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American Dervish

by Ayad Akhtar (Goodreads Author)

3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 · rating details · 3,365 ratings · 633 reviews

Hayat Shah is a young American in love for the first time. His normal life of school, baseball, and video games had previously been distinguished only by his Pakistani heritage and by the frequent chill between his parents, who fight over things he is too young to understand. Then Mina arrives, and everything changes.

Mina is Hayat's mother's oldest friend from Pakistan. Sh...more

ebook, 262 pages

Published January 9th 2012 by Little, Brown and Company

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Jan 17, 2012 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Round up my review of 1.5 stars to 2 I guess. This was a hard book for me to get through. When I was given the galley at Book Expo I was told that it was the next "Kite Runner." I should've known better when anyone says a book is the next anything.

I really wanted to enjoy this as I feel stories from Asia in general are under represented in the U.S. and am sure that Middle Eastern stories have been on the rise in the past decade.

"American Dervish" is a coming-of-age story for a young Pakistani-...more Round up my review of 1.5 stars to 2 I guess. This was a hard book for me to get through. When I was given the galley at Book Expo I was told that it was the next "Kite Runner." I should've known better when anyone says a book is the next anything.

I really wanted to enjoy this as I feel stories from Asia in general are under represented in the U.S. and am sure that Middle Eastern stories have been on the rise in the past decade.

"American Dervish" is a coming-of-age story for a young Pakistani-American boy, Hayat. The main story is in the relationship of him between his Aunt Mina, how her residing with his family affects their life, and how Hayat's love for her grows into a dedication to the Muslim faith. His father is flawed as are his mother and those around him and then there's the feelings of love he has for Mina that are both natural and seem to straddle the line of romantic interest.

The fact is the main drama is with the adults and as a child he is witness to them and told of them but not always a part of it, which I found to be the weakness. The fact that the whole story is told from his POV in a reflective manner and that he's not as in the drama as he should be that he doesn't confront his philandering father or his overly emotional and submissive mother or his faithful auntie in a bad relationship makes him very submissive and the story run a bit too long. I think much could've been cut and the protagonist of Hayat could have been more active especially since some of what he does is an impetus for later events. The end is rushed, but I did receive a galley so the ending and epilogue may have changed. But the ending was all told and not seen and the convenient reunion at the end seem very forced but I guess expected.

I learned a lot about characters and how to utilize narrators and such from reading "American Dervish." And am sorry I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. I did appreciate being involved in the culture and the racism and prejudices but these are things as someone who is friends with people of this culture was aware of already. So perhaps for others it will be quite revealing but for those already in the know, not so much. (less)

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Mar 18, 2012 Ksab rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book and read in in a day!! I found the book very interesting and especially well written in describing the multi faceted joys and challenges growing up in an immigrant commmunity.The author' s character developement as to the dilemnas and issues of personal psychological and cultural identity was amazing. My family has a particular interest in the American Islamic community.My ex husband and I converted to Islam nearly 40 years- I was a Muslim for 15 years- My grown daughter has...more

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May 12, 2012 Kate Z rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Before I started this book I saw an interview with Ayad Akhtar on the Tavis Smiley Show which framed my reading and enjoyment of the novel:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/i...

I was charmed and intrigued by Akhtar and especially interested when he talked about this being a novel about faith in America. He said that he thought that faith was an essential element in this country and this novel uses the Muslim faith as a way to explore that. It's not so much a book about being Muslim in America...more Before I started this book I saw an interview with Ayad Akhtar on the Tavis Smiley Show which framed my reading and enjoyment of the novel:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/i...

I was charmed and intrigued by Akhtar and especially interested when he talked about this being a novel about faith in America. He said that he thought that faith was an essential element in this country and this novel uses the Muslim faith as a way to explore that. It's not so much a book about being Muslim in America as it is a story about growing up and what it means to believe in God, understand the afterlife and also what it means to follow the practices of the faith into which you are born, either by following or rejecting the teaching(s) of your parents and one boy's journey through that.

The main character, the ten year old boy Hayat, is first really introduced to the Muslim faith when his "aunt" Mina comes to live with his family from Pakistan. Mina is what we might refer to as a "spiritual" Muslim - she is quite devout but she places greater importance on the intention of faith than the actual practice (example, Hayat studies and memorizes the Quaran ... but in English. He is later told that "doesn't count", it has to be in Arabic. Mina tells him that it's not the language that counts, it's the intention of memorizing it to be closer to God). Hayat's Mother is a Muslim in name and appearance but not in real practice and Hayat's father is essentially an atheist. Hay at has to figure out whT he believes and what is important to him.

