Sandy's review of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
I've been trying to read some good Pakistani writing in English for a while now. And I'm glad I made an introduction with Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist, who earlier wrote Moth Smoke, a novel, which Rahul Bose is now adapting into a film.
Lately, there has been a flowering of young Pakistani writers like Hamid and Kamila Shamsie (Cartography, Salt And Saffron), and in many ways, this is the first literary stirring that the country is witnessing.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist looks at the increasingly volatile and precariously balanced relationship between the West (United States) and East (South Asian Muslim countries), and how without a certain sense empathy, this equation will steadily spiral downwards.
Interestingly, Hamid’s point here is that a feeling of fundamentalism can arise in the unlikeliest of people, when they feel pushed to a corner.
The novel’s protagonist, Changez is a Princeton graduate, has led a charmed life back in Pakistan and is all set...more
Lately, there has been a flowering of young Pakistani writers like Hamid and Kamila Shamsie (Cartography, Salt And Saffron), and in many ways, this is the first literary stirring that the country is witnessing.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist looks at the increasingly volatile and precariously balanced relationship between the West (United States) and East (South Asian Muslim countries), and how without a certain sense empathy, this equation will steadily spiral downwards.
Interestingly, Hamid’s point here is that a feeling of fundamentalism can arise in the unlikeliest of people, when they feel pushed to a corner.
The novel’s protagonist, Changez is a Princeton graduate, has led a charmed life back in Pakistan and is all set...more
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message 1:
by
deleted member
02/01/2008 11:41AM
I'm intrigued..Excellent review Sandy.Now i am doubly excited about the Kolkata book Fair. Sandy can u suggest some more Pakistani writers (keeping in mind that i am a beginner).
Tania,
Salman Rushdie is of course a good Pakistani writer. In recent years, as I mentioned there's Kamila Shamsie and Moshin hamid. Personally, I'm looking to read more books by Pakistani authors myself.
Hey, I'm wondering whether you have checked out my blogs, http://www.sandyi.blogspot.com...">http://www.sandyi.blogspot.com... and
http://www.sandyi.blogspot.com...">http://www.sandyi.blogspot.com...
message 3:
by
deleted member
(last edited 03/17/2008 06:05AM)
03/17/2008 06:03AM
,, a comprehensive review ,, speaks my heart out :),, but i would contradict your viewpoint about salman rushdei
