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The Reluctant Fundamentalist
by Mohsin Hamid | Biographies & Memoirs
Registered by wingworldbooknightwing on Friday, February 25, 2011
Average 7 star rating by BookCrossing Members 

status (set by chamonix44): reserved


9 journalers for this copy...

Journal Entry 1 by wingworldbooknightwing on Friday, February 25, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Dear Reader

Welcome to BookCrossing and thanks for being a part of World Book Night 2011, the largest book giveaway in history. 1,000,000 specially printed copies of 25 different books changed hands on March 5th 2011 and began their journey from reader to reader. This book is one of them. World Book Night has joined with BookCrossing to help track these books as they travel. You can be a part of that journey by making a comment in the book's journal here on BookCrossing. Your journal entry can say how you got the book, what you thought of it, your plans for it or whatever else you might like to add.

On BookCrossing you may choose to remain anonymous or join (it's free). If you join, you’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry for this specific copy of this book (other copies of the book are travelling with their own ID number. Every copy of every book has a unique ID). It’s all confidential (you’re known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address) and spam-free.

Thanks in advance for being part of World Book Night and BookCrossing. And happy reading and sharing. 

Journal Entry 2 by wingworldbooknightwing at London , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, February 25, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 1 yr ago (2/25/2011 UTC) at London , Greater London United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is being released via BookCrossing on 5 March 2011 as part of the inaugural World Book Night. With the full support of the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, the Independent Publishers Guild, the Reading Agency with libraries, World Book Day and the BBC, one million books will be given away by an army of passionate readers to members of the public across the UK and Ireland.

Read and release! 

Journal Entry 3 by wingardachywing at Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Thursday, March 03, 2011

This book has not been rated.

This is a very well written, entertaining and thought provoking book which I read back in 2008. It made such an impression it was my selection in the World Book Night giveaway. This is one of 48 copies I have been entrusted to give away. I hope future readers will record their view of the book and what they do with it as it continues on its travels.  

Journal Entry 4 by wingardachywing at Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, March 05, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 1 yr ago (3/5/2011 UTC) at Colchester, Essex United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I am posting this copy to the Netherlands to a BookCrosser using the name chamonix44 who has shown an interest in World Book Night and has helped many other people with bookcrossing and books.  

Journal Entry 5 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Monday, March 14, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Monday 14th March 2011. Bright-ish weather, although a bit rainy, and the day started off ok. I had to go to the hospital for an eye examination this morning, (of course I took the opportunity to release a book in the eye clinic). The optometrist put the dreaded atropine drops into my eyes, in order to enlarge the pupils, so that he could see into the backs of my eyes. So of course, after that, my eyes were all yellowish looking and my vision was blurred. Luckily my husband was with me, as walking outside the hospital they have slanted footpaths of all things, so what with that and blurred vision I must have been walking like a drunk! God only knows how people in wheelchairs manage on those slanted footpaths. They travel on them at their own risk with one side nearer to the ground than the other and a danger of toppling over! Anyway, we arrived home, and my husband had to go to work.

I have managed to get an Ernest Hemmingway book for my postman, and I had only just labelled it up yesterday. So today was going to be the day of the big presentation to the postman. (He mentioned to me last year that he likes Ernest Hemmingway books, and that he can also read them in English). So I kept looking out of the window for the postman to come. He usually rests his bike against our fence. I waited and looked, and looked and waited and so on. Drank cup after cup of tea, but still no postman!

I just had to pop upstairs to put some newly dried washing away, when I heard the front gate open. Aaarrrggghh ....I had to be quick or he would be gone. So.....with the washing still in my arms I sort of ran down the stairs towards the front door, but just as I was about to land on the last step I saw a black furry thing there....our cat! I couldn't stop as gravity had taken over, and so I missed the last step, landed awkwardly, slipped on the floor, grabbed hold of coats on the rack to try and stop myself from falling, but everything fell on the floor, just in front of the door.... me, the coats, the washing, and a terrified cat with her fur standing on end. Just as my foot hit the bottom of the front door, the letterbox opened and a package came through and fell on the said foot! Needless to say I couldn't get up and open the door. I didn't even know how to get up! Once I got feeling back into my feet and legs, I turned on to my knees using the pile of washing and coats to cushion my knee caps! The postman of course was long gone, and completely unaware of the drama that had occurred behind the door.

