Reviews

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

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itshassan's review against another edition

4.0

While I do like a uncertain mysterious ending, I didn't like how the author tried to wrap up everything at the last chapter instead of giving it the same amount of attention as he gave to all the chapters before it. Although now that I have typed that, I realize that could be because the protagonist in the book considered that section as a better and important expression of himself than the last chapter. Or maybe it's the way the story's intensity is paced? Idk. I did enjoy the book though

ungildedlily's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

chrys_marin's review

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4.0

Really well written and an engaging story. Definitely makes you think and draws you in. A beautiful story.

sweetbeetle's review against another edition

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3.0

`I saw that in this constant striving to realize a financial future, no thought was given to the critical personal and political issues that affect one's emotional present.'

A sort of slow take on losing faith in the promise of the rightous American big brother. The main character goes from enjoying the American dream without much critical thought until the aftermath of 9/11 starts to affect his own life...

In some sense, a very classic male narrated story. The character in the current timeline seems sort of all-knowing and arrogant. He tells about his life before 9/11 where he was super successful, but also naive, rarely thinking about politics (or how his actions affects others). Then 9/11 happens and he starts feeling a lot of feelings he doesn't have a language for, his emotions build up. This lasts a while, until almost in the end he

abruptly changes his course of life

and becomes this strangely arrogant character he is the current timeline.

The last part should have his character explain his viewpoints and perhaps greater political ideas, but this part is very short, the ideas are scattered and thin. The story does not offer much insight into the future the character envisions, only that Pakistan cannot trust that America has its back in a war against India, and therefore Pakistan should become more politically independent. It unclear to me if the character has nationalistic tendencies. Maybe I am a bad reader, but I feel the book didn't give much in terms of providing new ideas, good observations or clarity in the overall message. Even the emotional part, feelings creeping up on you slowly and changing your outlook on life, was stale.

Overall, everything was just alright, it was easy to read, engaging in some ways and it has a Norwegian Wood-type love-story added in the mix. I didn't hate it despite my harsh review, but it certainly had room for improvement.

Content Warnings

kerameia's review

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5.0

I don't think there is much that I say about this book that has not already been said in numerous positive reviews (one from The New Yorker that I think aptly sums up this story: "[A] lucid, unsettling novel"). What I will say is that I enjoyed it far more immensely than I thought I would, and there are several qualities that especially drew me into the story and compelled me to finish it in a matter of days.

I love(d) the narrative style whereby the protagonist, Changez, speaks to you the reader and draws you into both the present day (sitting with him at a cafe in Old Anarkali and basking in the waning evening) and into the tender and intimate memories of his recent past (establishing himself in New York). Changez easily weaves between casual observations of the present surroundings and of you, the American...visitor?...and stories of his time in New York as an up-and-coming self-made man. Throughout and towards the end of the story you feel properly wined and dined (kabob-ed and tea-ed is perhaps more appropriate?); you adopt the implied apprehension and nervousness of the listener as the night progresses.

I also love Changez's voice, which I think strongly conveys his character without actually or physically describing him. The reader imagines what he must be like based on how he phrases things: keen observer, a sensitive soul with a touch of nostalgia, reflective and philosophical, honorable. Some favorite lines:
-"Ah, I see I have alarmed you. Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America" (p.1)
-"Will you give him something? No? Very wise; one ought not to encourage beggars, and yes, you are right, it is far better to donate to charities that address the causes of poverty rather than to him, a creature who is merely its symptom. What am I doing? I am handing him a few rupees--misguidedly, of course, and out of habit" (p.40)
-"The confession that implicates its audience is--as we say in cricket--a devilishly difficult ball to play. Reject it and you slight the confessor; accept it and you admit your own guilt" (p.70)

The interweaving story lines of Changez's self-realization and development as a Pakistani man in New York and his evolving relationship with Erica are poignant and brilliantly telling. You don't expect much from a seemingly common man's sharing of his personal story. Yet once he begins to unearth his memories, it's as though a window opens into the human experience of what it means to be caught in the middle between two cultures and to be caught up in a relationship with someone who's rooted in the past. Fascinating and also sad in the realization of what is vs. what is hoped for.

These are the aspects that most stood out for me, but there are several other bits that could be mentioned. I highly recommend this book.
(As an aside, titles similar to it in terms of narration & story that I also loved are Life of Pi, Memoirs of a Geisha, The In-Between World of Vikram Lall, & Boy's Life)