Ever since I read Hanif Kureishi’s The Buddha of Suburbia, I have always looked forward to his other writings. In the first place, I did not start reading The Buddha of Suburbia because it seemed to have courted a lot of brouhaha talk and controversy. That happened ages ago; however it is timeless in its narration, language, style, and story. It is a brave novel that makes one cringe because it is extremely real and shows the lives of thinking people (and wannabes or whacked-out cases) who feel and experiment with sexuality & perversion in the social context. And most of us would only wish for such temerity in ourselves. Therefore it is worth noting that Kureishi’s writings are unique and tasteful with a dash of real stuff and mettle.
The protagonist of The Buddha of Suburbia introduces himself as, “My name is Karim Amir, and I am an Englishman born and bred, almost.” It is like a slap-in-the-face statement which is a reflection of Karim, a teenager who is of mixed origin (Pakistani and British) growing up in the 1970s England where racism is rampant and the book sets the tone of conservatism in England. He goes on to reiterate all through the novel about his origins and aspirations. In the book, one gets the sense of the suburbs being a ‘leaving place’ and it shows people who are trying to flee the suburbs to move up in the echelons of the social hierarchy.
What makes The Buddha of Suburbia so explicitly uncomfortable is because of people’s aspirations that are usually laughed at and the quirkiness of every aspiration. It is also a revelation of people’s pseudo behavior and attitude and the fear of being staid and being where they have always been. Therefore it could make you cringe while also wanting to embrace and devour more of Kureishi’s literature.
On a lighter note, pop music is a consistent theme in his works. My Beautiful Launderette is a wonderful narrative of Omar (a Pakistani man in London) and his relationship with a British Punk called Johnny. They get together to run a laundromat owned by Omar’s parents. Yet again the play is a discussion on homosexuality, racial prejudice, and British politics.
Kureishi’s The Mother, Venus, Intimacy, My Son the Fanatic, and several other works are examples of blatant incidents that hit hard on the face. Therefore read on!
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