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Terrorist # 3
Wow, this has gotten to be very interesting. Updike has shown the struggle Ahmad is going through. Ahmad has landed a job as a truck delivery driver, which he had been training for earlier. Ahmad has been having these conflicting sides of his “councelor” like person, who does not want Ahmad to become a fundamentalist person. But at the same time he is being steered in the other direction to strictly follow Allah, the God, and the Qu’ran by a Lebanese fundamentalist. At the same time, his guidance councelor, (who is trying to get him to apply to college instead of becoming a truck driver) is having an affair with Ahmad’s mother. Later, Ahmad is working at a furniture store. The owner, Charlie, who happens to be Lebenese discusses with Ahmad about future plans, and Ahmad is planning to make the “ultimate sacrifice.” There is a lot going on now, and it is somewhat hard to follow the characters. I think Updike could have narrowed it down a bit more to have a deeply moving affect on Ahmad, and make his role in the upcoming chapter seem heavier. So far, it is good, Updike is very informative and knowledgeable about the mind of a fundamentalist.
Okay, I’m convinced–I’m going to have to read this book soon, like over Christmas vacation (when I’m not building things in Mexico). It sounds like vintage Updike–gripping, highly detailed, and suspenseful.
Posted November 1, 2006, 10:50 pm