Thursday, March 17, 2016

Mini-Review of "The Invisible Hand" - A Play by Ayad Akhtar, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize


I have systematically set out to read everything that Ayad Akhtar has written, and to see all of his played performed on stage.  This play, "The Invisible Hand," continues his exploration of the relation of America to Islam.  In this work, he combines his personal knowledge of Islam, having grown up as a Muslim Pakistani-American, with his understanding of global finance.

The narrative follows the relationship between big money and international terrorism, seen through the eyes of some memorable characters embroiled in a tense hostage situation in Pakistan.  As always, Akhtar's writing is laser-focused and eye-opening.  The arc of this story shines a light onto the question: "Why do the terrorists hate us?"

Enjoy!

Al

No comments: