You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I don’t know why I gave it 3 stars initially. Great book!
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The author's choice to use first person placed the reader in the position of hearing the story as if at a cafe with the main character--although the overall effect of this on the reader is to experience his story "first hand," it also leads to some clunky transitions and awkward passages. It also forces the reader into the position of being presumed (by the main character) to be suspicious and uncomfortable in the setting--a big assumption. The title led me to believe that there would be more discussion of the main character's discontentment and his finding solace in faith, but the story is of the character's eventual dissatisfaction with his lucrative life in America and his return to Pakistan. The allegorical naming is a bit heavy-handed, and the character's "relationship" with a white, upper-class American girl is underdeveloped. The ending was disappointing and over-wrought. His critique of the economic flaws of American may not be off-base, but the lack of development in his alternatives left his pointed feelings feeling more like a rant than a thoughtful critique.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While I did not enjoy the writing style, the parallel tales being told were compelling. Hamid also retold, through his story, the feelings that were pervasive among Americans and some Indians and Pakistanis (and others) during late 2001/early 2002. The allegory of post-9/11 relations is what led me to give the book 4 stars. Perhaps he was a bit too superficial with his analysis of the united front of Americans, since many disagreed with the chosen path of war. Regardless, it was a quick and thought-provoking read. The ending is a bit of a sad commentary on relations among Americans and most people from just about any other non-European country. And, the whole bit about him taking on the identity of 'Chris' is chilling really...the past is dead, and while immigrants try to adopt ways of the past to acclimate, this certainly will not work if we all insist on looking backward to a perceived time of grandeur.