Zach Mandigo’s Reviews > The Reluctant Fundamentalist > Status Update
Zach Mandigo
is on page 93 of 228
It's interesting to me how Erica is still stuck thinking about Chris throughout the book so far, which keeps her distant from Changez. Changez really cares about Erica, but she cannot return his feelings. I think Hamid includes Erica to symbolize America, someone/thing Changez cares about but who cannot fully accept him, especially after 9/11, showing his sense of rejection, not belonging, and being out of place.
— 19 hours, 52 min ago
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Zach Mandigo
is on page 61 of 228
I was very interested in the interview with Jim on pages 6–15. His questions surprised me because they felt very personal for a job interview. I think Jim asked them on purpose to see if Changez could get past his emotions. Jim will likely keep teaching Changez this lesson, and Changez will need it later in the book when a problem arises to control his feelings.
— Jan 18, 2026 04:32PM
Zach Mandigo
is on page 53 of 228
I think the author was very strategic when naming characters in The Reluctant Fundamentalist. A prime example of this is with Erica. Erica’s name sounds a lot like “America,” and the author did this purposefully as she almost represents and acts like the country. She seems kind and exciting to Changez at first, but she is emotionally distant, showing that America welcomes him but does not fully accept him.
— Jan 17, 2026 11:22PM
Zach Mandigo
is on page 22 of 228
I noticed how the author Mohsin Hamid stresses competition in the United States. Page 4 shows this when Changez describes Princeton “lifting her skirt” for recruiters. This image suggests that these universities sell themselves to win elite jobs for students. Hamid is criticizing the system here in the U.S. that values status and profit over learning and development.
— Jan 15, 2026 06:01PM
