**Mohsin Hamid’s novel hits No 1 spot on bestseller list
**WASHINGTON: Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid’s new novel, his second, has hit the No 1 spot on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. This, according to the New York Times, happened “virtually the moment it was published in this country.”
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An Interview by the New York Times
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Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
I'm dying to read this book...will buy it today....
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
send me a copy also 
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
Ah Moth Smoke was a read...shame I lost it so couldnt finish it.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
whatst he name of the book ?
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
^^ "the reluctant fundamentalist"
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
Here is an excerpt! Check out the genius of the technique, the awsome way of writing prose. No wonder its a bestseller. He knows his stuff.
[QUOTE]
Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed you. Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America. I noticed that you were looking for something; more than looking, in fact you seemed to be on a mission, and since I am both a native of this city and a speaker of your language, I thought I might offer you my services.
How did I know you were American? No, not by the color of your skin; we have a range of complexions in this country, and yours occurs often among the people of our northwest frontier. Nor was it your dress that gave you away; a European tourist could as easily have purchased in Des Moines your suit, with its single vent, and your button-down shirt. True, your hair, short-cropped, and your expansive chest — the chest, I would say, of a man who bench-presses regularly, and maxes out well above two-twenty-five — are typical of a certain type of American; but then again, sportsmen and soldiers of all nationalities tend to look alike. Instead, it was your bearing that allowed me to identify you, and I do not mean that as an insult, for I see your face has hardened, but merely as an observation.
Come, tell me, what were you looking for? Surely, at this time of day, only one thing could have brought you to the district of Old Anarkali — named, as you may be aware, after a courtesan immured for loving a prince — and that is the quest for the perfect cup of tea. Have I guessed correctly? Then allow me, sir, to suggest my favorite among these many establishments. Yes, this is the one. Its metal chairs are no better upholstered, its wooden tables are equally rough, and it is, like the others, open to the sky. But the quality of its tea, I assure you, is unparalleled.
You prefer that seat, with your back so close to the wall? Very well, although you will benefit less from the intermittent breeze, which, when it does blow, makes these warm afternoons more pleasant. And will you not remove your jacket? So formal! Now that is not typical of Americans, at least not in my experience. And my experience is substantial: I spent four and a half years in your country. Where? I worked in New York, and before that attended college in New Jersey. Yes, you are right: it was Princeton! Quite a guess, I must say.
What did I think of Princeton? Well, the answer to that question requires a story. When I first arrived, I looked around me at the Gothic buildings — younger, I later learned, than many of the mosques of this city, but made through acid treatment and ingenious stonemasonry to look older — and thought, This is a dream come true. Princeton inspired in me the feeling that my life was a film in which I was the star and everything was possible. I have access to this beautiful campus, I thought, to professors who are titans in their fields and fellow students who are philosopher-kings in the making.
I was, I must admit, overly generous in my initial assumptions about the standard of the student body. They were almost all intelligent, and many were brilliant, but whereas I was one of only two Pakistanis in my entering class — two from a population of over a hundred million souls, mind you — the Americans faced much less daunting odds in the selection process. A thousand of your compatriots were enrolled, five hundred times as many, even though your country’s population was only twice that of mine. As a result, the non-Americans among us tended on average to do better than the Americans, and in my case I reached my senior year without having received a single B.
Looking back now, I see the power of that system, pragmatic and effective, like so much else in America. We international students were sourced from around the globe, sifted not only by well-honed standardized tests but by painstakingly customized evaluations — interviews, essays, recommendations — until the best and the brightest of us had been identified. I myself had among the top exam results in Pakistan and was besides a soccer player good enough to compete on the varsity team, which I did until I damaged my knee in my sophomore year. Students like me were given visas and scholarships, complete financial aid, mind you, and invited into the ranks of the meritocracy. In return, we were expected to contribute our talents to your society, the society we were joining. And for the most part, we were happy to do so. I certainly was, at least at first.
Every fall, Princeton raised her skirt for the corporate recruiters who came onto campus and — as you say in America — showed them some skin. The skin Princeton showed was good skin, of course — young, eloquent, and clever as can be — but even among all that skin, I knew in my senior year that I was something special. I was a perfect breast, if you will — tan, succulent, seemingly defiant of gravity — and I was confident of getting any job I wanted.
[/QUOTE]
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a terrific piece of work by Mohsin Hamid. Very easy to read. I finished this engaging book in one day. If you have attended Princeton, visited NYC, worked in a Valuation Firm or dated a girl that has deep emotional issues, you will feel right at home. If you have not experienced any of these things, then I assure you that Mohsin Hamid is going to take you on this ride.
I am so glad to see Pakistani authors emerging on the global scene. No offense to India, but it is time for us to step out as a distinct cultural force.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
Ah Moth Smoke was a read...shame I lost it so couldnt finish it.
yeah, moth smoke was really good. I was in the middle of my reader's bloc and still finished it.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
i’d buy it to read on the plane but damnit books here cost so much $$!! 
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
I've just read that actually.
Wonderful book - it keeps you hooked from the frist page to the last.
I read it in a weekend.. couldnt put it down -
its money well spent Sara
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List Again! Pakistan Zindabad!
I just heard that he’s been nominated for the Booker Prize this year :k: :k:
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
The book’s on sale for **$3.98](http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?bargain=Y&WRD=reluctant+fundamentalist) **at B&N. They’re running a promotion of buy 2 bargain books, get 1 free.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
its still an awesome book. too bad it was so short.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
its still an awesome book. too bad it was so short.
Agreed. Any idea on a possible film?
The man has some amazing skills, just ignore the haters.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
a movie would be interesting, i wonder how they'd do it. one thing i liked was that this book was different than moth smoke. it just seemed less dense and def alot shorter. but i didn't get something........ but i dont want to give away spiolers..
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
I was at one of his book tours and someone asked the possibility of film..Mohsin deftly ducked the question. So maybe there is something in works.
I really like his writing style. Have you read some of his articles? http://www.mohsinhamid.com/articles.html
I think all younger Pakistanis (particularly those educated abroad) should take an active role in writing and representing Pakistan in a positive light.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
Apparently Mira Nair is making a movie... this according to his website.
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
I don't know. For me, moth smoke was the better one
Re: Mohsin Hamid Tops Best Seller List! / Update: Nominated for Booker Prize
Apparently Mira Nair is making a movie... this according to his website.
Leave it to Mira Nair to mess up another good book.