The Submission

I had to read this for a course at my college, but I have to say that I did not like any of the characters, and cannot sympathize with their anguish and bigotry. Maybe it is because I am too young to understand, or I'm from California, but really. In this day and age, almost everything that had happened was such a lifetime ago, and the sentiments back then are now scorned at. Mo was the only character I cared a little about as I understand his reluctance in being the person to represent and fight for his whole race. No one wants to shoulder that responsibility.
Claire, Sean, all of the white people in this book. Bah.

Things I did like about the book: the conceit (a Muslim winning an anonymous design competition for the WTC memorial is met with resistance from the families of the victims as well as others who blame all of Islam for the attacks); the tension between the architect and just about everyone else; the portrayal of American bigotry toward Muslims. Things I did not like: the multiple points of view muddle the story; a few of the characters feel flat (the reporter, the brother of the dead fireman, the female leader of the bigots); the ending (an epilogue of sorts) feels tacked on, as if an editor had told the author that more resolution was needed.

3.5 stars.

This book made me angry. So angry.

It's so realistic, and the thought processes that develop are ones that happen every day in the U.S. Rationalism overthrown by emotion.

The characters were interesting enough, but I didn't give it more stars, because when I finished it, I didn't enjoy it.