The characters in Hayat's immediate family are complex; loving but flawed and that was definitely one of the strengths of the book for me. I had a harder time accepting the more stereo-typical characters in the greater Muslim community. I saw them as archetypes and I suppose that those profiles exist for a reason but those characters, and therefore their interplay into the novel didn't ring quite as true for me.

The writing felt like most of the "literary fiction" I've been reading lately ... easy enough to read but not transporting. This was a novel of character and plot, not writing or transcendental ideas (despite the inclusion of Quaran passages and many exerpts from and references to R.W. Emerson).

Good story which will make for a good book club discussion. I recommend it but it's not an "all-time great"(less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Jill Lapin Zell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ayad Akhtar’s “American Dervish” is one of the most moving books I’ve read in a long time. I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads, and I’m glad I did, because I might not have picked up this book otherwise, and then would have missed out on a most enjoyable read.

This book grabbed me from the start and never let me go. Its characters are multi-dimensional and believably flawed, and the writing is exquisite. For example, the passages where the author describes Hayat’s (who is actually telling...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Ilyse rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is a rare book that captures my attention without needing to read 100 pages before finding my groove. This book held my interest from page one. It's a story about a Muslim-American family during the 80's and particularly the young boy, Hayat. I'm not going to summarize the plot. I will say the refreshing perspective Mr. Akhtar focuses on is that while they are Eastern in ethnicity and Muslim, their issues, inner conflicts and questioning of society within the Muslim community as well as their...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Sarwat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

American Dervish: Ayad Akhtar’s book is a witty, humorous, educational, sensual and spiritual, insightful, captivating and riveting tale of a young child growing up in the Midwest in the early eighties. The author beautifully and painstakingly narrates the impressions of a child as he struggles to understand the complexity of Islam and thus his own identity, through the controversial messages from many well meaning people in his life. It points to the biases bred through cultural and historical...more American Dervish: Ayad Akhtar’s book is a witty, humorous, educational, sensual and spiritual, insightful, captivating and riveting tale of a young child growing up in the Midwest in the early eighties. The author beautifully and painstakingly narrates the impressions of a child as he struggles to understand the complexity of Islam and thus his own identity, through the controversial messages from many well meaning people in his life. It points to the biases bred through cultural and historical lenses, which have the potential to traumatize the minds of our next generations of Muslims in America. These biases can and (inherently) do shape the very existence of the young minds, unbeknownst to the people who love them the most, their parents and families, who are so caught up in 'their own world' and its challenges. Some of the challenges in this tale are universal to all Muslims while others are very individual to the book’s protagonist, Hayat Shah.

While the message of Islam is universal, the Muslims are not monolithic. Cultural influences and customary interpretations from around the world impact the way the religion of Islam is taught and practiced. With migration from around the world, Islamic Centers in America are like a ‘mini United Nations’, a melting pot of Muslims from around the globe, who bring in diverse customs and cultures adding to the beautiful tapestry of the Muslim fabric of America, thus adding to the complexity of understanding Muslims and Islam.

Personally, the message of Quran which resonates with me is: ‘Read and Reflect’, as it emphasizes the use of intellect, reason and logic and discourages from blindly following the customs and traditions of ancestors, which may be contrary to the essence of the peaceful religion of Islam.

The future of Islam and Muslims, like any faith community, depends upon our youth. With the ever increasing negative stereotyping of Muslims and Islam by parts of the media, clergy and politicians, it is our responsibility to the next generations to bring in an era of Islam, which stands for social justice, equality of all beings and peace.

After reading Ayad Akhtar’s book, American Dervish, I am convinced more than ever that the time and need for ‘Ijtihad’ is now, for ongoing contemporary narrative with contextual interpretation of faith and the Holy Quran, individually and collectively by scholars to help reshape and reframe the influence of religion on the mindset of next generation of Muslims, which engages them towards a peaceful coexistence in the world and peace within themselves.

Sarwat Malik MD, FACP
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Sep 11, 2012 Moin Hussaini rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The last time I experienced a book like this was after reading The Namesake. Its rare to come from this background and find literature that so accurately reflects your own personal experience.

In the case of American Dervish, it is very true to the emotional experience of a young Muslim boy's experience with religion - both alienating and comforting.

