This is a really interesting novel in many respects, although I like the core narratives of the Iraqi refugee Laila and Lisa, Jaz, and Raj's story the best. The other pieces going back in time to that same southwest desert location felt like distractions. It felt like Kunzru was just trying to be clever. I would have liked these two sections (especially the one with Laila, which is a bit underdeveloped) to be given more attention at the expense of those other parts of the story.