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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I knew in advance that the story was one long narrative in the first person, ostensibly a conversation between the narrator, Changez, and an unnamed American. And this was probably what prompted me to delay reading this novel because it did not sound appealing. And yet ... it's rare that I find a book which so readily draws me in as this one did. I found it a genuine page-turner in the best sense, insofar as it was character and pitch-perfect voice that drove me to continue reading.
I also liked how the author allowed the story to play out for quite some time before the metaphors took hold (or maybe I'm just slow). But the love interest, uhm, Erica, and her deceased lover, Chris(tian), eventually came into focus for what they stood for, yet did not destroy the story for me, even as the symbolism perhaps got heavy-handed. I found Changez's "sudden" disgruntlement with America to be surprising, yet can't say that it was implausible. That's a tricky field to navigate, a very bright young man suddenly having his eyes opened like that to the bigger picture. I thought overall it was well handled and allowed me as a reader to retain sympathy for him while also seeing the potential danger, how it's merely one more step -- and perhaps one more point of view -- from fundamentalist to terrorist. And of course the job he undertakes in America is working for a a high-flying valuation company that travels the country and the world, deciding what is worthwhile and what isn't. Economically, that is, but you get the pointed point no doubt.
And I liked the slow infusion of tension into the dialogue with the American at the Lahore cafe. Even as we guess the identity and likely purpose of this man, we are in suspense as to the reason for his presence and the transition that Changez's life must have taken.
Oh, and finally, it was such a pleasure to read a story set in Lahore, and done so lovingly, with a certain wistfulness that wasn't entirely sepia-toned.
A wonderful read.
I also liked how the author allowed the story to play out for quite some time before the metaphors took hold (or maybe I'm just slow). But the love interest, uhm, Erica, and her deceased lover, Chris(tian), eventually came into focus for what they stood for, yet did not destroy the story for me, even as the symbolism perhaps got heavy-handed. I found Changez's "sudden" disgruntlement with America to be surprising, yet can't say that it was implausible. That's a tricky field to navigate, a very bright young man suddenly having his eyes opened like that to the bigger picture. I thought overall it was well handled and allowed me as a reader to retain sympathy for him while also seeing the potential danger, how it's merely one more step -- and perhaps one more point of view -- from fundamentalist to terrorist. And of course the job he undertakes in America is working for a a high-flying valuation company that travels the country and the world, deciding what is worthwhile and what isn't. Economically, that is, but you get the pointed point no doubt.
And I liked the slow infusion of tension into the dialogue with the American at the Lahore cafe. Even as we guess the identity and likely purpose of this man, we are in suspense as to the reason for his presence and the transition that Changez's life must have taken.
Oh, and finally, it was such a pleasure to read a story set in Lahore, and done so lovingly, with a certain wistfulness that wasn't entirely sepia-toned.
A wonderful read.
"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid is written in a form of second person point of view. The narrator directly addresses an American tourist and the reader takes the place of this tourist. A Pakistani man converses with the reader and tells his story of his life in America before and after September 11th.
This is a great story that is a page turner and I love that it is written in a form of second person.
This is a great story that is a page turner and I love that it is written in a form of second person.
emotional
reflective
medium-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
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
This was an interesting & well written story, but it left me feeling quite conflicted. There were some significant things that disturbed me, starting with the protagonist's tendency to blame everything bad that happened to his home country (Pakistan) on the United States. This is such an overreaching attitude, particular considering that conflict in the Middle East has existed as long as the Middle East itself, and blaming the US for the aggressions shown by various ME countries toward others is a convenient and currently popular sentiment, but not grounded in the realities of the relationships between the ME countries themselves.
What was perhaps the most disturbing issue for me was Changez's reaction of pleasure at the attacks against the US on September 11. This troubled me throughout the rest of the book, especially as the antagonistic feelings he had toward the US intensified, even as he was taking advantage of the opportunities the US had (has) to offer that were not available to him in his own country. I simply do not understand hating a country & what it stands for, but at the same time coveting the opportunities there, and thus doing whatever was necessary to pursue a US education & employment.
Tied into the above is the absence of ethical responsibility Changez ultimately showed toward his employer, an employer who went out on a limb for him on more than one occasion. His "guilt" seemed only to involve letting Jim down (his hiring manager), but not about derailing the project he was working on or leaving the company in a bad position. His attitude had become so negative toward the US that he could not even bring himself to fulfill his employment obligations in a professional & ethical way, even though the US was the country that had afforded him the opportunities.
