Terrorist - bookrastinating.com

Paperback, 320 pages

English language

Published May 29, 2007 by Ballantine Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-345-49391-0

(1 review)

John Updike has written a brilliant novel that ranks among the most provocative of his distinguished career. Terrorist is the story of Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy, an alienated American-born teenager who spurns the materialistic, hedonistic life he witnesses in the slumping New Jersey factory town he calls home. Turning to the words of the Holy Qur'an as expounded to him by the pedantic imam of a local mosque, Ahmad devotes himself fervently to God. Neither the world-weary guidance counselor at his high school nor Ahmad's mischievously seductive classmate Joryleen succeeds in deflecting him from his course, as the threads of an insidious plot gather around him."One compelling and surprising ride."--USA Today"The startlingly contemporary story of a high school student . . . whose zealous Islamic faith and disaffection with modern life make him a pawn in the larger conflict between Muslim and Christian, East and West. They also make him a …

John Updike has written a brilliant novel that ranks among the most provocative of his distinguished career. Terrorist is the story of Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy, an alienated American-born teenager who spurns the materialistic, hedonistic life he witnesses in the slumping New Jersey factory town he calls home. Turning to the words of the Holy Qur'an as expounded to him by the pedantic imam of a local mosque, Ahmad devotes himself fervently to God. Neither the world-weary guidance counselor at his high school nor Ahmad's mischievously seductive classmate Joryleen succeeds in deflecting him from his course, as the threads of an insidious plot gather around him."One compelling and surprising ride."--USA Today"The startlingly contemporary story of a high school student . . . whose zealous Islamic faith and disaffection with modern life make him a pawn in the larger conflict between Muslim and Christian, East and West. They also make him a powerful voice for Updike's ongoing critique of American civilization."--Time"A chilling tale that is perhaps the most essential novel to emerge from Sept. 11."--People (Critic's Choice)From the Trade Paperback edition.

5 editions

Joel A reviewed Terrorist by John Updike

Review of 'Terrorist' on 'LibraryThing'

4 stars

Ah, to get a book out of the library on the first day it hits the shelf - such joy. But as to the specifics of the book, it's an interesting attempt to get in the mind of a young, serious Muslim-American. As with all Updike, you sometimes get the sense that SERIOUS STATEMENTS ABOUT AMERICA ARE BEING MADE. But, especially as the book progresses, character and plot flow more naturally. It's even suspenseful at the end.

Subjects

Literary
Fiction / Literary
Updike, John - Prose & Criticism
Fiction
Fiction - General