Steven Xue’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update
Steven Xue
is on page 79 of 228
Up to page 79, Changez feels caught between two places. In the U.S, 9/11 made him suddenly visible as a Muslim, slowly lost the confidence he once had. Back in Pakistan, identity feels shared, not questioned. The contrast exposes how fragile belonging can be, especially for Muslims after the 9/11 event. Overall, this moment marks the beginning of his emotional change in the country he once believed he belonged to.
— Jan 22, 2026 04:45PM
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Steven’s Previous Updates
Steven Xue
is on page 105 of 228
Changez finds out the hard way that sometimes, doing everything right still isn't enough. Hamid shows us that even though Changez worked incredibly hard and followed all the rules, bigger world events changed how people saw him. He slowly lost control of his own life. I want to know, given how Changez has been treated in America, whether his meeting with the American in Lahore will end peacefully?
— 3 hours, 19 min ago
Steven Xue
is on page 60 of 228
In the Manila part, things get more intense. Changez is very focused and successful at his job, which makes him proud. But at the same time, his relationship with Erica gets closer. Her deep sadness about her past becomes clearer, which creates a strong emotional tension in the story. I think this mix of his professional rise and her personal sadness is setting up something important for later in the book.
— Jan 16, 2026 05:27PM
Steven Xue
is on page 41 of 228
His deepening connection with Erica. He admires her, viewing her as an embodiment of American elegance and success. Unlike Mike trying to get her attention, Changez distinguishes himself, cultivating a sense of pride and belonging. Yet, beneath this, feelings of separation begin to surface, marking the first experiences in his new American identity and indicating the novel's central conflict.
— Jan 15, 2026 05:10PM
Steven Xue
is on page 20 of 228
I had learned more about Changez, who tells us about his elite Princeton education and success in New York. While never erasing his identity as a Pakistani. He uses a very special tone to compare the two different cultures. indicating that Americans focus more on the exterior, while Pakistanis focus more on what it truly serves. I want to know what the Americans’ real purpose is in Lahore, further in the book.
— Jan 14, 2026 04:15PM