The characters as more extreme and interesting versions of people in my own life. However, with some I felt that the "juiced up" versions of these p...more

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May 31, 2013 Joan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel on audiobook, where it was read by the author, who did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life with their lilting Pakistani inflected English. This is Mr. Akhtar's first novel, and he writes masterfully about the Pakistani-American community of Milwaukee, where he grew up. In prose that is beautifully descriptive and heartfelt, but not flowery or overly sentimental, he paints a nuanced picture of the difficulties and contradictions inherent...more I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel on audiobook, where it was read by the author, who did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life with their lilting Pakistani inflected English. This is Mr. Akhtar's first novel, and he writes masterfully about the Pakistani-American community of Milwaukee, where he grew up. In prose that is beautifully descriptive and heartfelt, but not flowery or overly sentimental, he paints a nuanced picture of the difficulties and contradictions inherent in an immigrant community that simultaneously longs to keep its religious and cultural traditions, while it is immersed in and reaping the benefits of, a culture that is, to a great extent, vilified by those traditions.

A truly good novel opens the eyes and mind of the reader to a world that is beyond one's own experience. This coming of age story was an eye opener for me. A memorable sequence was the imam's sermon, in which he quoted a Koranic verse related to the human tendency to look for someone to blame for pain we inflict upon ourselves, to be deluded by love of self to believe that the suffering is unjustified. He spoke of his own reaction, when he hurt his hand fixing some plumbing, to scold his son for making noise. The imam then twisted this parable about self awareness and personal responsibility into a venomous, anti-Semitic screed, preaching that Allah hates the Jews because this is what they always do, blame someone else for their troubles and suffering, when in actuality, they have brought it all on themselves, by disobeying God. If the religious narrative that holds sway is that God originally chose the Jews and then turned His wrath upon them because they were so evil, choosing instead (fill in the blank) the Muslims (or Christians) it is not difficult to see how this belief system fosters a fervent, religiously-justified hatred of Jews.

But this is not an anti-relgious book. The reader feels the struggle of Hayat, a young boy growing up in a secular Muslim family, to come to terms with his own spirituality, nurtured by his mother's deeply religious friend, "Mina Auntie", whom he loves, and who encourages him to study Koran. When Mina falls in love with a Jewish colleague of his father's, the boy is confused about his own sexual and religious longings and, isolated and overwhelmed by painful contradictions which he is too young to sort out, he makes destructive choices that have far-reaching consequences. As he matures, he comes to understand the animosity of his parents toward the misogyny and xenophobia of the Muslim community, though their own marriage is itself deeply flawed.

A very thought-provoking book, in which the reader can empathize with all of the characters, and gain a deeper understanding of a variety of points of view.(less)

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Apr 30, 2013 Don rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

(FROM MY BLOG)

And Allah said: I am with the ones
whose hearts are torn.
--Hadith Qudsi

The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
--F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ayad Akhtar's novel, American Dervish, begins with a prologue: Hayat, a Pakistani-American college student, is eating his first pork at a basketball game and exulting over his new freedom from the claims of religious faith. The novel then flas...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I need Ayad Akhtar to hurry up and write more books. American Dervish is about a Pakistani American family told from Hayat Shah's point of view. Hayat lives in Wisconsin and his parents are unhappily married. Hayat's mother, Muneer, is best friends with Mina, who is still in Pakistan. Mina's ex-husband threatens to take their son, Imran, from her. Mina flees from Pakistan with Imran and moves in with the Shahs. Hayat's father, Naveed, doesn't object and Mina becomes a part of the family. Mina is...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Dorien rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ayad Akhtar is in Amerika geboren als kind van Pakistaanse ouders. De hemelverdiener is zijn debuutroman, met veel autobiografische trekjes.

Hayat vertelt aan Rachel, zijn vriendin, over zijn jeugd ten tijde van Jimmy Carter, eind jaren zeventig. Zijn ouders zijn voor zijn geboorte geëmigreerd van Pakistan naar Amerika. Zijn vader heeft zich eenmaal in Amerika afgekeerd van de islam. Hij is dus een afvallige, tevens aan de drank en niet vies van een slippertje. Hayats moeder worstelt met de heim...more Ayad Akhtar is in Amerika geboren als kind van Pakistaanse ouders. De hemelverdiener is zijn debuutroman, met veel autobiografische trekjes.

