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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
How strange to see the U.S. through the eyes of a young, intelligent Pakistani man. This book was a one-sided conversation, where Changez tells an American of his time in the States. His girlfriend, Erica (symbolizing AmERICA, no?) seemed perfect from the outside, but is deeply broken beneath the facade. Underwood Sampson (U.S, got that?) is painfully elitist and narrowminded in their focus on financial gain. Despite saying all the right things, these characters representing the United States nonetheless reject Changez (ohhh, reject CHANGES, I get it).
Anyway, SPOILER TIME....I believe that the "American businessman" that Changez is talking to the entire time is working WITH the creepy waiter and they corner Changez and murder him at the end. They believe he is a terrorist and do not give a rats ass that he has a heart of gold. That is the only thing that makes sense: there are numerous references to the "businessman" having a gun, and no way Changez is capable of murdering anyone.
Quick read, interesting perspective, loved the story of Changez while he was in the U.S.
Anyway, SPOILER TIME....I believe that the "American businessman" that Changez is talking to the entire time is working WITH the creepy waiter and they corner Changez and murder him at the end. They believe he is a terrorist and do not give a rats ass that he has a heart of gold. That is the only thing that makes sense: there are numerous references to the "businessman" having a gun, and no way Changez is capable of murdering anyone.
Quick read, interesting perspective, loved the story of Changez while he was in the U.S.
Just finished the audiobook... i actually found myself taking the mp3 player out of the car to keep listening a few times.
More like 3.5/5 ... Captivating, yet stilted at times. I enjoyed the plot much more than the narration.
This was a fascinating read for me. While some of the protagonist's views were shocking, especially in regard to 9-11, I found myself understanding where he was coming from. I may not have always liked what he had to say, but isn't that what happens when someone holds a mirror up in front of your face and forces you to take a harsh look at reality?
For someone living in a post 9-11 society and remembers all too well the harsh reactions to people from the Middle East after the attacks, this book provides so much insight and perspective of those that were discriminated against. I found it very thought-provoking and would consider it a must read for anyone open-minded (so they could understand what Hamid is saying here and not see it as just an offensive and biased text) or wanting a perspective that is often forgotten about or overlooked.
This will definitely lead to reading more Pakistani literature.
For someone living in a post 9-11 society and remembers all too well the harsh reactions to people from the Middle East after the attacks, this book provides so much insight and perspective of those that were discriminated against. I found it very thought-provoking and would consider it a must read for anyone open-minded (so they could understand what Hamid is saying here and not see it as just an offensive and biased text) or wanting a perspective that is often forgotten about or overlooked.
This will definitely lead to reading more Pakistani literature.
Enjoyed it, probably won't read again but I do reccomend.
‘A Pakistani and an American walk into a cafe’ sounds like the start of a bad and inadvisable joke. It is also, slightly erroneously, the basic plot for this short but punchy novel. Changez is that annoyingly garrulous man who sits down at your table whilst on holiday and prevents you from reading or people-watching, instead regaling you with his life story whilst you struggle to get a word in edgeways. It has happened to me most notably in Sri Lanka and Thailand and, after my initial frustration, has resulted in some truly wonderful encounters.
The encounter that Hamid shares with us, is narrated solely through Changez’s disarmingly charming and loquacious monologue with an unnamed and silent American interlocutor. We learn very little about the recipient of this narrative, but a huge deal (or do we?) about Changez. From his childhood in a decaying family home in Lahore, to studying at Princeton, through to his meteoric rise in the world of high finance and his doomed love affair with a haunted but beautiful American woman, Changez’s story is rich, compelling and powerful in its own right. And yet, Hamsid’s genius in this novel is the unspoken but ubiquitous presence of a larger global narrative tension simmering beneath and betwixt his protagonist’s unfolding story. There are subtle intrusions into Changez’s biography suggestive of an unacknowledged political unease lying between the two men: of the post-911 conflict between East and West. There is ominous foreshadowing throughout, hints at a lurking paranoia and shadowy intentions. Something is certainly not what it seems between the two men (and even within Changez’s story) and Hamid cleverly invites the reader the space to fill these ambiguous gaps with their own expectations, prejudices and cultural values. It is a taut and restrained achievement, but one with an absorbing sensuousness and poise throughout.
Part-allegory, part-character study, this formally inventive novella is a provocative read and one I consumed in two sittings, sadly without the accompaniment of tea or jalebis. It is a powerful work that can be read and discussed on multiple levels. Highly recommended.
