohmestics as a must read!

[Judy Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

📍 Qatar 🇶🇦
📖 The Dohmestics
🖊 Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar

I read this book for Qatar as part of my read around the world challenge.

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book and really couldn’t put it down for the last half. I found it reminiscent of “The Help” in that the story is about domestic workers in Qatar and their employers. Pretty much all domestic workers in Qatar are from Asia - Sri Lanka, Philippines, India, Bangladesh - and many suffer abuse at the hands of their employers. My heart ached at how they were treated in this story because I imagine this is a reality for many of them.
The book also explores the lives of expats living on their compound in Doha and how isolating it can be.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Qatar as my son lives and works there. It’s a beautiful, rich, hot, dry, interesting country. The Souk (marketplace) is a huge draw for locals and tourists alike. I’ve included some pictures from my trip in 2016.
I’m also excited to be planning a trip there for 2022 when Qatar hosts The FIFA World Cup. ⚽️
If you’re reading around the world and you need a book for Qatar, I would recommend this one.

[Lissette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life in the compound Maria lives in is never boring. There's a multitude of people to talk to, as well as children to take care. For her, this is a normal way of life, and she wouldn't have things any other way. After all, it allows her to bring food to the table in order to provide her family with their every need. In her eyes, she has everything she could ever ask for and more.

When Maria begins experiencing things she never imagined, life starts taking a different turn. She's not quite sure as to what's wrong with her, and she's afraid of confiding in someone for fear of losing her livelihood. She's come too far in order to lose everything now. Yet she can't help but to wonder as to whether her recent ailments are a precursor to the unthinkable. A new child means another mouth to feed, something she can't quite afford right now. On the other hand, her health might be in question.

Determined to make the most of the situation at hand, Maria keeps quiet about the goings-on within her body. In her mind's eye, she hopes that in doing so no one else will take notice of her odd behavior. Unfortunately, that's just wishful thinking. Eyes soon slowly turn her way, and questions arise. Questions, she realizes, she has no proper answer to. Yet when the tables are turned, and someone else's livelihood comes into play, Maria comes to the realization that her life isn't as bad as it seems.

A thought-provoking story, the reader becomes immersed in the lives of several women as they make do with the lots they've been dealt in life. While their ways of life might not be ideal for some, they've learned to coexist in a society that dictates when, where, and how they must live. Full of hope and the need to make the best of their worlds, these women interact with one another each and every day, never once realizing just how different they are from one another. Until the very moment when one of their own changes her very circumstance, only then can they truly see just how different they are.

Mohanalakshmi weaves a tale that pulls at your heartstrings, and makes you think about things you never thought you would. For most of us, we're comfortable with the lives we live. We have everything we could ever ask for and more. Yet there are those of us who are not accorded that privilege. We must continuously to strive in making our worlds a better place in hopes of making ends meet for our loved ones. Sometimes, it's not possible for us to have the home and lives we wish for, thus making do with what we've got. Yet there's always a silver lining behind every dark cloud, a theme Mohanalakshmi injects throughout every page of her story.

[Liz Terek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six women live in the same gated community. Three are women of means. Three serve them. This poignant tale crosses racial, socio-economic, & moral barricades.
Our first trio- Edna, Amira, & Noof- are well-off & mostly utilize their time fretting over their families & their help. Maria, Lillie, & Maya run these households as maids & nannies.
Edna is the neutral party. Currently without ‘help’, her main concern is her husband’s fidelity. Noof fears the same, but us kind to her nanny/maid Maria & tries to help her. Amira on the other hand has a nasty temper with her aide, Maya. Maya is treated more like a slave than hired help. Lillie floats from home to home while supplementing her income in more shady lines of work.
All 6 have issues. The wealthy fret over keeping up appearances while the help desire to send money home to their own families. When disaster hits within the tight-knit walls of the community, there’s a ripple that affects all six- with devastating results. Join in the story to laugh & cry with these unique ladies!
Fabulous from start to finish, there isn’t a thing that I didn’t love about ‘The Dohmestics’. Each of the women is vastly extraordinary yet entirely believable. From a plot standpoint, it is fresh & original. I want to stand up & cheer that we finally have a book for women that doesn’t involve impossible romantic situations or shopping addictions! This is a book about women that you’ll want to recommend to your friends. I sure did.
It is absolutely clean & any risky scenes are more implied than described. Its proof that a book can be written that will appeal to a majority of women of all ages. An absolute ‘must read’ 5 star novel, it’ll be perfect for summertime reading and/or book clubs. I’m confident that you’ll love it as I did.
I received 1 eBook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a remarkably well written novel. I appreciated how the author does not waste a great deal of time on extraneous descriptions. She sets the scene remarkably well, but also leaves room for the reader to use their imagination to help build this world.

