The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A Novel
4 journalers for this copy...
From Publishers Weekly
Hamid's second book (after Moth Smoke) is an intelligent and absorbing 9/11 novel, written from the perspective of Changez, a young Pakistani whose sympathies, despite his fervid immigrant embrace of America, lie with the attackers. The book unfolds as a monologue that Changez delivers to a mysterious American operative over dinner at a Lahore, Pakistan, cafe. Pre-9/11, Princeton graduate Changez is on top of the world: recruited by an elite New York financial company, the 22-year-old quickly earns accolades from his hard-charging supervisor, plunges into Manhattan's hip social whirl and becomes infatuated with Erica, a fellow Princeton graduate pining for her dead boyfriend. But after the towers fall, Changez is subject to intensified scrutiny and physical threats, and his co-workers become markedly less affable as his beard grows in ("a form of protest," he says). Erica is committed to a mental institution, and Changez, upset by his adopted country's "growing and self-righteous rage," slacks off at work and is fired. Despite his off-putting commentary, the damaged Changez comes off as honest and thoughtful, and his creator handles him with a sympathetic grace.
Personally, I like the way the book has been presented...a really good read.
Hamid's second book (after Moth Smoke) is an intelligent and absorbing 9/11 novel, written from the perspective of Changez, a young Pakistani whose sympathies, despite his fervid immigrant embrace of America, lie with the attackers. The book unfolds as a monologue that Changez delivers to a mysterious American operative over dinner at a Lahore, Pakistan, cafe. Pre-9/11, Princeton graduate Changez is on top of the world: recruited by an elite New York financial company, the 22-year-old quickly earns accolades from his hard-charging supervisor, plunges into Manhattan's hip social whirl and becomes infatuated with Erica, a fellow Princeton graduate pining for her dead boyfriend. But after the towers fall, Changez is subject to intensified scrutiny and physical threats, and his co-workers become markedly less affable as his beard grows in ("a form of protest," he says). Erica is committed to a mental institution, and Changez, upset by his adopted country's "growing and self-righteous rage," slacks off at work and is fired. Despite his off-putting commentary, the damaged Changez comes off as honest and thoughtful, and his creator handles him with a sympathetic grace.
Personally, I like the way the book has been presented...a really good read.
Passed on this book to prachitulshan who attended a talk by this book's author Mohsin Hamid at the Jaipur Litfest. Hope she likes it too...I loved it!
Borrowed from Ecuas to read...been wanting to ever since attending Hamid's talk earlier this year at the lit fest, and finally I have the chance!
I have quite a few other books to read right now to prepare for my Europe trip, so lending this to snehasingh who shall enjoy it while at home and then return it to me.
As they say, books should never gather dust, and I love passing good reads on to others, so here you go. Enjoy this wishlist book!
As they say, books should never gather dust, and I love passing good reads on to others, so here you go. Enjoy this wishlist book!
My friend prachitulshan just lent it to me ...to read while i am on vacation at home. its been a while i have been wanting to read it..from the reviews it looks like its going to be an interesting read ! thank you prachi :)
The book is long back with me, and now will be lent to a fellow student at the Seagull School of Publishing.
Lent out today.
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Hello, you've found a travelling book!
Bookcrossing is an online community of book lovers dedicated to sharing books with each other and the world at large. We are curious to see how far and wide it will travel and how its readers like it. If this is your first visit to our site: welcome - I'm sure you'll find it fun!
You can make your first journal entry about this book now! Just tell us where you found it...and don't worry about giving your name, you can remain anonymous if you like.
Enjoy the book and then pass it on to a friend, leave it again where you found it or somewhere else for the next reader. If you wish, you can join as a member for free, and then you will hear from the book as it travels around. Happy reading!
Very well written and I thought the love story was very tender. I felt that his attitude towards the US, though, was quite inexplicable. Could not quite grasp the depth of both his admiration for the US and his deep hatred.
Book back with me, and now it finally goes on Mt. TBR!
