The Reluctant Fundamentalist

I was given this book by a friend who said she did not believe that books could actually change lives, but this one came close. Admittedly I was afraid I would have to change friends, novelas have never been a genre I could appreciate, but I still have my friend and I found a noteworthy book.

Putting the plot aside for the moment, The Reluctant Fundamentalist delivers in the narrative department. It's 1st person voice (which it consistently uses) acts as if he were talking to you the reader. The conversational tone puts up a disarming front. I started reading expecting a personal history and found just that, only with a very thoughtful, surprising, political commentary that made me quite uncomfortable (NOTE: I firmly believe that the best literature makes you uncomfortable, so I encourage rather than discourage these feelings).

Told from the perspective of a Pakistani who previously lived in the US, during September 11th, he makes some absolutely anti-American sentiments but in a courteous manner and with evidence to show his opinion, while possibly repulsive, has merit. The conversational narrative allows Fundamentalist to approach the controversial and uncomfortable topic (for Americans anyway) of USA versus The Middle East in a less accusatory and threatening manner and more like two intellectuals equals sharing opinions and thoughts over a casual dinner, which is actually the premise of the book.

The book's ending acts as a reprimand against Americans; however, you have to give Moshin Hamid credit for providing a mostly non-threatening censure on American politics and still providing entertaining and smart literature.

So.... even if you could care less for politics, this book at least steers away from the classic omnipotent narrator and offers a refreshingly different narrative voice. The prose is nothing extraordinary, but I still recommend.