Kapitoil

"Kapitoil" by Teddy Wayne is an unusual novel.  I was drawn to this book because the main character is a programmer, a job I am familiar with having spent most of my career as a programmer myself.  In the first few chapters I felt as if I already knew the protagonist and I could instantly relate to him.  Plus, what programmer hasn't dreamed of writing clever software that makes them rich?  (Those dreams are especially prevalent when doing mind-numbing tasks like changing code for Y2K - just ask Peter Gibbons.)

The protagonist, Karim a programmer from Qatar, has temporarily relocated to New York for his job at a large financial firm.  Karim, like many programmers in 1999, is changing computer programs for Y2K.  While at work, he gets an idea for software that would predict changes in the stock market allowing investors to buy and sell at the ideal times.  He writes a proposal and begins to code and test this new software.  Soon enough, the "higher ups" are interested in his idea and they begin to court him.  Before he knows it, he has been moved out of the cubical ghetto into a private window office.  Soon he is playing squash and going to the World Series with the head of the company.

A mention of this book's use of language is necessary to capture the essence of "Kapitoil".  Karim records his conversations in order to later review to improve his English.  Most of Karim's conversations are worded in a way that someone who's first language isn't English may speak.  Along those same lines, Karim also is extremely logical, which is expressed through his speech.  At times the English-as-a-second-language as well as the logical speaking is both enduring and humorous, other times, not so much.  The logical speaking is particularly distracting.  In fact, Karim often sounded like the character Data on "Star Trek".  By the end of the book, I found his logical way of thinking and speaking simply maddening.  I've known many computer geeks, a number of which who spoke English as a second language, however none of them talked like Karim.  Honestly, I think Wayne overreached in this regard.

In other ways, though, this was a very interesting and satisfying read.  One theme in this novel is the life of a Muslim in New York prior to 9/11.  Had this book been set a few years later, Karim probably would have been treated very differently.

"Kapitoil" eventually prompts readers to evaluate their own thoughts regarding capitalists.  Are the owners of large and successful companies greedy bastards, or are they leaders that push others to live up to their full potential?  I don't think that question has an simple answer, but it got me to thinking.  "Kapitoil" is a thought provoking book.

For different perspective from another blogger, check out the "Kapitoil" review over at The New Dork Review of Books and a interesting podcast interview with the author Teddy Wayne.