Put the kettle on again, made another pot of tea and opened the package. Wow! What a lovely surprise and well worth falling for! Thank you Ardachy for sending me one of the books that you were assigned to give out for WBN. I really had no idea that I was getting this title from you, as you had not mentioned this book to me in your last message! I had entered a draw for this same title a while ago in the rabck forum, but wasn't sure if I would be one of the recipients from the other bookcrosser. Anyway I was! So now I have two copies of this book, but please don't be disappointed, as I can now have one as an upstairs copy and one as a downstairs copy. This way the book will be read quickly, and it will be passed on to other readers eventually. I am now off to finish the two books that I have been reading in order to start on this one. So watch this space!




 

Journal Entry 6 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Tuesday, March 15, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Tuesday 15th March 2011. It is 6.15 am! Yes, I am up early this morning. I woke up an hour ago and I came downstairs for a drink. Then other things distracted me like feeding the cat, putting the dishwasher on, and now I have just put the washing machine on too! So I thought I might as well come online and pop in here to say that I am going to start reading this book today. My husband has booked a day off work so that he can fill out his tax forms. They have to be in by 1st April, so he will be needing some peace and quiet to get those done. The perfect excuse for me to start reading this book! 

Journal Entry 7 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Wednesday, March 16, 2011

8 out of 10

"...She listened to me speak with a series of smiles, as though she were sipping at my descriptions and finding them to her taste....."

Now I understand what others have meant when they describe this as a thought provoking tale. Although I cannot be sure if my own interpretation of this story provoked in me the same thoughts that it provoked in others, but here is my review for what it's worth.
I did enjoy reading the story of Changez, a Pakistani who tells of his life in the United States before and after the attack on 11th September.
His sympathies seemed to lie with the attackers, and his thoughts about America changed after the attack and he started to think of America as a country that interfered and bullied other countries.
I felt compassion for both him and Erica. I'm not sure why Erica was in this story at all, unless she was there to portray the small part of America that he liked and had sympathy with.
As the story went on his feelings became more and more confused, and so did I, in parts. You could say that the book leaves you guessing as to the ending. I am really glad that I had a chance to read this.

"....I found reassurance in my father's views, and I dressed myself in them as though they were my own......" 

Journal Entry 8 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Saturday, March 26, 2011

8 out of 10

This book has been offered as a Bookring and will start its journey soon. Details will follow.

Click here Link to Bookring thread in forum.

 

Journal Entry 9 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Bookring(info as taken from site FAQ's) - Person #1 has a book to share and posts notice of a bookring in the Bookring and Ray forum.
Interested parties will PM her, and a bookring begins.
The book is mailed to Person #2 along with a list of everyone in the ring--without including anyone’s mailing address (for privacy reasons).
When Person 2 receives the book, he PM’s Person 3 for his/her address, reads the book as quickly as possible, and mails it off.
Two to four weeks has become the standard for keeping a book.
My personal suggestion is that if you need it longer than that, you a)let the founder of the ring know, and/or b) send it to the next person, unread, and request that your name be added to the end of the list when you may have more time.
Person #3 repeats the cycle. Eventually, the book returns to the original owner.

ORDER of BOOKRING, so far, (still open):
1) LittleDachshund Bulgaria (prefers EU shipping)
2) KaKo27 UK (which is in EU)
3) amme1980 UK (EU)
4) Lemon-Crisis UK (EU) ----Pulled out of ring
5) Icila France (Can mail INTL but prefers EU)
6)laure69 France (Can ship EU/ Intl)
7)ruzena Finland (Intl)
8) Then back to me in The Netherlands, (EU), unless anyone else joins in meanwhile.



Click hereLink to Bookring thread in forum.





 

Journal Entry 10 by wingchamonix44wing at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 1 yr ago (3/30/2011 UTC) at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This little book is starting its journey today, to LittleDachshund in Bulgaria.
I hope it arrives safely and that you will enjoy it.

 

Journal Entry 11 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Monday, April 11, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Received the book today. I'll start reading it asap. 

Journal Entry 12 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Wednesday, April 20, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 1 yr ago (4/19/2011 UTC) at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted to KaKo27. Enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 13 by LittleDachshund at София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Wednesday, April 20, 2011

9 out of 10

The book is a quick read and indeed is much thought-provoking. I am aware of US foreign policy and its negatives, but the author managed to summarize it very well from a personal perspective. I liked the idea that the clever youths of the developing countries "lured" to study and then work in USA are kind of janissaries. 

Journal Entry 14 by KaKo27 at Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, May 08, 2011

This book has not been rated.