Hayat vertelt aan Rachel, zijn vriendin, over zijn jeugd ten tijde van Jimmy Carter, eind jaren zeventig. Zijn ouders zijn voor zijn geboorte geëmigreerd van Pakistan naar Amerika. Zijn vader heeft zich eenmaal in Amerika afgekeerd van de islam. Hij is dus een afvallige, tevens aan de drank en niet vies van een slippertje. Hayats moeder worstelt met de heimwee naar haar geboorteland en het gedrag van haar man. Ze is nog wel gelovig, en zijn avontuurtjes ondermijnen hun relatie.

Dan vlucht Mina, de hartsvriendin van Hayats moeder, uit Pakistan naar Amerika en trekt samen met haar zoontje in bij Hayat en zijn ouders. Mina blijkt over veel kennis van de Koran te beschikken en ze leert Hayat de diepere betekenis kennen. Dat dit leidt tot radicalisering in zijn geloof valt in eerste instantie niemand op. Mina is ook een mooie vrouw, en ondanks het leeftijdsverschil wordt Hayat verliefd op haar.
Dan wordt Mina op haar beurt verliefd op een joodse man en maakt trouwplannen met hem. Dit valt volledig verkeerd bij haar ouders en binnen de Amerikaans-Pakistaanse moslimgemeenschap, en Hayat ziet zijn kans schoon om haar te behoeden voor een fout. De joodse man verdwijnt door zijn toedoen van het toneel en Mina trouwt met een fundamentalist die haar dwingt alleen nog maar onder begeleiding met een boerka het huis te verlaten. Veel erger is dat hij haar stelselmatig mishandelt en Mina langzaam volledig wegkwijnt.

De recensent van The Chicago Tribune vermoedde bij het uitkomen van De hemelverdiener dat het dé hit van 2012 zou worden. Het lijkt er echter op dat hij geen gelijk gaat krijgen. Als je De hemelverdiener vergelijkt met bijvoorbeeld Het huis van de moskee van Kader Abdolah, omdat in beide boeken de islam een belangrijke rol speelt, delft De hemelverdiener onherroepelijk het onderspit. Het huis van de moskee is zoveel rijker geschreven, niet alleen qua stijl, maar ook qua inhoud. In De hemelverdiener vliegen de clichés je om de oren, en Akhtar is regelmatig te lang van stof.
De hemelverdiener is overigens geen slecht boek, want het biedt inkijkje in de Pakistaanse moslimgemeenschap in Amerika, en dat is op zich natuurlijk interessant. In hoeverre een en ander op de waarheid berust, is niet goed controleerbaar voor ons; niet-moslims in een ander werelddeel en in een heel andere tijd.
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Feb 18, 2013 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This coming of age story is one of the most thought-provoking books that I have read in a long time. Growing up Muslim in Wisconsin during the 1980s was complex. Hayat Shah was born in the United States, his parents were both raised in Pakistan and came to the United States as young adults, and their Muslim faith is not a strong presence in their lives nor, as a result, in Hayat's. Ten year old Hayat has a deep sense of being an outsider in his school and his neighborhood because of his skin col...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Ellen O'brien rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A coming of age novel about a Muslim family from Pakistan and the impact of religion and love on their young son. Hayat falls in love with his mother's friend, Mina, who flees an abusive husband in Pakistan. His father is becoming more and more "corrupted" by America. His mother is more and more concerned that Hayat will adopt the Muslim male attitude toward women that she blames for her and Mina's unhappy marriages. In her efforts to spare Mina her own fate, Hayat's mother tries to set Mina up...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Samina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was well written but not as gripping as "the kite runner" or even "Kabul Beauty School". Being a muslim most parts of it were too disturbing to me to really enjoy the book and others were too stereotypical. Some of the details are unquestionably true for a number of families raising children over here but it cannot be generalized for a majority of the Pakistani families. I have three uncles who raising their kids here and these kids are very enlightened and well-rounded while still following...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Jason A. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first "straight" fiction story I have read since High School. I have to say that I was presently surprised. I picked it up because it seemed compelling and different, and I read it with great thought and intention. Hayat seems very much like any adolescent American with issues, and it comes across less as whining than I thought it would. In fact I found myself pushed forward through this story of broken familia relationships and religious confusion to what can only be described as 't...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Lesie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well done although nothing terribly new. I would have liked a greater depth of the male characters, including Mina's young son. He seemed overly childlike throughout the entire story.
I appreciated learning more about the nuances of the Quaran and how passages are interpreted depending upon who is preaching or studying or reading. Completely the same as the Bible and the Torah. In this way one can feel the"sameness" to all faiths despite the differences that each religion feels it holds above oth...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Nazia Rahman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have yet to read many pieces, if any at all, by an American Muslim, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was intense at times, and I had to put it down, because this was a very realistic novel and it was depressing at times. This follows the story of a young Pakistani boy named Hayat. Encouraged by his mother’s oldest friend, Mina, who, with her young son, is a house guest with his family – Hayat starts studying the quran. Hayat’s father is a very secular Pakistani doctor whose personality clashe...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Nupur rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the story of a young Pakistani boy living in the American Midwest and trying to make sense of his culture, background and the realities he lives it. Also the first book in a long time where the Islamic faith has not been treated with disdain or through the narrow scope of the horrific events of 9/11, and that in itself is refreshing.

