A Most Wanted Man I

The Most Wanted Man is a compelling book by John Le Carré. The first sentence introduces the whole chapter with a mysterious mood. He writes, “A Turkish heavyweight boxing champion sauntering down a Hamburg street with his mother on his arm can scarcely be blamed for failing to notice that he is being shadowed by a skinny boy in a black coat” (1). I found this start interesting because it states what the first chapter is going to be about in one sentence. Also, it reveals something about the main character to the reader. Le Carré continues to have Melik, the main character, to encounter the man three times before they actually talk. The piece of paper says, “I am a Muslim medical student. I am tired and I wish to stay in you house. Issa… When his father died Melik had proudly assumed the role of master of the house and his mother’s protector and, as a further assertion to his authority, done what his father had not succeeded in doing before his death…he had launched himself and his mother on the long, stony road to German citizenship…” (5). Even though Issa didn’t know anything about Melik and his mother, he still asked for help. Melik declined him, which is understandable. This is a time after September 11, and German authorities were looking for terrorists. With association, Melik probably would never become a citizen of Germany. I don’t know why his family left Turkey and came to Germany. It is interesting that Le Carré doesn’t spend the first few pages describing Melik’s family history. We do know some of Issa’s history, since he tells us later in the chapter.

Melik’s mother accepts Issa into their home, even though Melik doesn’t think it’s safe. Understandably, Melik is suspicious of Issa. This suspicion becomes more pronounced when Leyla, Melik’s mother, tells him that Issa has been to jail. Melik asks, “Do you know that for a fact? We’re harboring a jailbird? Do the police know that for a fact? Did he tell you?” (7). Again, Melik sees the danger of associating with Issa. He doesn’t want to be known as a terrorist himself, and he wants to be able to become a German citizen. He’s very suspicious of this unknown man. Even though Melik distrusts Issa, at the end of the chapter, there’s a sense of acceptance. Melik has a change of heart after he sees the torture marks on Issa’s body and is moved to tears. Issa comes down with a fever, and is very sick. Melik tells Leyla to move Issa into his (Melik’s) own bed. He then reflects on the situation. Le Carré writes, “Yet compared with Issa, he was untried. Issa is a man and I am still a boy. I always wanted a brother and here he is delivered to my doorstep, and I reject him. He suffered like a true defender of his beliefs while I courted cheap glory in the boxing ring” (16). Melik starts to realize that Issa is stronger and tougher than he realized. Could Issa have been in jail because he is Chechen? Did he stand up his beliefs? Issa suffers because of his mysterious past but moves towards the future with hope. Melik understands that he can learn something from Issa.