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Kathy's Reviews > The Submission
The Submission
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This novel came in for me during the weekend of 9/11. Being the 10th anniversary of the attack, I looked forward to reading it over the weekend. I was very disappointed.
It begins two years after the September 11th attacks, and a jury has been assembled to select a WTC memorial from thousands of submissions that are anonymous. After much discussion, “The Garden” is selected. When the sealed envelope is opened the architect is revealed, a Muslim named Mohammad Khan. “Mo” as his friends call him is an American, born and raised in Virginia, the son of immigrants from India.
The book contains a cast of characters including family members of 9/11 victims, including a firefighter that died, the widow, Claire Burwell that is on the jury and fights for the selection of “The Garden”, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh who has lost her husband in the attack, assorted politician, artists, activists and one particularly vile journalist.
The author tries to portray the anguish of the survivors along with the ever-increasing paranoia and hatred of all things Muslim. Unfortunately, she falls short in these goals.
The problem is that all of her characters are flat, one-dimensional and underdeveloped. I found myself not caring for any of the characters and could not get inside of their skin to develop any empathy. The only character I found having a strong emotional reaction to was the journalist that worked for one of the NYC tabloids, she was the only one in which I could sense desperation and the corruption of her morals as she did whatever she could to make a name for herself. Other than that, I was frustrated at not being able to be drawn into Claire Burwell’s grief or Mo Khan’s anger or frustration.
This is a hard book to be drawn into and a hard book to finish.
It begins two years after the September 11th attacks, and a jury has been assembled to select a WTC memorial from thousands of submissions that are anonymous. After much discussion, “The Garden” is selected. When the sealed envelope is opened the architect is revealed, a Muslim named Mohammad Khan. “Mo” as his friends call him is an American, born and raised in Virginia, the son of immigrants from India.
The book contains a cast of characters including family members of 9/11 victims, including a firefighter that died, the widow, Claire Burwell that is on the jury and fights for the selection of “The Garden”, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh who has lost her husband in the attack, assorted politician, artists, activists and one particularly vile journalist.
The author tries to portray the anguish of the survivors along with the ever-increasing paranoia and hatred of all things Muslim. Unfortunately, she falls short in these goals.
The problem is that all of her characters are flat, one-dimensional and underdeveloped. I found myself not caring for any of the characters and could not get inside of their skin to develop any empathy. The only character I found having a strong emotional reaction to was the journalist that worked for one of the NYC tabloids, she was the only one in which I could sense desperation and the corruption of her morals as she did whatever she could to make a name for herself. Other than that, I was frustrated at not being able to be drawn into Claire Burwell’s grief or Mo Khan’s anger or frustration.
This is a hard book to be drawn into and a hard book to finish.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
September 5, 2011
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Karen
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Sep 05, 2011 05:16PM
I'll be anxious to hear what you think of that one.
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I will let you know Karen, I am looking forward to it...very apropos as we approach the 10th Anniversary...number 4 now in the queue so I am getting there!
I just read "Called" and watched "United 93." We were at the memorial in early August. I'd really like to find a good documentary for my son.
Be on the lookout this week...it looks like there are a lot of specials planned.
I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly!
I totally agree. I found all of the characters very unlikeable, especially Claire. I did finish the book, just to see what would happen but didn't like it at all
Thank you Roya.
Notty wrote: "I totally agree. I found all of the characters very unlikeable, especially Claire. I did finish the book, just to see what would happen but didn't like it at all"Thank you Notty, it is heartening to hear that others had the same impression I did!
Interesting comments you make about the book. I’ve just read it, & was able to relate to Mo & the range of dramatic scenes in the book. Don’t share your sentiments, for me the book was well written & went into the heart of Muslim- American issues.
