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A review by mattdube
The Submission by Amy Waldman
4.0
I really enjoyed this, even though I think it has some obvious limitations and especially since it's part of a whole sub-genre of literature these days, where ensemble casts interact somewhat soap operatically around a social issue of the day, which lately seems to be 9.11.
But in spite of that, I really liked it. Part of my appreciation might be the timing, that I'm reading this book as its still in the news cycle and not well after it like I usually do. But there are other factors, too, and I do think some of the characters are fresher, and more challenging, than they are in books striving for such mass appeal. I'd start with the character of Mohammad Khan, who I think is a real character instead of a mouthpiece or a signifier. I liked his ambition and his arrogance, the very everydayness of his concerns. I think there's a bit of a cheat in the ending, but in good ways, he reminded me of Lenny from Super Sad True Love Story as someone who honored and transcended his cultural matrix. The character of Sean came close, and I also really liked Asma, for similar reasons.
I didn't like Claire as much, and her hot momness felt more forced on me than genuine, like there was a demographic reach in her character, and her internal struggle never really made sense to me. But such is life.
This is a really interesting, arguably layered exploration of some difficult material, and I think people should read it-- but do it now. In six months, it might not have the same impact at all.
But in spite of that, I really liked it. Part of my appreciation might be the timing, that I'm reading this book as its still in the news cycle and not well after it like I usually do. But there are other factors, too, and I do think some of the characters are fresher, and more challenging, than they are in books striving for such mass appeal. I'd start with the character of Mohammad Khan, who I think is a real character instead of a mouthpiece or a signifier. I liked his ambition and his arrogance, the very everydayness of his concerns. I think there's a bit of a cheat in the ending, but in good ways, he reminded me of Lenny from Super Sad True Love Story as someone who honored and transcended his cultural matrix. The character of Sean came close, and I also really liked Asma, for similar reasons.
I didn't like Claire as much, and her hot momness felt more forced on me than genuine, like there was a demographic reach in her character, and her internal struggle never really made sense to me. But such is life.
This is a really interesting, arguably layered exploration of some difficult material, and I think people should read it-- but do it now. In six months, it might not have the same impact at all.