The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

The novel is a monologue by a young Pakistani man, Changez, who tells his life story to an American stranger in a café in Lahore. Changez recounts his journey from a scholarship student at Princeton to a high-flying job in a prestigious New York valuation firm and his subsequent disillusionment with the American Dream post 9/11. The story explores themes of identity, love, and the shifting global power dynamics, as Changez grapples with his feelings towards America, his native Pakistan, and his love interest, Erica. The narrative ends ambiguously, leaving the reader to interpret the true nature of Changez and his American listener's relationship.

The 4797th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 180

Since this book was first published in 2007, there is a penalty of 52.8%. The age adjusted score is 84.96.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.