The Reluctant Fundamentalist
by Mohsin Hamid
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Book Reviews of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Book Review: clever, but fundamentally unconvincing
Summary: 3 Stars
It's very readable, and generally well-written, but fails in the end for three basic reasons. First, the entire American girl-as-desired object is a cliche (doomed, brilliant, rich, beautiful!)-- the only thing convincing about her is his desire for her. Second, the real-time narrative-- the mannered dialogue with the ominous American "dinner guest" is utterly over the top and rings false in virtually every way. Third, and most important, I at least simply didn't believe the hero's transformation into a fundamentalist. The author understands national and class resentments,and the spoiled privilege of the Pakistani upper class, but I don't believe he understands Islamic fundamentalism at all, and it shows. Those hoping for a window into the psyches of the Mohammad Attas of this world will be no wiser for having read this.Book Review: A reluctant one star
Summary: 1 Stars
If I could have given this book zero stars, I would have.
For one thing, I went to the trouble of finishing reading the story. I only wish the author could have bothered to finish writing it.
The style is awkward - one continuous monologue. The voice of the speaker is annoyingly self-satisfied. The plot is ... Oh, wait ... there is no plot.
The main character drones on and on about his shallow empty life in pursuit of money and a beautiful blonde, and then decides he no longer wants to pursue money, and the beautiful blonde eventually kills herself. There, now you don't need to read the book. I just saved you a few bucks and several hours of your precious time.
Maybe you can spend your money on A Mighty Heart, by Mariane Pearl, if you want actual insight into Pakistan and Islamic fundamentalism.
Book Review: A Senior Thesis Gone Bad
Summary: 1 Stars
The "Reluctant Fundamentalist" fails to deliver on its excellent title. It is brief--too brief, and I read it in a couple of sittings. The first half is good, and the second half God awful! It reads like a senior thesis where the author took a lot of care in the beginning, and then ran out of time and just dashed off the ending in order to graduate. The hatred with which the Muslim protagonist becomes consumed at the end remains unexplained because the author really takes pains in the first half to explain not just how he is treated fairly by the Americans, but how he is handed every advantage on a silver platter upon graduation from college! As far as I could tell the only motive for the protagonist's descent into a personal hell is homesickness for his country and culture. A very unsatisfying book.Book Review: Eh, it had potential
Summary: 3 Stars
Stylistically, I liked the flow of this book; it was a smooth and quick read.
Content-wise, well...I could see what point the author was trying to make, though I thought it had limitations. Who was the main character to self-righteously pass judgement on the American lifestyle? His exposure was very limited and he didn't seem to experience much outside of a very narrow and elitist lens. He was just young and immature, and thus it was very easy for him to crack after putting all of his eggs in the basket of his elitist high-stress job and crazy face girlfriend. He probably never would have cracked and quit his job if crazyface hadn't emasculated him by not being able to get wet for him.
Book Review: Oddly titled
Summary: 3 Stars
My book club recently read the book in hopes that it would be provide some real insight from an 'Americanized' Muslim. However we generally agreed 1) the 'fundamentalist' aspect, as in spiritual/religious content or motives, was virtually non existent (unless you count growing a beard); 2) the protagonist's 'rejection of America was flimsy (based on a couple contrived experiences) and motives unconvincing; 3) the device used by the author (revealing his most intimate feelings to an voiceless American stranger in a public cafe) was unrealistic.
On a positive note, the book was a pretty easy read (178 pages) and we learned some of the culture, language, food, and customs of Lahore.