I received the book in the post last week. Thank you, I will read it as soon as I have finished the book I am at right now. 

Journal Entry 15 by KaKo27 at Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, June 04, 2011

7 out of 10

The thought, how many young westernized and educated muslims, working or studying in the western world, particularily in America, must have become disturbed or even radicalised through the American reaction to 9/11 is quite frightening. This is really the main "achievement" of the terrorists.
Changez, the narrator of this story, belongs the the ones, who have it all, meaning a good job, money which goes with it, friends, but the are being alienated in the aftermath.
The story he tells to the foreigner is getting from a quite light hearted chat to a to some degree menacing end, without that anything is happening.
This book leaves you with a bitter feeling, and you can't even tell who for. 

Journal Entry 16 by amme1980 at Llantwit Major, Wales United Kingdom on Thursday, June 16, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Hello - The Reluctant Fundamentalist arrived at my house this morning - thank you very much. I'm looking forward to starting it tonight. 

Journal Entry 17 by amme1980 at Llantwit Major, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 21, 2011

8 out of 10

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it be very thought provoking, although I thought the title to be a little misleading after having read it. Inspite of the serious subject matter I never felt weighed down by the content. It clearly demonstrated how the West can be viewed by the East and the bad feeling that our actions cause. I felt that the Westerner to whom Changez was recounting his story served more as a distraction to the story than of any benefit and did find myself at times wondering about him & his intentions. Overall a good read with an interesting ending.  

Journal Entry 18 by amme1980 at Llantwit Major, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 21, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 11 mos ago (6/21/2011 UTC) at Llantwit Major, Wales United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

And on it's way to Icila.

Hope you enjoy! 

Journal Entry 19 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Wednesday, June 29, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Safe at home by me. Thank you . :) 

Journal Entry 20 by wingIcilawing at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, July 15, 2011

This book has not been rated.

I liked the tale but I have mixed feelings about Changez's views on the western way of life. 

Journal Entry 21 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Sunday, August 14, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 9 mos ago (8/14/2011 UTC) at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed yesterday in Treillieres. 

Journal Entry 22 by laure69 at Paris, Ile-de-France France on Wednesday, August 17, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Arrived today
Thank you 

Journal Entry 23 by laure69 at Paris, Ile-de-France France on Sunday, August 28, 2011

6 out of 10

I wasn't expecting that, not this kind of fundamentals. I'm not sure I understood why the author chose to speak to this man who, I suppose, represents any American man. Maybe a pleading for his country ? The end is unclear and why so many details about his relationship with this woman ? There's a great difference between how America treated one Pakistani man and the Pakistani people. It makes this man's feelings more complicated and ambigous. He's both bitter and not totally innocent.

The book is leaving for ruzena tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 24 by ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland on Thursday, September 01, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Arrived. Thank you laure69!
 

Journal Entry 25 by ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland on Saturday, September 10, 2011

9 out of 10

This copy is categorized here as ”Biographies and Memoirs”. Could be, but in fact it is Literature and Fiction, a belles-lettres novel. And an excellent one.

The theme 9/11 is topical (again), and this story is another comment on it. The protagonist is a young Pakistani that immigrated to US and got educated and gained professional success but lost something there and returned to Lahore. The book is his monologue - or indirectly some dialogue too – where he tells his story to an American visitor.

The book has its individual and general levels skilfully intertwined. It is a love story (but don’t read it for the romance). It is a story about identity crisis and about paranoid, both psychological and political. It is well written, and the scheme keeps you in suspense to the end.

-ruzena

Thanks a lot to you all for sharing. Where would the Fundamentalist travel next? (I recommended it to Finnish readers - albeit the book has been published in Finnish too.) 

Journal Entry 26 by ruzena at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland on Wednesday, September 14, 2011

This book has not been rated.

Released 8 mos ago (9/14/2011 UTC) at Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling back to chamonix44, as no more readers have appeared. 

Journal Entry 27 by wingchamonix44wing at Almelo, Overijssel Netherlands on Monday, September 19, 2011

This book has not been rated.

This book is back with me now. Thank you for returning it to me ruzena. Thanks also for the nice postcard and the bookmark. (I'm assuming you put in the bookmark too). I'm amazed that the book is still in pristine condition after so many journeys and so many readers. Thank you everyone for looking after it, and thank you for all your journal entries, and one big thank you to ardachy for sending me the book in the first place!
It is a pity that no more readers came forward for this ring. I did try to find more in both the Bookring forum and the Dutch forum, but no one else came forward!

 



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