So Hayat, the kid who grows from a boy of 5-6 to a young adult is your typical kid - largely. In the first few pages, he suffers the death of his 'aunt' and...more This is the story of a young Pakistani boy living in the American Midwest and trying to make sense of his culture, background and the realities he lives it. Also the first book in a long time where the Islamic faith has not been treated with disdain or through the narrow scope of the horrific events of 9/11, and that in itself is refreshing.

So Hayat, the kid who grows from a boy of 5-6 to a young adult is your typical kid - largely. In the first few pages, he suffers the death of his 'aunt' and begins to share the story of his life with a young Jewish woman with the words: "You may not like me very much if I tell you what happened..."

On the contrary, you would like him quite a bit. He reveals the intricacies of growing up in a conservative society where forward is shunned, along with those who adopt a more liberal attitude or question the believes of the ultra-conservative. The story really begins when Mina, his mother's best friend escapes with her son from a controlling ex-husband in Pakistan. Hayat looks forward to it as he already has a crush on Mina (on a photograph, no less) and Mina adores him like a son. She soon introduces him to the Qur'an and Hayat takes to it like a fish to water. Things start to go awry when soon, Mina falls for a Jewish doctor and feelings of betrayal start to set in, leading to Mina marrying someone just like her ex and Hayat never getting over the guilt.

Although this is written as an adult book, to me, it seems like it should have been targeted more towards the Young Adults, especially today when there is a dire need to understand Islam and the confusion or struggles that accompanies growing up Muslim (or really any 'alien' faith) in America. Now there are steroetypes in it as well - the cleric who doesn't budge, the hatred of Jews preached, etc. and that is where the story stumbles. There are moments of melodrama and really could've been done without (Mina breaking Hayat's hand in anger - I doubt anyone in the South Asian will dare say anything to a host's kid, let alone hit one in anger).

The books' main redeeming feature was that the author, who is also an actor and playwright is trying to increase understanding of a sometimes mis-understood faith, but there clearly needs to be more.(less)

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Oct 14, 2012 Helena rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Realistic, strong writing and character development. This book is about coming of age, navigating two very different cultures, discerning the difference between doctrine and dogma, while raising important social issues. The primary characters wrestle with the ongoing challenge of honoring faith and culture while attempting to exert some control over personal destiny and individuality. The book also addresses the current state of Islam (and all religions) regarding practice in the west. At what p...more Realistic, strong writing and character development. This book is about coming of age, navigating two very different cultures, discerning the difference between doctrine and dogma, while raising important social issues. The primary characters wrestle with the ongoing challenge of honoring faith and culture while attempting to exert some control over personal destiny and individuality. The book also addresses the current state of Islam (and all religions) regarding practice in the west. At what point does a spiritual path/doctrine descend into destructive religious and political ideology? When does self discipline and honoring one's responsibility to family and community become easy, but mindless adherence to outdated precepts that ignore the underlying premise of that spiritual path?

Ayad Akhtar explores the impact of society and community on living one's faith, the various reasons why intelligent, good people might embrace being led by those with personal agendas at odds with the basic tenets of a spiritual path or religion. Often the primary goal of these leaders is to enhance their power within a community. Even the devil can recite scripture for his own purposes...but why do thinking, conscientious adults buy into the blatant hypocrisy?

