The Reluctant Fundamentalist (edit title)

• Rated 4 stars

“Chosen by Mary
Score - 77 out of 100”

• Rated 4 stars

“a gripping novella - one that makes you want to understand more about how American culture is sorely mistrusted - but there are some things I didn't like as well: the naivete of Changez seems implausible for one thing and pretense that his faith has filled the hollows of his longing for something more fulfilling in life”

• Rated 4 stars

“Chosen by Mary
Score - 77 out of 100”

• Rated 4 stars

“My sister Muna gave me this book. The title isn't very appealing but what a surprising book. It describes the journey of a young muslim man down the path of islamic fundamentalism. Very enjoyable. Can't wait for the movie to come out.”

• Rated 3 stars

“The story line just seemed hollow. from the co-workers and 911 to the relationship it seem too staged and lacked depth and in some areas it dragged on but in areas where more depth would have been appreciated it was instead brief or rushed. It was an okay read but I am note sure it was deserving of all the hype it recieved ”

• Rated 4 stars

“very interesting style and story. Ive never read a book quite like this one. The ending was great-thrilling and ambiguous. The story was emotional but also political-the story took place during the 9/11 attack.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Great book. Suspenseful. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“I am not sure what to think about this book. I think will take it to my book club to get some other opinions on it!”

• Rated 3 stars

“Not at all what the title leads you to believe the story is about. It was also pretentious at times, but despite its flaws, it's still a good story that kept me reading to the end.”

• Rated 2 stars

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist is one of those books I had passed in the bookstore dozens of times. I’d picked it up, read the back, then put it back down again. Eventually I gave in and checked it out of the library to satisfy my curiosity about it. Yet despite its popularity, something about it didn’t ring true to me.

Changez is an intelligent and successful Princeton graduate. Despite having been born in Pakistan, he feels like he has adopted his affluent lifestyle completely. 9/11 changes that perception for him, and he realizes that some part of him doesn’t fit in. Later he tells his story to an American at an open-air restaurant, and the reader can’t help but feel that the situation is a bit sinister.

I did not dislike this book, but it didn’t ring true to me. Everything from his romance with Erica to his relationship with his coworkers in the wake of 9/11 seemed hollow and contrived. ”