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A review by booksamongstfriends
The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid
4.0
Mohsin Hamid's The Last White Man is a deeply thought-provoking novel that invites readers to reflect on the nature of race and identity. As with any book that provokes discussion, it sometimes touches on topics that not everyone is comfortable addressing. The story is told in a unique style, with long, run-on sentences that seem deliberate, mirroring the blending and shifting of identities that the characters experience.
The protagonist, Anders, wakes up to find his skin has turned dark, a change that soon affects others in society. This transformation challenges the characters' perceptions of themselves and each other, bringing to the forefront the social construct of whiteness. The book subtly yet powerfully conveys that race is a social construct, focusing on the erosion of the concept of whiteness without delving deeply into specific ethnicities or blackness.
One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of loss, grief, and rage as the characters grapple with the disappearance of their whiteness. I didn’t see this as a book an erasure or physical vanishing of white people but rather the loss of their societal privileges and the shattering of their perceived identities. Characters like Oona’s mother and Anders’ father epitomize the struggle to cling to outdated belief systems as their world changes. Oona's mother, in particular, represents the segment of society that fights to maintain the status quo even as it crumbles around them.
The book’s narrative could have benefited from more perspectives from the already “dark” characters, providing a fuller picture of the societal shifts. Despite this, the story effectively illustrates how societal constructs of race can fall apart, leading to new forms of community and understanding. By the novel's end, some characters begin to deconstruct their views, finding joy and forming new bonds, suggesting that life and love can persist and even thrive amidst such profound changes.
Hamid’s novel challenges readers to consider what happens when the constructs of whiteness and race are removed. It suggests that the need to hold onto these constructs is tied to systemic oppression and privilege. The love between Anders and Oona, and the evolving relationship between Anders and his father, showcase the possibility of moving beyond these constructs towards genuine human connection.
IMO The Last White Man is a contemplative and timely novel that uses a speculative premise to explore deep-seated issues of race and identity. It's a short but impactful read that encourages reflection on societal norms and the true nature of identity.
The protagonist, Anders, wakes up to find his skin has turned dark, a change that soon affects others in society. This transformation challenges the characters' perceptions of themselves and each other, bringing to the forefront the social construct of whiteness. The book subtly yet powerfully conveys that race is a social construct, focusing on the erosion of the concept of whiteness without delving deeply into specific ethnicities or blackness.
One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of loss, grief, and rage as the characters grapple with the disappearance of their whiteness. I didn’t see this as a book an erasure or physical vanishing of white people but rather the loss of their societal privileges and the shattering of their perceived identities. Characters like Oona’s mother and Anders’ father epitomize the struggle to cling to outdated belief systems as their world changes. Oona's mother, in particular, represents the segment of society that fights to maintain the status quo even as it crumbles around them.
The book’s narrative could have benefited from more perspectives from the already “dark” characters, providing a fuller picture of the societal shifts. Despite this, the story effectively illustrates how societal constructs of race can fall apart, leading to new forms of community and understanding. By the novel's end, some characters begin to deconstruct their views, finding joy and forming new bonds, suggesting that life and love can persist and even thrive amidst such profound changes.
Hamid’s novel challenges readers to consider what happens when the constructs of whiteness and race are removed. It suggests that the need to hold onto these constructs is tied to systemic oppression and privilege. The love between Anders and Oona, and the evolving relationship between Anders and his father, showcase the possibility of moving beyond these constructs towards genuine human connection.
IMO The Last White Man is a contemplative and timely novel that uses a speculative premise to explore deep-seated issues of race and identity. It's a short but impactful read that encourages reflection on societal norms and the true nature of identity.