The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a very unusual story of a young Pakistani man, Changez, and the impact that 9-11 has on his life. Changez was a Princeton graduate and immediately hired by a very prestigious firm in NY. While living in NY, he developed a relationship with Erica, a unstable, but very outgoing girl. Changez enjoyed the American (NY American) lifestyle until the attacks on the Twin Towers when the native New Yorkers began to treat him differently because he was Muslim. He no longer felt like he “fit in.” He quickly became disillusioned with the U.S. because of their lack of support to Pakistan against rising problems with India.

Although, this novel is reviewed more as dealing with the anti-American concerns, I was pulled more toward Changez's deep affection for Erica and her emotional disorders. Erica was suffering, emotionally and physically, from the death of her boyfriend. Changez seem to be as distraught by his not being able to help Erica through these emotional problems as he was with the political issues. He eventually comes to term with the fact that he has lost Erica and becomes so disillusioned with the US, he doesn't want to live here anymore.

The story is beautifully written, a conversation between two people at a cafe in Pakistan, where you only hear one of the characters speak. The novel does leave you hanging about what really does happen in the end. The viewer's perspective on many different details throughout the novel affect the ending. Excellent discussion novel!

Mah Jongg Fix Over

Photo by decafinata
Attribution-ShareAlike License


Summer is over and so are my weekly Mah Jongg games. The original group started playing about four years ago and we started right here in my house. Since then the group has tripled in members and had become a favorite “Tega Cay Women’s Club” group that meets weekly up at the club house. Our original group, most definitely the “real” serious MJ players in my opinion, are all such great friends and I have enjoyed spending more time with them this summer, as well as, meeting and getting to know other MJ fanatics. Unfortunately, our Mah Jongg Maven is getting ready to move to Singapore - it just will not be the same Barbara! She leaves about the same time my school year starts back so I know that next summer, it will be so different when I, once again, join the ladies for my summer Mah Jongg fix.

Fortunately, a couple of friends that I work with have expressed an interest in learning the game. Mmmm… am I good enough for this? Well, we will attempt to master the game. I found a few great video clips that teach the game. The rules do vary from region to region but the best clip to instruct on our method is this one Board Games With Scott.



Watch, and watch again. Just love this game!