The reluctant fundamentalist, by Mohsin Hamid

Many others have reviewed this slim but thought-provoking book, which was the "Freshman Read" at Washington University this fall. I'm sorry I was out of town when it was discussed here since I would have loved to have heard what others thought of it. Told in one voice, that of the title character, it is almost hypnotic. I felt, as the unidentified American at a cafe in Lahore must have, like the wedding guest buttonholed by the Ancient Mariner. At turns thoughtful, humorous, and menacing, this disturbing account of how a bright young man from Pakistan, graduated from an Ivy League school and possessing a enviable job in high finance, is affected by the events following 9/11. A cautionary tale that should be read by the many who don't understand why "they" don't like us . 184 pp.