Writing style of Mohsin Ahmed in reluctant fundamentalist

There are two points of view used throughout the novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The two view points are skillfully toggled back and forth to present different perspectives and even moods while reading. The majority of the narration is from the first person point of view while there are small sections interspersed throughout that are written in the second person point of view.

The author has the narrator use a first person point of view as he tells the story of his life in America. This is all presented in the past tense. Having Changez personally tell his story makes it fully reliable. Not only are the actions and words to be believed, but Changez is able to share his emotions and thoughts. This is very important because the story needs to be reliable in order to understand the changes which take place in Changez's thinking and feelings as the novel progresses. The reader can experience firsthand Changez's joy at landing an excellent job, his concern for Erica and heartache at losing her, and his anger and hatred for those who are prejudiced against him.

The main narrative is interspersed with narration of present day interactions told from a second person point of view. The same narrator still speaks, but is addressing the American as "you," putting the reader into the position of the American stranger. This technique allows the reader to sit in the American's place as he is addressed and experience Changez. As the tension is increased between the two men and motives are revealed, the tension transfers easily to the reader, thus creating a deeper sense of suspense and danger. It is easy to feel the unease of the American and the fear at what may happen next from this vantage point.

The switching between points of view allows for the ebb and flow of emotions and the creation of suspense. When listening to Changez's story in the past, the mood is relaxed; it is simply the story of a man's life with the typical ups and downs one expects. But the present day interactions between the American and Changez are tension-filled and are designed to create anxiety within the reader. This tension is turned up with each interaction of the two men until the climax is reached and the final confrontation hits.