Hilarious, memorable, disappointing.

I came across this book completely by chance on a bookshelf in the university library. The garish stencilled pink 'TERRORIST' on the spine immediately caught my attention. The irony is that I found it while searching for another book in the same section. Not only did I fail to locate that other book, but I have completely forgotten its title.

I have read numerous books that are far superior to this one, and yet I have largely forgotten their contents. There is nothing believable about this book. Despite the title, Ashmawy-Molloy never came close to being a terrorist.

Updike shows an almost deranged naivete about young people and about any racial or ethnic groups to which he does not belong. The vast majority of the book's characters are from such groups. Every single character acts exactly like the most cartoonish racialized stereotype one can imagine, and yet they also seem very sad about it. It's as if an invisible hand is forcing them to act only as the most virulent racist would expect. When it comes to addressing racism, this book is on the same level as 2004's 'Crash'.

“The Terrorist” - A Thought-Provoking Piece

In recent days, I have been wondering whether Nha Nam's publication of John Updike's weighty work at this time is accidental or intentional. “The Terrorist” was first published in 2005, when the wound of 9/11 in the heart of the United States had not yet healed. Twelve years later, the story of “The Terrorist” is still more relevant than ever, as terrorist attacks related to Islam continue to occur continuously in Europe.

The reader is led into the work with the question: “Is a terrorist a monster, a madman? Can an ordinary person like us understand and empathize with a terrorist? ”

But when we start following the journey of 18-year-old American Muslim youth Ahmad Mulloy, we will have many other questions.

What will a Muslim believer think when given the task of “dying for the faith”? How will a “holy warrior” feel on the morning before starting the task of blowing himself up?

Another question - what will make a high school student who is calculating, always comes to school with black pants and a neatly ironed white shirt, become the main character of a suicide bombing plot to punish the United States?

The answer lies throughout the length of the novel and through Ahmad's dialogues with those around him: his single mother, “career” counselor Jack Levy, his Quran teacher Shaikh Rashid, or Joryleen - his colored classmate whom he likes but dare not approach because of his faith.

The answer also comes from Ahmad's inner world, which author John Updike has opened up both his mind and his deepest corners.

The young man who worships the religion has never hidden his respect for the Holy Allah and His messenger, the Prophet Muhammad.

After graduating from high school, Ahmad chooses to learn to drive a truck and becomes a delivery man, according to the arrangement of his Quran teacher.

The reader can easily guess what is behind this arrangement and vaguely guess something when hearing Ahmad say to Joryleen:

“My teacher at the mosque says that all infidels are our enemies. The Prophet said that in the end all infidels must be destroyed. ” What will a young man “filled with the hope of seeing God” do when given a truck loaded with explosives?

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Updike is renowned for his brilliant prose. In this particular work, he bravely delves into a subject that is far removed from his typical comfort zone. However, the outcome is somewhat wooden. Ahmad, an Egyptian-American teen, is a devout Muslim. He is being groomed by the local New Jersey imam and a colleague in the furniture business to become a suicide bomber for holy jihad. The one complication is Jack Levy, Ahmad's career guidance counselor. Levy wonders why, given Ahmad's academic ability, he would be content with a career driving trucks. Jack Levy, a lapsed Jew with a rather large wife, is the only truly convincing character in the novel. Those who are anticipating a thrilling read in the style of Andy McNab or Frederick Forsyth will likely be disappointed. The story lacks the intensity and excitement that one would expect from a thriller of this nature.

I embarked on reading this, my very first and likely to be the only, John Updike book. I had heard so much about him that I felt compelled to give his work a try. However, as I delved into it, I often found myself thinking that it had been a grave mistake to even begin. I felt as if I was squandering my precious time and seriously considered abandoning the book altogether.

The sole factor that managed to keep me turning the pages was my intense curiosity to know more about Ahmad. I was constantly ruminating on his extremist views and attempting to fathom what could potentially cause him to have a change of heart. Yet, I couldn't help but notice the author's rather excessive sexual preoccupation. It seemed as if it was used as a sort of filter through which the entire world was being perceived. To me, this felt incredibly unrealistic and extremely off-putting. In my opinion, the book would have been significantly better had this aspect been toned down or even completely omitted.

A book that I recommend to everyone because given the period we are living in Italy, reading proves to be an excellent opportunity to reflect on the damages caused by segregation and social exclusion.

This book offers a deep and thought-provoking exploration of these important issues. It delves into the various aspects of segregation, such as racial, economic, and social, and shows how they can have a profound impact on individuals and society as a whole.

By reading this book, we can gain a better understanding of the consequences of exclusion and the importance of promoting inclusivity and equality. It can also inspire us to take action and make a positive change in our own communities.

Whether you are interested in sociology, politics, or simply want to expand your knowledge and perspective, this book is definitely worth a read.

