Ever wondered how even a cut throat intellectual cannot hide reservations on the subject of patriotism while living in a first world nation?
This novel by Hamid presents you exactly that.
The unnamed- unreliable narrator is a Pakistan born who lives in America and constantly stuggles as to where his loyalties lie. At every point he makes sure that his "pakistani-ness" is invisible in the American world, cloaked by his suit, expense account and most of all his companions. However, this happens because of the unconscious inferiority complex of originally belonging to a third world nation that is presently in ruins. The 9/11 incident is a climactic turn in the novel as it shifts the whole world view of the narrator. The racism that he suffers being a pakistani reveals the American Islamophobia. He begins to hate the American world that he till now cherished to a point of fault.
There are a lot of interesting symbols that one comes across in the novel which mostly unfold post the 9/11 incident.
The ending of the novel can leave you baffled because of its open ended nature.
We are made to question- how can one not be a fundamentalist even if "reluctant" in a world which cares less about your intellect, character and intent, and more about your RACE.
Its a must read for those who want to learn about a third world diasporic self in the so called American world that supposedly prides itself on the "life, libery and pursuit of happiness" myth.