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kerameia's review against another edition
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)
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)
_charreadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
xxx_xxx's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
artasin_workof's review against another edition
3.0
Not my personal favorite of Hamid's work, but a 3-star novel from Mohsin Hamid is still better than a 5 star novel from 90% of contemporary authors.
leomonade's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sparky_penny's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.75
It took a second to get into it because of the second person, but once I was in it the story was incredibly captivating and moving
offworldcolony's review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious whilst also slowly unpicking bias and anti-bias. It just builds and builds and the style in which it is written is extremely satisfying.
mcmoon's review against another edition
4.0
The set up and style of this novella--a Pakistani telling his story to an American he happens upon in a Lahore cafe--is quite clever. Set around the aftermath of 9/11, the book deals with being a Pakistani immigrant in America pursuing the American Dream and then becoming disillusioned by it. For a short novel, the book's depth and breadth are astonishing. There are layers of complexity here that will take me a second read to sift through. Most movingly, the book captures the psychological pain of bearing disappointments in life, from the personal to political. I loved the book's tone and narration (as well as the ironic title). However, I need more time to process the book's finer points.
beetroot17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
roosuyttendaele's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0