Take a photo of a barcode or cover
aj_x416 's review for:
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
by Mohsin Hamid
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.