Terrorist was my first attempt at reading Updike.

I was really excited to embark on this reading journey as he is frequently mentioned in the same breath as other writers whom I highly respect and thoroughly enjoy reading.

The real shame of it all is that this particular reading experience was so abysmally bad that I might never have the inclination to go back and read the so-called classics that are agreed upon.

This book is truly dreadful. I managed to get only slightly more than halfway through before I had to abandon it - something I almost never do. The characters are drawn from tired and hackneyed stereotypes, and the plotting is completely ludicrous.

If this book were proposed as a Movie Of The Week, it would have been summarily rejected for being far too unbelievable.

It's a real disappointment, especially considering the high expectations I had going in. I had hoped to discover a new literary gem, but instead, I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling that I had wasted my time.

Perhaps I'll give Updike another chance with a different book, but for now, I'm left with a rather sour taste in my mouth.

Okay, I didn't precisely complete this one, yet I'm done with it. I managed to reach 105 pages. Do you desire to know what took place in those 105 pages? Well, Ahmad met with his guidance counselor. Then he went to church. After that, he attended a lesson with his Qur'an teacher. That's all there is to it. I was so extremely bored with this that I couldn't even compel myself to be concerned about the blatant anti-Americanism and misogynism. The red light began flashing when I encountered the 18-page description of a church mass (or whatever it's termed when it's not a Catholic church). By the time I reached the 11 pages describing his Qur'an lesson, I was more than ready to be done. I truly need some sort of plot to engage my interest and keep me hooked. Without a proper storyline, this just seems like a tiresome and uneventful read.

The term 'radicalization' is frequently employed in the media. However, John Updike delves beneath this term and reveals the intricate process to us.

Eighteen-year-old Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy serves as an example of not only the process but also the steps typically taken by those who become radicalized.

Updike's work is both insightful and highly relevant. It is a book that will prompt you to contemplate terrorism from a distinct perspective.

By exploring the story of Ahmad, we gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to radicalization and the consequences that follow.

This book challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to look beyond the surface level when it comes to understanding the complex issue of terrorism.

It is a thought-provoking read that encourages us to engage in a more nuanced and informed discussion about this pressing global concern.

Whether you are interested in sociology, psychology, or current affairs, this book offers valuable insights that are sure to expand your knowledge and perspective.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the phenomenon of radicalization and its implications for our society.

I read the novel translated into Arabic by the translation center and I think they added a lot in terms of style and rhetoric.

The novel deals with what goes on in the mind of the young Egyptian-American protagonist who decides to surrender out of sheer will after leaving his father. There are some points that hint at a misinterpretation of the Quran, Arab culture, and Islam in general, and I see an inclination towards Israeli claims that resistance is terrorism, although the author refers to the repeated Israeli atrocities with shame.

And although the author may seem familiar with the Quran in terms of citing some verses, he interprets the verses according to his own view or perhaps he intended to show the extent of the misinterpretation of the jihad verses in the Quran, but I don't find in the novel anything that serves that point. Also, I see that the ending is weak and does not match the events that the author built up earlier!

Overall, while the novel may have some interesting aspects, it also has several flaws that prevent it from being a truly great work.

A possible story that takes place in New Jersey a few years after September 11th.

Through the pages of the book, the author provides very detailed descriptions of the characters. The central hero, who could be any Arab-American, is led by the circumstances of his life in search of a father figure. The imam who takes on the role, as well as the rather simple and indifferent presence of his mother, shape a character who tries to stay away from the daily habits of his peers.

Just before his graduation from high school, the rather atheist Jewish school counselor enters his life. A dichotomy is formed between fanaticism and resignation or disappointment, which we see successfully throughout much of the book.

Parallelly, secondary characters - caricatures that seem to want to show the qualitative degradation of daily life - appear. The actions of these characters seemed to me to have points that are used very cleverly but also points that perhaps create a utopia. The ending is more or less expected as a result, but Abtahi handles it quite well to keep the interest high.

A suspenseful crime/thriller unfolds as a cop faces a time bomb ticking, the planning of a terrorist attack lurking in the shadows.

I am thoroughly captivated by Updike's descriptive and detailed writing in "Terrorist". The story builds a great suspense that holds my intrigue throughout. It is filled with vivid and colorful imagery that brings the scenes to life. The character development is also good, making the characters feel real and relatable.

Updike's text has the power to ignite deep feelings and emotions, evoking a sense of euphoria and nostalgia. He transports the reader into his fictional world with such diligence, especially when taking us to the public school facade of inner city youth. We find ourselves cringing with our own demons of indifference and lost time, while also empathizing with the antagonist and fearing the plight of his potential acts against the good people of N.Y.

Overall, I found this book delightfully entertaining, a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.