This book, which found a place in the short list for Man Booker prize 2007, is a portrayal of how a Pakistani Muslim's life changes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The story begins as the author, guides An American tourist, along the streets of Lahore. The author describes his story to the tourist as they have food together from a road side restaurant.
The author did his graduation from Princeton University in New York and he acquired a high paid job there itself. He fell in love with an American girl, Erica, during his Princeton days. But, Erica was a girl who had lost her lover, who was also her childhood companion. Her love towards Chris, was so strong and true that she could not accept the truth that he was no more, even several years after his death took place.
Erica liked the author, but it was not possible for her give away the space in her heart that was once occupied by Chris. At one occasion, author and Erica tried to have sex with each other, but she failed to get aroused. She confessed that it has been always like that ever since Chris died.
Erica believed that Chris was not gone yet and her mind refused to accept the truth. She found more pleasure in living with Chris, in a virtual world created in her mind. Gradually, she withdrew from all social activities.
By that time, the 9/11 attacks had taken place. It totally changed the way Americans looked at Muslims. The author had a beard and it made people look at him suspiciously. He had to face abuses from people walking along the road. Some of them turned hostile at him. He was deeply upset by all these. As a consequence of the terrorist attacks, American army invaded Afghanisthan, a muslim dominated country. The author couldn't help questioning the righteousness of the Americans.
After a few months, terrorists attacked the Indian parliament. india turned belligerent on Pakistan and a war was on the cards. The author was very unhappy because India was threatening his homeland. (That's the only place where I had to disagree with the author. It's difficult for any country to watch it's parliament being attacked and do nothing.. isn't it?). He got distracted from his work because of all these, and also due to Erica's matter.
By that time, Erica had gone away to a distant place so that she could live alone with the thoughts about Chris. The author got fired from his company and he had to go back to Pakistan. He went to meet Erica for te last time, but she had gone missing.
Hearing the whole story, the American started to be a bit suspicious. But the author proudly declares that all pakistanis are not terrorists just like all Americans are not under cover assassins.
Brilliant, according to me. It got straight away into my favorite list.
1 comments:
Are you trying to become a reluctant fundamentalist?Just felt so the way you behave nowadays..Anyway the book has influenced you a lot.No wonder it became your favorite.
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