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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Unexpected, thought-provoking, and sad. Good novel that packs an emotional wallop.
A quick and easily readable book. The protagonist tells his bi-cultural story to an unnamed stranger at a teahouse in Lahore. The issues of bi-culturalism and the difficulties that are inherent are described in an easy, conversational manner. I was taken in by Changez's story and manner of speaking. The tension builds as he lets you in on his honest feelings and the book ends with questions that must be faced.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had trouble putting this down - an evocative and thought provoking view of American exceptionalism and the relationship of America to the world as told through a highly personal story.
This book was a bit of a disappointment. The anti-American sentiments expressed by the main character were not very original or interesting. I also did not like the format of the story.
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a fast and gripping read!! I felt like it had a good balance of social commentary while still maintaining an engaging plot.
Presented in the first person throughout, this “conversation” with an anonymous American in Lahore depicts Changez, a highly educated and successful Pakistani who becomes disillusioned and hostile to America following the 9/11 attacks. The speed and extent of his change in views is rapid, and this stretches plausibility. It is also not clear where his beliefs come from which so quickly replace those beliefs or principles which allowed him to work in the American financial sector in the first place. Nevertheless a very clever and attractive read, which has a strong “voice”.
Been meaning to read this since it was shortlisted for The Booker a few years ago and I wasn't disappointed. A novella - beautifully written and an interesting insight into the dilemma experienced by Muslims living and working in the US around the period of 9/11.
A very good read. This sits on my top shelf of my home library, where my favorites sit. I love the way the narrative is told. It's like you're sitting down and the main character, Changez, and he's having a conversation with you. As a result, throughout the book, there are little asides from him which give you details as to the kind of person the main character is speaking to--the kind of person we, the readers are being implicated as. This book is a brilliant commentary on the nature of the massive shift in treatment towards middle-eastern and west-Asian individuals (and anyone who looks like them) after 9/11 in the US. It discusses the animosity towards the main character from white Americans and the lack of complete acceptance from his lover. It discusses his role in corporate America, how his job shapes him and informs him. The development through Changez character even as he himself is telling the story is so marked and powerful--from someone who really believes in the power of American business and making money, to someone who sees corporate America as predatory and cruel. And the twist at the ending is very well executed. Hamid only pulls punches at first in his criticism so he can make them sharper and more powerful later in the book. The main plot and the frame story are masterfully executed, you can see the care that went into it. And it's not a slow read, either. It's very engaging and snappy, so tightly woven in many respects.
I'm not a big fan of the (sort of?) romance piece of the plot in this book, though. Trigger warning: there's a point in it where consent isn't clearly disclosed. Is it violent? Not really. Is is problematic and unsettling? Yes. I mean, Erica literally cries at one point and Changez, to my recollection, doesn't even acknowledge her crying. It was both weird narratively and made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Is it problematic that this is still one of my favorite books? Maybe. I enjoyed the book dispite that particular scene, not because of it. It was just. Weird. And it doesn't do the characters justice, in my opinion, to leave it so vague, to not address the possible trauma of the situation. And I say this as a survivor. It doesn't help that her name is Erica, she's kind of enigmatic, a lacking a little depth, and if you just put A-M in front... it could be that she's being used as more of a symbol, and that's not generally a trope I appreciate. Women are not symbols, they are people and deserve to be represented as such. We live in different times from when this was published, and these are still things I wouldn't feel comfortable ignoring in a review.
I'm not a big fan of the (sort of?) romance piece of the plot in this book, though. Trigger warning: there's a point in it where consent isn't clearly disclosed. Is it violent? Not really. Is is problematic and unsettling? Yes. I mean, Erica literally cries at one point and Changez, to my recollection, doesn't even acknowledge her crying. It was both weird narratively and made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Is it problematic that this is still one of my favorite books? Maybe. I enjoyed the book dispite that particular scene, not because of it. It was just. Weird. And it doesn't do the characters justice, in my opinion, to leave it so vague, to not address the possible trauma of the situation. And I say this as a survivor. It doesn't help that her name is Erica, she's kind of enigmatic, a lacking a little depth, and if you just put A-M in front... it could be that she's being used as more of a symbol, and that's not generally a trope I appreciate. Women are not symbols, they are people and deserve to be represented as such. We live in different times from when this was published, and these are still things I wouldn't feel comfortable ignoring in a review.