The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a deeply engaging novel written by Mohsin Hamid. It takes place in one single evening at a cafe in Lahore, and is set as a monologue by the protagonist describing to an American stranger, his love affair with an American woman, and why he chose to leave America to finally return to his homeland, Pakistan.
Summary Of The Book
The Reluctant Fundamentalist begins with Changez, the protagonist, who is a Princeton graduate in Finance with brilliant grades and a bright future, and got himself a well paying consulting job with Underwood Samson, an elite company that specialized in acquisitions. While vacationing with fellow Princetonians, he meets Erica, an aspiring writer, and is instantly attracted to her. Soon, they embark on an intense and complex relationship.
Meanwhile, he advances in his professional life and is sent abroad on various assignments by his superiors who are fairly impressed with his performance. Passionate about his work, he loves living in New York city, and is practically living the American dream. However, as the political climate in the world undergoes a change, he finds himself distracted by certain events. After the catastrophic September 11 attacks in America, his privileged existence can never be the same again, as he detects undercurrents of mistrust all around him, and a change in the attitude of the Americans towards him.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is an introspective and thought-provoking novel that vividly captures and explores Changez's struggles to search for his place in a once beloved country of dreams. Aware of the fact that his homeland Pakistan is now viewed with utmost suspicion by the United States, and seeing the gap between the West and the Islamic East further widening, Changez's own identity is put to test as he finds himself compelled to pursue his thoughts, beliefs, and ideals.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist has been praised by critics, readers, and media worldwide. Ranked fourth on the New York Times Bestseller List, the novel sold millions of copies. It was nominated for the Booker Prize in 2007, and went on to win multiple awards. A Hollywood movie based on the book and directed by Mira Nair was released in 2012.
About Mohsin Hamid
Mohsin Hamid is an acclaimed and award-winning Pakistani writer.
He has written two other novels, namely, Moth Smoke and How To Get Filthy Rich In Rising Asia.
His novels are considered contemporary and depictive of modern South Asian fiction. He is known to be experimental in his writing, opting for unconventional styles such as the use of dramatic monologue.
Mohsin Hamid spent his childhood in the United States, and later returned to Lahore where he studied at the Lahore American School. He went back to pursue his higher education, and graduated from Princeton in 1993. He then attended Harvard Law School studying Corporate Law, and took up a consulting job with McKinsey & Company based in New York. He currently lives in Lahore with his wife and daughter, alternating his time between Lahore, London, and the United States. He regularly writes journalistic pieces on art, literature, and politics for the New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.
