The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

[Clive_Higgleton]

I saw this book a couple of times in the book store and finally decided to buy it. Iv begun to read it and it a brilliant read. I have one problem and that is for the life of me, I can

[Chrissy]

Would it be 'stream of conciousness'?

 

I haven't read The Reluctant Fundalmentalist, I await your review!

[Louiseog]

I read it last year, very thoughtful, and clever, sort of stream of consciousness yes

[Janet]

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

 

 

 

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

 

The ‘blurb’

’Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance?

Ah, I see I have alarmed you.

Do not be frightened by my beard

I am a lover of America…”

 

So speaks the mysterious stranger at a Lahore caf

Edited March 29, 2009 by Janet

[Lucybird]

I read this last year and enjoyed it, although I'm still not sure what my conclusions are!

[kernow_reader]

I have this one marked tbr. Personally, I'm quite partial to streams of conscience novels.

[farmlanebooks]

I loved this book.

 

When I finished it I wasn't so sure, but after a bit of time for reflection I realised how clever this book is. I recommend it to everyone!

[Chimera]

I have to get this! I just know I'm going to love it! *grin*

 

Thanks for the review Janet! Very nicely written!

[MDR124]

I've read it once, on my way back home from Berlin. I read it in "real time", as if I was the one listening to this compelling story. Absolutely to read in one sitting

[nippysweetie_1]

Has anyone read this book by Mohsin Hamid?

[wiccibat]

Shamefully, I started it as my son in law lent it to me and my grandaughter mislaid it in the house. Are you reading it now? I was enjoying it!

[Lucybird]

Yes I have, I liked it, took me a while to get into though

[nippysweetie_1]

I've read it. I highly recommend it. Slightly disapointing ending but then I wanted more of this story.

[chesilbeach]

There's already a thread on this book here.

[Michelle]

Threads have been merged, thanks.

[nippysweetie_1]

The book is written in first person narrative. The author is speaking directly to you the reader. It is not Stream of Consciousness see James Joyce Ulyssess for example of Stream of Consciousness. Hope this helps

 

----

 

My apologies, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is written in Interior Monologue style. The authors character is speaking to an audience that has access to his thoughts and we draw our own conclusions to the characters interpretation of events. It is still a narrative or fable.

Edited July 7, 2009 by Michelle
consecutive posts merged

[vodkafan]

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

 

After reading A Thousand Splendid Suns I said I would never read another Islamic themed book; but I am glad that this one came my way (I don't remember how...)

It is a very strange and unusual book, it is one character (Changez) telling his story all the way through to a person who's responses are revealed only through things Changez says in his monologue...if you follow me.

That makes the book slightly surreal, but it works so well.

I think a lot of Americans will not like this book and will be unsettled by Changez' view of America and it's financial policies.

However, whether the reader agrees with Changez or not, his viewpoint exists (I have talked with muslims who say the same things) for real and therefore has validity; it is at least as valid as America's own view of itself. There are always two sides to every argument.

Read this book! It will make you think. But it is never boring.

[chesilbeach]

Good review, vodkafan, but for some reason I can't put my finger on, whenever I pick up this book in the bookshop, I never have the compulsion to want to actually read it.

 

There is actually already a thread for this book here if you want to have a look at some other views

 

(I'm sure some nice mod will be along shortly to merge the two threads )

[Janet]

(I'm sure some nice mod will be along shortly to merge the two threads )

That would be me! I saw the thread from the front page and knew there was an existing thread as I remember posting in it.

[vodkafan]

That would be me! I saw the thread from the front page and knew there was an existing thread as I remember posting in it.

 

Thanks Janet!

[Raskolnikov]

I read it last year and i was tricked by the title.

After all, the alledged fundamentalist is not reluctant at all.

Very anti-occidentalist in his opinions and that being said, nothing new out of clich

[vodkafan]

I read it last year and i was tricked by the title.

After all, the alledged fundamentalist is not reluctant at all.

 

That is a good point Raskolnikov; Changez is certainly always responsible for his own actions. From the point of view of his employers, it would be said that for whatever reason Changez simply failed to fulfil his potential.

The fate of his girlfriend was neither here nor there and unimportant to the story.