In the Light of What We Know by Zia Haider Rahman

“In the Light of What We Know” is a novel written by Zia Haider Rahman and published in 2014. The book is a complex and ambitious work that weaves together a range of themes, including identity, race, class, and global politics.

The novel is narrated by a man known only as Zafar, a British-Pakistani investment banker who has fallen on hard times and is trying to make sense of his life. Through a series of conversations with an old friend, a Cambridge-educated mathematician named Piya, Zafar reflects on his experiences as an immigrant in Britain, his disillusionment with the financial industry, and his struggles to come to terms with his past.

The novel is structured as a series of interconnected narratives, each exploring a different aspect of Zafar’s life and the broader themes that shape it. These narratives range from Zafar’s childhood in rural Bangladesh to his experiences as a student at Oxford University, and from his work as an investment banker to his involvement in the war in Afghanistan.

Throughout the novel, Rahman engages with a range of intellectual and philosophical ideas, from game theory and mathematics to postcolonial theory and political philosophy. He also offers a critical perspective on global politics and the legacy of colonialism, exploring the complexities and contradictions of contemporary Western society.

Overall, “In the Light of What We Know” is a deeply reflective and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on some of the most pressing issues of our time. It has been widely praised for its lyrical prose, its complex characterizations, and its nuanced exploration of identity and culture in a rapidly changing world.