It was also quite unique with an extremely intriguing premise. It is a very different outlook on life and was very interesting to read about. The author takes the lives of many individuals in multiple classes and shows their interactions and reactions to one another in a very entertaining manner. This is extra interesting because there is a veritable melting pot of character types and nationalities within this novel that all fit together to create an unforgettable story. She also switches perspective between the characters to help illustrate this and to give the reader a great deal of detail and information that would otherwise be possible. She also did so quite smoothly and clearly.

There is a rather large cast of characters in this novel, but you get to know each and every one of them as an individual. It is also a multicultural cast of characters with interracial families that all live together in relative harmony. Rajakumar takes the time to develop each character separately. They each possess qualities that tie them directly to their cultural origin, while also being the individual who lives within this community.

I found it very refreshing to read about such a different outlook on life. It really made me think. Above all, however, this novel kept me entertained throughout.

Please note that I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Aya Walksfar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm more of the blood and guts kind of reader, but when I was given an opportunity to read The Dohmestics I took it. And, I am glad that I did.
This thought-provoking book hooked me right from the first page. On the surface, it appears to be about six women whose lives intertwine, three are privileged women and three are their servants. But, there is so much more to this book.
It pulled me into a culture and then used that culture as a vehicle to explore the relationships and dynamics between the privileged and the poverty-stricken; between workers and employees; between men and women; between power and corruption. I was taken on a journey that challenged me to not only understand this foreign culture, but to view my own with enlightened eyes.
I loved how it took a small decision and traced the ripples of that decision to its' tragic end. But even in tragedy there existed an opportunity for people to shine, to rise above all that limits them and to reach out to each other.
This book took me from anger to sadness to strength. Quite the journey, and one I highly recommend.

[Pragya · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

I digged in since I loved ‘The Help’ but oh well, it is completely different from that one. So full points for originality but none when it comes to me liking the book.

Unlike a closely bound story, this book is more scattered in terms of characters and their various experiences. I couldn't get my head around it. It gives an insider’s view into the lives of families and their maids and what goes on in their daily life.

I got a bit confused with keeping track of the characters but as I always say, I am ADD so it may not happen to you. The book doesn’t have a huge list of characters anyhow.

It’s a slow moving book that shows the relation between high-class couples, employer and their maid and the relationship between maids.

There are a lot of emotions involved – from desperation to future aims to sorrow. The book ends on a sad note.

This book was too scattered and slow for me to make any sense of it. Also, I think the plot was too weak.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what an eye-opening experience this book was. The peek into the lives of the wives, nannies, and servants of another culture. In California, particularly my house, the idea of having a live in maid/chef/nanny is a dream many a new mother has, but then reality sets in and she moves on. While some people might have a live in nanny to help with children when both parents work, since it’s about the same or cheaper than full time daycare, we tend to treat them as members of the family. This view of the position of a maid/nanny is very different.

Each of the women in this story show a different side to the same story. The story is told in a quasi-omniscient form so that we could see what two of the main character think and act.

I found it an interesting look into the “help” in a new light. I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

[Lena Liberato]

"The Dohmestics", which I got from Goodreads, was, for me, one of the nicest surprises this year. I really enjoyed the book and the way it is written. Among other things, it gave me a glimpse of a completely different way of life in a world thousands of miles away (and not only literally...) from the world I know and have always lived in, seen mostly from the women's point of view. I had never read anything by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar before but now I am so looking forward to finding another book written by her. Thank you so much, Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, for all the enjoyment it has been "spying" on the lives of Emma, Noof, Amira, Rosa, Maya, Lillie, and all the other secondary characters that have become, in some way, part of my life as well!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dohmestics is an easy and enjoyable read. It offers a glimpse into the lives of women in a gulf state, particularly 3 domestic servants and 3 "madams" and explored the issues of public and private, of "home", relationships between women and between women and their home help. The author focused on a number of contemporary issues facing women, not only in the gulf, but her story telling is engaging and entertaining, never heavy. Recommended.

[Brandon Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent read. The story follows the life of maids interacting with high class society. There are plenty of emotion along the way, and gossip as well. The amount of characters to follow made the story somewhat confusing as it moved in a slower pace. Overall, a decent read and I see a lot of potential from the author.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating view of life on a compound for ex-patriots in, presumably, Doha, Qatar. The novel entwines the stories of three ladies-of-the-house and three maids, domestic workers imported from South Asia. In the beginning it's just interesting to read about the trivial daily concerns of these women, but by the end the drama is fairly gripping, or was for me.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

disjointed -- in need of editing
Edna, Amira, and Noof are neighbors but that doesn't mean they know what happens behind closed doors or that they have anything in common with their hired help.

Maria, Maya, and Lillie live in the same compound as their employers but that's where the similarities begin and end.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at daily lives of ex-pat women and their domestic help living in company compounds in Doha. The general treatment of the Filipino and Sri Lankan maids is disturbing.