I am apprehensive about reading books or watching films on prevailing topics like terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism were just after 9/11 and rape was just after the Delhi rape incident. I often, find these stories gimmicky, written not because the writer had a story to tell but because it was a story that the audiences would like to see or read. Such stories read contrived and thus disappoint. So, it was with some trepidation that I added 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' to my reading list, the excellent reviews swayed me towards it.
And the story does not disappoint. For one, it is not about a young, innocent Muslim boy who is wronged by America or administration, turns into a radical but is killed just before he can bomb an American city into oblivion. The story is about Changez, a Pakistani student who graduates among the top in his class at Princeton, and lands a dream job, but 9/11 happens and changes everything. In this story, unlike most others on the topic, the catalyst for the change in Changez is his inner conflict. Should he align himself to his inherent sense of allegiance towards his land of birth? Or should he continue on his professional journey in the country at war with his homeland? Or is there a middle path?
The hero of the novel though is not Change, or the plot, it is the narrative style that Hamid chooses to tell the story. By making Changez the narrator of his story, he gave me a singular point of view and allowed me to imagine the rest based on Changez's narration of events.
'Is he to be believed?
'No! He is he an unreliable narrator.'
'He sounds genuine enough, doesn't he?'
As the story twisted and turned towards the climax, I oscillated between the options, but not even after the end could I make up my mind. The author's movement between the present and the past is smooth. And, the clues he gives about Changez's listener through Changez's eyes are enough for the reader to get an inkling about his identity without it being revealed.
"Run, Changez, run," I almost screamed out. "Get away from this man." But, the warning stayed stuck in my throat.
And the story does not disappoint. For one, it is not about a young, innocent Muslim boy who is wronged by America or administration, turns into a radical but is killed just before he can bomb an American city into oblivion. The story is about Changez, a Pakistani student who graduates among the top in his class at Princeton, and lands a dream job, but 9/11 happens and changes everything. In this story, unlike most others on the topic, the catalyst for the change in Changez is his inner conflict. Should he align himself to his inherent sense of allegiance towards his land of birth? Or should he continue on his professional journey in the country at war with his homeland? Or is there a middle path?
The hero of the novel though is not Change, or the plot, it is the narrative style that Hamid chooses to tell the story. By making Changez the narrator of his story, he gave me a singular point of view and allowed me to imagine the rest based on Changez's narration of events.
'Is he to be believed?
'No! He is he an unreliable narrator.'
'He sounds genuine enough, doesn't he?'
As the story twisted and turned towards the climax, I oscillated between the options, but not even after the end could I make up my mind. The author's movement between the present and the past is smooth. And, the clues he gives about Changez's listener through Changez's eyes are enough for the reader to get an inkling about his identity without it being revealed.
"Run, Changez, run," I almost screamed out. "Get away from this man." But, the warning stayed stuck in my throat.
