St Andrews student reading The Reluctant fundamentalist

‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ to become required reading

Mohsin Hamid’s novel to be given to all St Andrews undergraduates in an exciting new scheme

2 June 2009

Mohsin Hamid's acclaimed novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist is to be
required summer reading for all new students at one of Britain's leading
universities.

The University of St Andrews is gifting a copy of the 2007 Man Booker Prize-shortlisted work to every one of its 1500 new undergraduates in a new initiative designed to offer students a common topic for discussion and focus energies on reading and intellectual debate.

The scheme was conceived by University Principal Dr Louise Richardson and Jonathan Taylor, chair of the Booker Prize Foundation who are generously supporting the project. Each year a different work from the prize shortlist will be chosen to send to all St Andrews intending undergraduates.

Jonathan Taylor said: "St Andrews is to be congratulated on launching this exciting initiative which is unique amongst universities in the UK."

Mohsin Hamid has agreed to visit St Andrews for two days in October 2009
to give a lecture, read from his works and sign copies of his book.

Visit the University of St Andrews website for full details.