Summary
The novel begins with the narrator and protagonist, Karim Amir, declaring that he is an “Englishman born and bred, almost.” He describes his mundane life in the South London suburbs, where he lives with his father, mother, and younger brother, Allie. Karim’s father, Haroon, is Indian, while his mother is white British. In one of the story’s opening scenes, Haroon reveals that he has been invited to the house of a family friend in order to speak about “Oriental philosophy.” After Karim’s mother refuses to accompany her husband, Haroon extends the invitation to Karim.
Karim sees his father’s invitation as a door to another, more exciting world. He decides to wear an elaborate outfit and convinces Haroon to have a drink at a bar before heading to the Kays’ residence. The bar proves to be an exciting place full of hip students and musicians, and Karim becomes intoxicated quickly. Afterward, when the two arrive at the Kays’ house, Karim realizes that his father might be having an affair with the matriarch, Eva Kay. Eva is described as flirtatious and forward, and she divulges the details of her unhappy marriage to Karim. Eva’s handsome and charismatic son, Charlie, swiftly commands the attention and affection of Karim.
Haroon receives many condescending and racist comments from his white clients. However, Karim watches Haroon with a certain sense of admiration as he gracefully leads the group in a meditation system. Later, Karim’s suspicions surrounding his father’s relationship with Eva are confirmed––he witnesses the two sharing an intimate moment outside. Visibly upset, Karim heads to the attic and finds comfort in the arms of Charlie. In a strange reversal of gaze, Haroon catches Karim being intimate with Charlie. The two return home, and Haroon falls ill due to his drunkenness. Karim feels sorry for his mother, and he finds a drawing in her sketchbook that reveals that she is aware of her husband’s affair. Following the meditation session, Haroon falls silent for a week.
In the second chapter, Karim describes Haroon’s upper-class upbringing in Bombay. In India, Haroon was doted on by servants and was thus “unequipped for practical life” upon his arrival in post-war London. Haroon moved to London with his childhood best friend, Anwar, affectionately referred to as “Baby Face.” Karim explains that Haroon’s mid-life pivot to Buddhism caused fissures in his marital relationship and his friendship with Anwar. After discussing his father’s upbringing, Karim tells the audience that he has accompanied his father on another one of his meditative workshops, this time at the house of Karl and Marianne.
Karim is shocked to see his mother’s sister and her husband––Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted––at Karl and Marianne’s house. He realizes that his aunt and uncle have come to watch Haroon’s session in order to report back to Karim’s mother. He doesn’t interact with his aunt and uncle much, instead passing the evening with a girl named Helen. It becomes clear that Karim is somewhat fond of Helen, and he later goes to visit her at her house. However, while there, he encounters disparaging comments from her racist father. A few days later, he visits Jean and Ted’s house, where they proceed to complain about Haroon’s new professional endeavors and his affair with Eva.
Following their shared evening at Marianne’s, Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted are invited to the Amirs’ house for Sunday roast. While there, Uncle Ted attempts to speak to Haroon and discourages his affair. Haroon, however, does not listen to the feedback and instead chooses to focus on fixing his record player. Later, Karim heads to Anwar’s store. While there, he fondly watches Jamila, Anwar’s daughter and his own friend since childhood, as she works. Karim explains that Jamila is interested in philosophy, French culture, and jazz music. He also explains that although their bond is familial, the two share a sexual relationship.
Karim tells Jamila about his father’s affair. It is during this conversation that he first realizes how much of a toll his family’s troubles have taken on him personally. Karim explains that Jamila, who encounters and feels endangered by neo-fascists in her neighborhood, has been influenced by radical thinkers such as Angela Davis and Che Guevara. Jamila begins training in martial arts and self-defense, and Anwar grows increasingly preoccupied by his daughter’s radicalism. As a response, he decides to arrange a marriage for Jamila with a stranger from Bombay. Jamila refuses, which prompts Anwar to begin starving himself as an act of resistance.
Analysis
From the novel’s opening sentence, it is clear that Karim, the protagonist, is followed by a feeling of “in-betweenness.” Although British culture is the only culture he truly knows, he has issues identifying as an “Englishman” because his father is from India. As the chapters progress, the reader witnesses numerous incidents of Karim being told by others that, because he is not white, he is not British. While Karim’s mixed race affects his interactions with his peers, it also proves to impact his relationship with his parents. As the reader begins to learn more about Karim’s family dynamics, it becomes apparent that he is straddling two disparate cultures within the setting of his own home. It is clear to see the connection between Karim’s lack of belonging and his desire to experience fast-paced London life—he seeks an accepting community to help him find a sense of home.
When Karim accompanies Haroon to his first meditation class, the two experience the privilege of mobility that is afforded to those of a higher social class. Haroon’s wealthy clients are able to fund his meditation and yoga sessions, and they promise future retreats and vacations. This is not the same case for the Amirs’ neighbors living in the South London suburbs. Meanwhile, Karim quickly sees that Haroon’s clientele can introduce him to attractive, dynamic people that have connections in the worlds of art, music, and literature. Both Karim and Haroon seem to enjoy the glitz and glamor of Eva’s house and friends, and they see it as an escape from their usual mundanity.
Upon his arrival at Eva’s house, Karim immediately witnesses his father’s dynamic with the host. Although Karim had long suspected that Haroon was having an affair with Eva, the disturbance of the affair is underscored by Karim walking in on his father in an intimate act. It is no coincidence that, later in the same evening, Haroon walks in on Karim as he is being intimate with Charlie. The father/son gaze—and the reversal of this gaze—can symbolize that Haroon and Karim have entered a new stage in their relationship. Instead of relating just as parent and child, they are now being pushed to see one another as individual people that make choices with consequences.
The motif of extramarital affairs continues with the introduction of characters Auntie Jean and Uncle Ted. Karim explains that while his maternal aunt and uncle may appear to have a happy relationship, Aunt Jean was recently involved with a much younger man of a lower social class. Given this detail, it is ironic that Aunt Jean and Uncle Ted assume a position of moral superiority regarding Haroon’s affair. As Karim narrates past experiences he has shared with Uncle Ted, it becomes clear that his aunt and uncle’s harshness towards Haroon may stem from their internalized prejudice. Although Karim has been uniquely positioned to balance all of these difficult family dynamics, he fails to realize the toll it has taken on him until he has an honest conversation with his childhood best friend, Jamila.
Karim’s ability to confide in Jamila immediately establishes her as an important figure in the novel. Jamila embodies the fervor for change that was so characteristic of various resistance movements of the time. After experiencing racism throughout her life, Jamila commits herself to understanding the connection between racism and capitalism and championing solidarity for the oppressed. Through this character, Kureishi is able to explore the post-colonial discourse that was emerging in 1970s England. Anwar’s disapproval of Jamila’s radicalism manifests in his search for a husband for his daughter. In this way, we see how marriage is designed to enforce a sense of social order. It is interesting to compare Anwar’s faith in marriage with the failing marriages that are present throughout the novel, such as his own marriage to Jeeta, Haroon’s marriage, and Aunt Jean and Uncle Ted’s marriage.