The encounter that Hamid shares with us, is narrated solely through Changez’s disarmingly charming and loquacious monologue with an unnamed and silent American interlocutor. We learn very little about the recipient of this narrative, but a huge deal (or do we?) about Changez. From his childhood in a decaying family home in Lahore, to studying at Princeton, through to his meteoric rise in the world of high finance and his doomed love affair with a haunted but beautiful American woman, Changez’s story is rich, compelling and powerful in its own right. And yet, Hamsid’s genius in this novel is the unspoken but ubiquitous presence of a larger global narrative tension simmering beneath and betwixt his protagonist’s unfolding story. There are subtle intrusions into Changez’s biography suggestive of an unacknowledged political unease lying between the two men: of the post-911 conflict between East and West. There is ominous foreshadowing throughout, hints at a lurking paranoia and shadowy intentions. Something is certainly not what it seems between the two men (and even within Changez’s story) and Hamid cleverly invites the reader the space to fill these ambiguous gaps with their own expectations, prejudices and cultural values. It is a taut and restrained achievement, but one with an absorbing sensuousness and poise throughout.
Part-allegory, part-character study, this formally inventive novella is a provocative read and one I consumed in two sittings, sadly without the accompaniment of tea or jalebis. It is a powerful work that can be read and discussed on multiple levels. Highly recommended.
I started this book this morning than i had a class and was done by 11. I have not read a books so fast in a very longtime. Only 3 hours. Reluctant fundamentalist is very simply written to convey a very difficult time.
This book has two things; a Pakistani trying to identify himself, his stance and his identity when everything he is and where he comes from is snubbed and looked down upon. This book is not much of a religious struggle than it is a struggle of a man whose fundamentals are changing. Like many Pakistani's being a Muslim is something that we are born not exactly very concerned about to live up to, Changez is like that, someone with dreams, wit, respect for hierarchy, but his morals religiously speaking would more than questionable. Than something catastrophic happens and he tries to keep himself aloof from it. That proves to be impossible because of the paranoia, because the general change of stance of masses towards those who were identified to be from the Asia. The woman in his life turned out to be as unstable as everything else, she like his american dream soon breaks.
This book does not have a plot instead it is a dairy of few months of young graduate and his life in the part of world which would soon be influencing his part of the world more strongly than ever before.
Many wont agree, that is the thing about being Americanized it is hard to find faults in that system. Some would agree with the idea of the book. But in my opinion, it is story that every nation has their own pride, Americans are not the only ones. They have a history too, an identity which in west might not be much, but is a great source of pride for these in this part of world. like Changez in many places talks of the glorious past, he refers it as "our" achievements. That is the clash Americans denouncing the world he is from, his pride.
This book has two things; a Pakistani trying to identify himself, his stance and his identity when everything he is and where he comes from is snubbed and looked down upon. This book is not much of a religious struggle than it is a struggle of a man whose fundamentals are changing. Like many Pakistani's being a Muslim is something that we are born not exactly very concerned about to live up to, Changez is like that, someone with dreams, wit, respect for hierarchy, but his morals religiously speaking would more than questionable. Than something catastrophic happens and he tries to keep himself aloof from it. That proves to be impossible because of the paranoia, because the general change of stance of masses towards those who were identified to be from the Asia. The woman in his life turned out to be as unstable as everything else, she like his american dream soon breaks.
This book does not have a plot instead it is a dairy of few months of young graduate and his life in the part of world which would soon be influencing his part of the world more strongly than ever before.
Many wont agree, that is the thing about being Americanized it is hard to find faults in that system. Some would agree with the idea of the book. But in my opinion, it is story that every nation has their own pride, Americans are not the only ones. They have a history too, an identity which in west might not be much, but is a great source of pride for these in this part of world. like Changez in many places talks of the glorious past, he refers it as "our" achievements. That is the clash Americans denouncing the world he is from, his pride.
A prejudiced mind almost thinks he is going to talk to the visitor about how he masterminded a blast, and the book ends. In the end, you are left with your prejudice in your head.
Solid book--I just love this author. The term "fundamentalist" takes on a few meanings here--the obvious religious one, but also takes on a capitalist bent as well. I think some of the other characters also serve an allegorical role in the story as well. It's not my favorite by him, but it's an earlier work of his and you can see images of the author he becomes.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes