December 3, 2012
Ambition rules in this playful third novel from PEN/Hemingway Award finalist Hamid (The Reluctant Fundamentalist). The novel follows the unnamed narrator’s journey from his village childhood to becoming a corporate superstar in the big city. The novel is told in the second person, the narrator ushering us through a life in an unidentified developing Asian country while elucidating the many conditions that must be met to become filthy rich. The hero seems to be on the right track; still, he must navigate the usual obstacles in life that could hinder the way to his final goal: family illness, bad luck, and most dangerously, love. The protagonist is merely a teenager when he meets his ideal woman, but this pretty girl’s life has a similar arc as the hero’s. Though readers may find it frustrating that they never overlap for long, the intermittent intersections provide them an anchor to the lives they left in desperation. The book takes its formal cues from the self-help genre, but the adopting of that form’s unceasing optimism also nullifies any sense of depth or struggle. Fortunately, Hamid offers a subtle and rich look at the social realities of developing countries, including corruption, poverty, and how economic development affects daily life from top to bottom. Agent: Jay Mandel, William Morris Endeavor.
April 29, 2013
Moshin Hamid’s novel follows a nameless protagonist who struggles to overcome poverty and find a life of luxury through a mixture of persistent hard work, luck, and, at times, questionable ethics. The entire book is told in the second person, which makes for a curious listening experience. Repeatedly hearing “you” is not something audiobook listeners are used to—but it works exceedingly well here because of Hamid’s skill as both a writer and narrator. His reading is deliberate and reserved, nuanced and subtle. This understated delivery contrasts strongly with the sometimes powerful and shocking content of the book. Still, it is a performance that drives the story forward, as listeners wait with great anticipation to learn what will happen to “you.” A Riverhead paperback.