31 pages • 1 hour read
79
Play • Fiction
New York City • 2010s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar explores the intersecting lives of Amir, a successful lawyer who has rejected his Muslim upbringing, and his White artist wife, Emily, who incorporates Islamic influences in her work. Over a dinner with friends, tensions arise around identity, religion, and personal ambitions, leading to revelations and conflicts that challenge their relationships and self-perceptions.
Dark
Unnerving
Emotional
Challenging
4,540 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced receives acclaim for its gripping exploration of cultural identity, religion, and societal tensions, with sharp, provocative dialogue. Critics praise its emotional intensity and thoughtful character development. However, some find its confrontations exaggerated and its resolution abrupt, potentially simplifying complex issues. Overall, it's a compelling, if polarizing, dramatization of contemporary conflicts.
Readers who appreciate intense social dramas like A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry or The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid will find Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar compelling. They will enjoy its exploration of identity, cultural tension, and the personal costs of ambition and social expectations.
4,540 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
79
Play • Fiction
New York City • 2010s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.