I guess after you've worked at a bookshop, you're going to have a lot of books on your to-read list. This one, however, has lasted the test of time- a book that I would pick up, read its blurb, and say 'Must read that sometime' at least once a week. During what has probably been the most hectic two weeks of my life, I decided to finally give this a go during all those commuting rush-hours- and fittingly, I rushed through it.
First of all, the writing style completely won me over. It is essentially a conversation, in the city of , between a city native, Changez, and a nameless American man- except the latter never directly speaks within the novel. Changez just lets us know his presence: 'Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I seem to have alarmed you.' It feels like me we are taking the part of the American man, and Changez is speaking directly to us- a great technique used by Hamid to make his lead character a solid, sympathy-inducing character.
While it is a conversation, Changez turns it more into a monologue, recounting his time spent in New York, both as a student at Princeton, and a graduate at valuation firm Underwood Samson. At first, it seems everything goes swimmingly for him in the States- he's the top novice at his firm, he becomes infatuated with a gorgeous, charismatic American girl, he is able to help out his family back home financially. However, after 9/11, every aspect of Changez's world begins to unravel, as he begins to reject his new New Yorker self, instead asserting his Pakistani self and becoming wrapped up in the imminent atrocities in his homeland.
Just like every person in the book that meets Changez, any reader will become instantly charmed by his impeccable manner, his humble intelligence, and his genuine kindness. Arguably, the other characters are not completely fleshed out, but then again that is staying true to the nature of a monologue- it's all about the person speaking. The only character really delved into is the troubled Erica, as Changez seems to be unable to forget her.
Both cleverly and beautifully written with an intriguing ending, I'm definitely a converted Mohsin Hamid fan. If you want something unique, yet easy to relate to, give this book a go- I bet even the slowest reader will whizz through it in a week.
One more thing- the intelligent writing extends to the title. You will see the word 'fundamental' in a whole new light...