The experiences of Jason, a character choosing to convert to Islam are accurate, relevant, and common today, almost textbook for converts. I know a number of people attracted to Sufism and the gentle aspects of Islam who decided to convert, and experienced similar responses and reactions within the ummah(Islamic community). This seems especially true of those not 'marrying into the faith', for they lack any form of support or encouragement. After a year or two honeymoon, when the novelty & curiosity about the 'new convert' wears off , most find themselves isolated and discouraged by behaviors that in any society are considered aggressive, blatantly rude, manipulative and offensive. Why do religious communities espousing compassion, tolerance and 'brotherhood' repel those they seek to convert?

Maybe the answer has as much to do with being human, and 'safeguarding' one's cultural identity as it does religion. The nature of The Group is to preserve identity, cohesiveness, and not lose control to interlopers or unknown, possibly detrimental influences from Outside the circle. However, driving Outsiders ( seeking to become 'insiders) away with racism and threats of personal violence keeps a community isolated, feeds into a victim pathology, a siege mentality that keeps the group firmly under the control of a few guru types (usually male) who lay down the law and run the show, with benefits.

The gender issue within the ummah is also addressed from a number of different viewpoints, and done very well. There is an honesty here, a bravery in stating what it is and how it affects women and the family, that I admire.

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Oct 04, 2012 tina added it · review of another edition

In the world of pop books, a world i know nothing about, I am happily far less judgmental than I normally would be. I liked this book over all. but akhtar did do a lot of telling. he used a lot of adverbs as well, which i'm not used to. he also made all-or-nothing characters, which creates a good versus evil quality that kind of mirrors the quran. Hayat, which is a great name, is about the most innocent kid i've ever encountered. how can he watch any tv and know nothing about sex, development, o...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Lara Zuberi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I definitely enjoyed it, it was very deep and had many layers to it. Parts of it were a bit crude for my liking, however, I do applaud Ayad for giving the reader a taste of sharply contrasting viewpoints in the portrayal of different characters as well as those same conflicts within the main characters themselves. Perhaps because of the writer's background as a playwright, at times there seemed to be a dearth of descriptions in terms of time and place. The characterization and dialogue is excell...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Nancy Brisson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I read the jacket notes describing this book, I almost didn’t read it because I scented tragedy for our young main character, Hayat Shah. But there are few books available written by Pakistanis who have become American citizens so I elected to be brave and read on.

Hayat Shah’s mom, Muneer Shah, and his dad, Naveed Shah, are not in a marriage made in heaven. They fell in love in college but their love did not survive their relocation to America. They snipe at each other and disappoint each o...more When I read the jacket notes describing this book, I almost didn’t read it because I scented tragedy for our young main character, Hayat Shah. But there are few books available written by Pakistanis who have become American citizens so I elected to be brave and read on.

Hayat Shah’s mom, Muneer Shah, and his dad, Naveed Shah, are not in a marriage made in heaven. They fell in love in college but their love did not survive their relocation to America. They snipe at each other and disappoint each other all the time. Naveed has affairs and drinks, neither activity supported by his Moslem religion. But Naveed is a modern man both in the sense that he is neurologist (a scientist) and that he finds religion to be divisive and narrow-minded, an excuse to be exclusive and critical of others; to cloak oneself in righteousness and superiority. Muneer does not respect her husband because of his drinking and his cheating; she wishes for the love he gives to others and she is embarrassed by his aggressive disavowal of his Muslim faith and all religious beliefs.

Into this household comes Mina, Muneer’s oldest friend from Pakistan, divorced from her husband in Pakistan with a four-year-old son Imran. She has custody of her son until he is seven and time is slipping away. She comes to America in the hopes that she will be able to prevent her husband from taking their son. She is a beauty and is full of warmth and faith in the Muslim religion. She is also full of stories. She gives Hayat a Quran of his own and tells him about the hafiz, young men who memorize the Quran. Of course, Hayat immediately decides to become a hafiz (without mentioning it to his father.)

Mina’s infusion of her own personality and beliefs into the Shah household causes tensions between Muneer and Naveed to increase. Hayat soon develops a crush on his vivacious “auntie” and begins to experience a whole world of feelings he has never before dealt with (he is quite young), like jealousy and infatuation and religious fervor. Even with the distractions Muneer and Imran bring to the household, the household is enlivened by their presence for a while.