Finally, the whole premise of the book (a conversation between Changez and an unidentified American) left me with a feeling of being set up. The ending is ambiguous enough - both in content of Changez's monologue and as to what actually did/did not happen with the American - that it left me as the reader feeling as though the author wanted me to assume what happened next, and based on the story & the trajectory of Changez's life, one ending seems much more plausible than another.
So at the end of the reading I am conflicted, because it could have actually been a much better story, even with the anti-US sentiment, if the protagonist had actually had some personal ethics rather than allowing his politics to inform & dictate his actions. I hated that about him, and while the writing was good, my inability to connect on even the smallest level with Changez impacted my overall assessment of the book.
What was perhaps the most disturbing issue for me was Changez's reaction of pleasure at the attacks against the US on September 11. This troubled me throughout the rest of the book, especially as the antagonistic feelings he had toward the US intensified, even as he was taking advantage of the opportunities the US had (has) to offer that were not available to him in his own country. I simply do not understand hating a country & what it stands for, but at the same time coveting the opportunities there, and thus doing whatever was necessary to pursue a US education & employment.
Tied into the above is the absence of ethical responsibility Changez ultimately showed toward his employer, an employer who went out on a limb for him on more than one occasion. His "guilt" seemed only to involve letting Jim down (his hiring manager), but not about derailing the project he was working on or leaving the company in a bad position. His attitude had become so negative toward the US that he could not even bring himself to fulfill his employment obligations in a professional & ethical way, even though the US was the country that had afforded him the opportunities.
Finally, the whole premise of the book (a conversation between Changez and an unidentified American) left me with a feeling of being set up. The ending is ambiguous enough - both in content of Changez's monologue and as to what actually did/did not happen with the American - that it left me as the reader feeling as though the author wanted me to assume what happened next, and based on the story & the trajectory of Changez's life, one ending seems much more plausible than another.
So at the end of the reading I am conflicted, because it could have actually been a much better story, even with the anti-US sentiment, if the protagonist had actually had some personal ethics rather than allowing his politics to inform & dictate his actions. I hated that about him, and while the writing was good, my inability to connect on even the smallest level with Changez impacted my overall assessment of the book.
Particolarmente bello questo libro, che per tutto il tempo mi sono chiesta dove andasse a parare. Gli Stati Uniti visti da un mussulmano appena dopo la caduta delle torri gemelle: i sospetti, le discriminazioni, la storia d'amore e il ritorno in Pakistan, che in quel momento era ai ferri cortissimi con l'India. Non servono tante pagine per scrivere un capolavoro.....
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was on the reading list for my English literature course about narrators, and I am glad it was because I wouldn't have read it otherwise and I really liked it.
The story is told by the main character, Changez, in the second person, to an American man, but because of the extensive use of 'you', it also feels like he is addressing the reader directly. Changez talks about his studies and job in America and the changes he experienced after 9/11. Suddenly, the land where he had built a good life, was no longer open to his presence, seeing him instead as another terrorist.
I thought it was really fascinating to read a story from a Pakistani author and about these well-known events from a different perspective. I was constantly wondering what would happen because you don't want to reinforce stereotypes and look at the narrator with an open mind, but he doesn't come across as the most reliable narrator, especially when he keeps emphasizing the safety of the situation. I also really liked the use of metaphors and how they added to the meaning of the story. I'm glad I got to read this book and read about this perspective that was previously unknown to me.
The story is told by the main character, Changez, in the second person, to an American man, but because of the extensive use of 'you', it also feels like he is addressing the reader directly. Changez talks about his studies and job in America and the changes he experienced after 9/11. Suddenly, the land where he had built a good life, was no longer open to his presence, seeing him instead as another terrorist.
I thought it was really fascinating to read a story from a Pakistani author and about these well-known events from a different perspective. I was constantly wondering what would happen because you don't want to reinforce stereotypes and look at the narrator with an open mind, but he doesn't come across as the most reliable narrator, especially when he keeps emphasizing the safety of the situation. I also really liked the use of metaphors and how they added to the meaning of the story. I'm glad I got to read this book and read about this perspective that was previously unknown to me.
mysterious
tense
The only fault this novel has is that it's second-person narrative sometimes comes across as too much pure exposition. Otherwise it's a wonderful device that increases the tension as the story unfolds. A beautiful picture of how recent events can turn even the most well-educated, rational person against the powers that be.