Mohsin Hamid, The Reluctant Fundamentalist

If you ever wondered what may have gone on in the mind of Muslim coming into a foreign country to work and study, this is an interesting novel to read. It may or may not give you some insight, depending on whether you truly believe in this character.

The significance of this book falls into place surrounding the events of 9/11 and thus shows the impact on Hamid's Protagonist- Changez. It is quite sad to read about Changez's downfall, as he soon changes from a successful and popular man to an angry and resentful character towards the country that made him a success. He embroils himself in the politics of the same country he believes is hurting his family and that of his nation; and loses all he has built over his year of being an employee at a successful American organisation. The book is also very sad in the sense that the main character falls in love with an American woman who has mental and bereavement issues and cannot reciprocate this love.

I got distracted by the little conversation that Changez was having with the stranger from time to time. However although at times it was annoying (I just wanted Hamid to get on with the story) it made for an interesting little dialogue (when Changez is repeating the customers concerns for example) it made the novel different, and you soon realised the significance of the conversation, once you reached the end.

If you have nothing else to read, read this book.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Mohsin Hamid's story of an American-educated Pakistani is a simple but powerful one. The main reason for this is that the main character, Changez, is immediately likable. As soon as the story begins, we only want good things for him. Of course, this is not to be. What with the threat of imminent war in his homeland, suffering abuse from ignorant strangers and constantly being rejected by the woman he loves, poor old Changez is going to have a rough time of it.

I suppose one would describe the book as a political melodrama, a genre that I haven't really encountered before, which might explain why I felt I was reading a bit of an oddity. In fact, this is essentially Changez's problem. He is at odds with both himself and the world around him; he feels most at home in a country that despises him, he loves a woman who cannot love him back, he feels a sense of duty toward a place he left behind. It is quite a brilliant study of inner turmoil; a feeling that Hamid mimics to great effect in the narrative. Written in the first person, it constantly switches between a tale that takes place mostly in America and a conversation with a stranger in Lahore, Pakistan.

When I said it is a simple story I wasn't kidding and sometimes you may think that it isn't progressing quite as quickly as it should. Although, in the case of the love story, that might be a blessing in disguise. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of reading books concerning lightning affairs. At least the relationship here takes time to blossom, as is more in keeping with real life. And I think the ending is a little anti-climactic. The book does contain a good ending but almost two chapters before it comes to a close, leaving it to peter out. That notwithstanding, I still think The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a compelling human interest story full of likable, knowable characters and delicious descriptive pieces.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Mohsin Hamid

Harcourt, Apr 2007, $22.00

ISBN: 0151013047

In a caf in Lahore, Pakistan, local resident Changez notices the man seemingly seeking something or someone and realizes by his bearing that he is an American. He offers his assistance stating he spent four and a half years in the States. Changez explains he went to Princeton on a scholarship and that led to his position at Manhattan's prestigious Underwood Samson as a process improvement business consultant. He tells the visitor about his romance with wealthy classmate Erica when they visited Greece together, but nothing came of it because she remained haunted by her late boyfriend. Their relationship totally died on 9/11, which killed more than just 3000 plus people as it also murdered the tolerance of the melting pot because anyone who seemed like a foreigner to the self-righteous patriotic Americans became labeled a terrorist. When he realized he was now an outsider at work and throughout Manhattan as if he took down the Towers, Changez gave up on the American dream he embraced. Soon in a Pygmalion Effect way, as his boss expected him to now fail, he did and was fired. Thus fully bearded instead of clean shaven as he was at school and at work, he came home another victim of the Towers.

This fascinating cautionary tale warns readers that America's five-plus years of outraged indignation and intolerance since 9/11 has alienated many Moslems who wanted to share the dream. Changez is the key to the storyline as he comes across as THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST who still cares about people like Erica. Through his protagonist, Mohsin Hamid makes the case that the Bush legacy will be the burning of the Constitution in the name of security with us and them mob attitudes in which them is being deleted from us. Not an easy book to read, this is a strong, suspense-filled warning of what we have wrought by closing the inclusive tent.

Harriet Klausner