The thought of a John Updike novel pondering America's post-9/11 angst may lead to a belief that the world is beginning to see the 9/11 literary canon so many people seem to desire. While post-9/11 America sets the stage for Updike's 22nd novel, Terrorist, let's hope it is a step along the way to that canon and not a cornerstone.
Terrorist is the story of Ahmad Ashmawy Mulloy, an 18-year-old graduating senior from a decaying high school in the decaying factory town of New Prospect, N.J. Although born and raised in the U.S., Ahmad is far different to his classmates. Ahmad is the son of a woman of Irish-American heritage (hence Mulloy) and an Egyptian father (hence Ashmawy) who abandoned the family when Ahmad was three.
Beginning at age 11, Ahmad began studying Islam on his own initiative, taking twice weekly lessons from a local imam. He is now a devout Muslim, trying to stay on "the Straight Path." He wears black stovepipe jeans and laundered white shirts to school every day. Although he runs track, he has no friends, disdains the normal accoutrements of teenage life and is both intrigued and repulsed by his sexy black classmate, Joryleen Grant. Generally, Ahmad views non-Muslim Americans as little more than amoral and reprehensible "devils" who "seek to take away my God."
Ahmad is enthralled by Islam and the study of the Koran in Arabic. Although intelligent and talented, at his imam's suggestion Ahmad opts for the vocational track in high school, with the goal of becoming a truck driver. College would expose him to "corrupting influences — bad philosophy and bad literature."
In steps Jack Levy, a 63-year-old depressive guidance counselor at Ahmad's high school who also happens to be a nonpracticing Jew. Levy sees potential in Ahmad and breaks out of his generally stuporous approach to his job and life to nudge Ahmad toward college. Levy has an affair with Ahmad's mother, Teresa, who fancies herself a painter but supports herself and Ahmad by working as a nurse's aide.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
2 - -E
Congrats! This article has been selected as one of this week’s Editors’ Picks.
3 - Amilina
About the book "Terrorist" by John Updike:
We've read the book in our class and it was the stupiest book I've had ever read. This book stole my whole happiness and if I mustn't read the book to the end, I would have stopped after the first page. It was so horrible. Maybe your other books are better than that, and I really hope so. Don't ever let me read this book again. Please!
Thanks for listening.
Greetings
Amilina *kiss*
4 - Filipe
Dear Mr. Updike,
We read your book in our English lesson. At first, our teacher forced us to read it, but every one of us learned to love it. It was not easy to understand, because the inner monolog is very complex. My class and me are no native speakers, so we learned a lot of vocabulary.
We strongly recommend your book for every student, who tries to learn something about the possible action in Islamic circles.
Your Filipe
5 - J&N
Hello, we have read the book "Terrorist" written by John Updike.Now we want to tell you our impressions about the story.
We cannot recommend the book, because it`s boring and it`s difficult to understand it for german people because there are a lot of religious words which are difficult to understand.
In our opinion the book is not good!!!
Nice Greets
byebyeee Nadine&Julia
6 - Amad Khairzada
Hi my fellow "terrorist"- readers,
I just finished the novel, and i must admit that it is highly recommendable for everyone, although it is NOT representitive for any muslim community, neither in the US nor in Europe.
I consider it as very important to become more aware for issues going on in our western- society, but we also must be aware of the fact, that among a billion peace- loving muslims there might be only one black sheep, a potential "terrorist".
Once again, my congratulations to mr Updike for this brilliant work.
best wishes from my wonderful adopted country,
Germany