欧宝娱乐

Nine Reasons To Read This One:

Because it鈥檚 short, yet evocative: a relief at a time when authors needlessly pile on the pages.

Because it鈥檚 hard enough to sustain a distinctive voice for a dramatic monologue in a poem (ask Robert Browning), leave alone an entire novel.

Because the voice is just right 鈥� formal without being sombre; precise without being stiff.

Because, unlike in John Updike鈥檚 Terrorist, you can empathise with and understand Changez, the fundamentalist.

Because of the delicious ironies, among them the fact that Changez works in a US firm that evaluates companies ripe for takeover; virtually the first piece of advice he receives is to stick to the fundamentals.

Because Changez鈥檚 disillusionment comes about in a nuanced, progressive manner and as such is completely believable.

Because there鈥檚 ample evidence of the author鈥檚 craft, especially in Changez鈥檚 many responses and descriptions while narrating his tale in a Lahore bazaar.

Because yet another example of such craft is that Changez鈥檚 ill-fated relationship with the USA is matched by his ill-fated relationship with Erica 鈥� without being heavy-handed about it.

Because in less than 200 pages, Hamid creates both a compelling protagonist and a compelling argument.