Muneer decides that if her friend Mina were to meet someone and marry she would be able to stay in America and she would be happy and her son would get to stay with her. Mina’s two very different adventures in dating rock her world, Hayat’s world and everyone else’s world. Here is where tragedy ensues, but whose tragedy? If you would enjoy an enlightening and intimate look into the life of Pakistanis and Muslims in American, American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar gives you both an absorbing story and insight into some of the issues Muslim-American’s wrestle with.
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Aug 08, 2012 Myron Brown rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

American Dervish is the story of the spiritual and sexual awakening of Hayat Shah, a Pakistani American boy on the crisp of his teens. His mother's best friend, Mina, moves into his home and he is immediately smitten with her. Mina is a recently divorced Pakistani with a five year old son who moves to America to keep her son, Imran, away from her ex-husband's family. Mina opens Hayat to the wonders of Islam but he has to navigate through spiritual concepts he does not quite understand against th...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Chrissy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought this book was a really thoughtful account of growing up Muslim during the 80's in the Midwest; I enjoyed it all the more for having grown up in a similar time/place. It was as much a Muslim boy's coming of age story as it was Islam's coming of age in the US - e.g., by setting in the 80's, before terrorism and 9/11, the author was free to compare and contrast Islam among it's American followers and dissenters in a much more authentic narrative. None of the characters were caricatures, e...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Garryvivianne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hayat Shah is a young American boy who is of Pakistani heritage. His parents argue alot, his mother knows about the father's indescretions & has no qualms about telling her son about how bad the father is. Then his mother's best friend Mina arrives from Pakistan due to her dissolving marriage. Young Hayat is infatuated. Even the father can see the liveliness & happy feelings she brings to the family. She is also very spiritual. She begans teaching Hayat how to read the Quran. He feels he...more

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May 27, 2012 Rosemary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hayat Shah is a Pakistani American Muslim boy growing up near Milwaukee; his parents are not particularly religious, especially his father but they enjoy getting together with other Pakistani families. His mother's friend, Mina, comes to live with them with her son, Imran, to escape her violent and very conservative husband in Pakistan. Mina encourages Hayat to memorize and study the Quran, to pray by listening to the still small voice inside of you, the silence at the end of your own breath. Fr...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This portrait of a family struggling with their religious beliefs and heritage was a compelling look into the idea that none of us fits into a perfect little box. I challenge any human to read a holy book cover to cover and agree wholeheartedly with every statement, as written, without interpretation.

Hayat’s upbringing demonstrates for us how difficult it is to be a member of an ethnoreligious group in a strange country. Not only is he faced with being a Pakistani-American, but he is also faced...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Maggie Tiojakin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the arts, nothing seems more thrilling than the discovery of a new talent; and Ayad Akhtar’s debut novel, AMERICAN DERVISH, promises just that.

Prior to purchasing this novel, I had never heard of Ayad Akhtar. Ever since I left the US in 2006, keeping up with American literature has become somewhat of a nuisance. The local bookstores in Jakarta are numerous and books are sold in heaps upon heaps. However, a good supply of English books is never easy to find. Chains like Periplus, Aksara Bookst...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Kathleen Hagen added it · review of another edition

American Dervish, by Ayad Ahktar, narrated by the author, Produced by Hachette Audio, Downloaded from audible.com.

Hayad Shah, a second generation American whose parents and family are immigrants from Pakistan, is in college cultivating a new girl friend to whom he tells the story of his never-ending guilt for something that happened before he was even out of grade school. His mother’s beautiful best friend, Nina, came from Pakistan and moved in with his family. Nina is not as observant a Moslem...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A moving story about how the protagonist Hayat Shah, the only son of Pakistani Muslim parents was living on the outskirts of Milwaukee and beginning to learn about his heritage, culture and about the different interpretations of Islamic beliefs. This is a strength of the novel, its well rounded and realistic approach to the interpretations if Islam. Upon the death of his aunt Mina Hayat, at novels end a college student, reflects for most of the novel, on his troubling youth and challenging child...more

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About Ayad Akhtar

Ayad Akhtar is a novelist, screenwriter, and playwright. Born in New York City and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he is the author of American Dervish, published in more than 20 languages worldwide and a 2012 Best Book of the Year at Kirkus Reviews, Toronto's Globe and Mail, Shelf-Awareness, and O (Oprah) Magazine. He is also a playwright and screenwriter. His stage play Disgraced played at New Y...more

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Quotes from American Dervish

“The secret of a happy life is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for others.” — 31 people liked it

“Always imagine him close to you when you pray,' she explained. 'If you think of Him as near, then that's where you will find Him. And if you think of Him as far away, then that's where He will be.” — 3 people liked it

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