The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Readers Circle (Center Point))

This is a skillfully crafted book. It is a conversation between the main character Changez and a nameless faceless, wordless American. I enjoyed the style, it imparted a rather satisfying almost theatrical quality to the book. As for the events this is clearly an area where sensitivities abound. There are the obvious tensions between the materialism of Globalised big business and the implicit poverty of Pakistan, albeit with its sophisticated but faded civilisation. I must say though that I think the author funks at the last hurdle. Promising or perhaps threatening to explore the radicalisation of an educated middle class man he never quite gets there. It is a point that seems to have been missed in all the publicity surrounding extremism and terrorism - that these are not the preserve of uneducated thugs - ideas attract intelligent people. Perhaps I am missing the point - that for every act of violence there are many little rebellions? I liked Changez, he is sympathetic, human and easy to identify with - ultimately I was glad he was not too bad.

The book is different to the run of the mill. I found it hard to put down, I am glad I read it and would recommend it - I just felt it could have been more.

Beautifully balanced portrayal of the subtleties of East Vs West (2/2 people found this helpful)

WARNING: SPOILERS

I am responding to some of the criticisms of the book in other reviews(that it is simply anti-American), which I feel have completely misunderstood it. The premise of the book is a conversation between Changez (a Pakistani who used to live in New York) and an American. The conversation occurs in Changez's home town, Lahore and the narrative reports Changez's side of the conversation, so it reads like a monologue. As they talk throughout the day, Changez reports his time in America and the reason he is now living in Pakistan. In so doing, he highlights the post 9/11 tensions between America and Muslim countries.

One criticism below is that the book is simply anti-American and distastefully so. I would strongly disagree. The narrative seemed to me to be a love story between the Pakistani narrator, Changez, and the nation of America. The character's gradual disillusionment with America is counterbalanced by his love for it and longing to be part of it, and there is a hint at some disgust at himself for still having such a connection with it, through Erica, an American girl he fell in love with.

Another criticism made in these reviews is that his change of heart towards America is not adequately explained. I think in this case, 'less is more'. The fact that his 'falling out of love' with America is not fully explained seems perfectly natural: many divorcees find it difficult to explain their breakdown of relationship. The gradual distancing of himself from American culture is as much about a psychological struggle to reconcile his true identity as it is a critique on the country's politics.

Hamid seems to hold in tension throughout the narrative this 'love-hate' relationship between East and West and does it with great subtlety and art. As a Westerner, I think it brings the complex issues of Islamic fundamentalism and America's 'war on terror' to the fore with great sympathy and balance. So much so, that the ending, being ambiguous, leaves you facing your own prejudices. Who is in danger at the end, Changez or the American? Has Changez lured the American into a trap, as part of his new strategy to stop America, or is he entirely innocent? Is Changez under threat from the American or not? I don't believe that the ending is a weakness of the book. Rather, it is purposefully, wonderfully ambiguous, leaving the reader to challenge your own preconceptions and sterotypes - who do we see as the real enemy?

In conclusion, I think this book is excellently, sensitively written, delicately handling complex issues. It is not perfect, and at times the monologue style of the narrative can seem a little limiting or clumsy. But it is a very well-written, thoughtful book, that deserves a thoughtful, considered response.

Compelling, tight, classic. (1/1 people found this helpful)

I'm going to have to read this book again because like other reviewers I found the ending ambiguous. It's not clear who the reluctant fundamentalist of the title is, I'm not entirely sure it's the narrator, it may be the voiceless American he's addressing. It seems that different people have understood different things from this book which I guess is a testament to its cleverness.
Either way I found this a hugely intelligent book, exploring the 'journey' of the narrator, Changez, through a changing world. Other reviewers have given the outline of the story, so I won't repeat them, but throughout the narrator's voice is consistent, calm, and compelling. I could 'hear' his voice and felt as if I knew him and also I felt that I liked him. Although nothing much actually happens in the book (it's just two strangers sharing a meal) there's an incredible tension and there's a distinct possibility of extreme violence after the closing pages. I do need to read it again, but if you like books which make you think, but which are still easy to read, please consider this one.

A Slight Novel, Superbly Realised (2/2 people found this helpful)

As an outsider's view on the War on Terror and the 9/11 attacks, the Reluctant Fundamentalist offers a revelatory take on a series of events the west is only starting to question. It follows the story of Pakistani immigrant - Changez - working in a high powered corporate job in New York, after graduating from Princeton. At first, with his $80,000 salary, expense account and sharp suits, he thinks he is living the American dream, but then the attacks on the World Trade Centre take place and he is forced to question his reason for being.

As with On Chesil Beach, another of the 2007 Mann Booker Prize nominees, at less than 200 pages this is less a novel than a novella. But don't let you think this is a book you can race through. Moshin Hamid's prose is restrained and thoughtful; intricately layered and insightful - in short, to be savoured.

Some things didn't work for me: the form of narration - Changez telling his story to a western stranger outside a Lahore restaurant was somewhat clumsy. Each chapter is prefaced with a slightly camp `Oh, but sir, our tea is about to arrive' etc. A straightforward memoir would have worked better and would have avoided the messy ending. Also the title of the book suggests that this is in some way about hard core Islamism or terrorism: it's not, but I feel that it will invariably discourage some readers.

Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles and the Reluctant Fundamentalist is a triumph, a wonderful exposition of a man forced to question his personal, national and religious identity in troubled times.

An excuse for sympathetic feelings (0/3 people found this helpful)

I felt uncomfortable reading this book. It seemed to be excusing a pakistani living in the west from feeling pleased at the 9/11 atrocity, sort of justifying these feelings.

I don't know, but how come pakistan regards it's neighbours (Afganistan in the Novel) as it's brothers? when the rest of the world tend to fight their neighbours. They have fought India for long enough!!

I felt uncomfortable reading the book but maybe that was the author's intention, who knows?

The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Readers Circle (Center Point))

Mohsin Hamid

Reader Reviews:

An interesting style, a good read but ultimately funks the big questions (0/0 people found this helpful)

Beautifully balanced portrayal of the subtleties of East Vs West (2/2 people found this helpful)

Compelling, tight, classic. (1/1 people found this helpful)

A Slight Novel, Superbly Realised (2/2 people found this helpful)

An excuse for sympathetic feelings (0/3 people found this helpful)

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