31 pages • 1 hour read
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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
Emily
Amir's wife, an artist intrigued by Islamic art and culture, who navigates her own privilege and complex relationships throughout the story.
Abe Jensen
Amir's nephew who initially admires his uncle’s American Dream but grapples with his own cultural identity, starting with a name change from Hussein to Abe.
Isaac
A Jewish curator at a prominent New York museum, who interacts with Amir and Emily, revealed to hold deeper biases amidst his cultural and professional engagements.
Jory
An African American attorney working at the same firm as Amir, who is pragmatic and successful, navigating professional challenges without succumbing to racialized tensions.
79
Play • Fiction
New York City • 2010s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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