The Reluctant Fundamentalist in Around the World in 80 Books

May 12, 2017 Dana rated it it was amazing

A deceptively easy read, achieved by the conversational tone of the narrator, Changez. A coming of age story which, on the face of it, is not uncommon. A bright and ambitious young Pakistani excels at Princeton and goes on to shine at Underwood Samson, an acquisition company in New York. While his abilities put him on a par with his classmates and colleagues, it is his distinguishing features, his origins and financial status that set him apart. The people he establishes a connection with are hi A deceptively easy read, achieved by the conversational tone of the narrator, Changez. A coming of age story which, on the face of it, is not uncommon. A bright and ambitious young Pakistani excels at Princeton and goes on to shine at Underwood Samson, an acquisition company in New York. While his abilities put him on a par with his classmates and colleagues, it is his distinguishing features, his origins and financial status that set him apart. The people he establishes a connection with are his boss, Jim, by virtue of their common unprivileged background, the only other foreign recruit at the company, Wainwright, and the troubled Erica.

So the reader is swept by the honest account of the ‘hungry’ Changez, who, by force of circumstance becomes conflicted, and starts questioning his place in a country that looks upon him with suspicion following 9/11. Gradually, through a series of events, his eagerness to belong yields to a more confrontational attitude. He grows a beard and can no longer ignore the tug back to his roots, to where he is needed and wanted, and where he can be true to himself and his people.

That’s on the face of it. But this 209-page multilayered perceptive novel packs a wealth of thought-provoking themes from self-awareness, belonging, loyalty, alienation, to imperialism, power, prejudice and so on. As Changez’s past unfolds, his attitude towards the mysterious companion gains depth, taking on a different dimension. The reassurances he gives to the American, far from being innocuous and genuine, seem laced with perverse pleasure. It’s almost as if he relishes the American’s uneasiness, having experienced the same discomfort when he was back in the States. Now, on his own turf, Changez is in a position of power, and makes the most of it.

Nuances surface. The choice of names, for instance: Changez (Change), Erica (AmERICA), Underwood Samson (US), or even Samson the judge.

A haunting, fascinating read!! The Reluctant Fundamentalist is one of those novels that continue to reveal their depth, their several hidden meanings, long after the last page is turned. ...more

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Aug 26, 2013 Kent Winward rated it really liked it

The entire book consists of a one-sided dialogue, but it completely captures the viewpoint of the "other." You can almost feel like you are listening to any number of terrorists who have seeped into our national psyche. This is one of fiction's greatest purposes -- to get us inside the head of another. You can see why loss and national loss can lead to a view that creates terrorism. Actually more persuasive and compelling than John Updike's Terrorist. ...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Wes F rated it it was amazing

Loved this book which was very creatively told in a first-person conversational mode. The writer addressed another person (an American) throughout the entire book--asking and answering questions. Very insightful on how a person who had lived many years in the U.S. would both love & hate aspects of our home culture.

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