Disappointed in terrorist

The ridiculous stereotypes presented in "Terrorist" disappoints me, to say the least. In class, we discussed the credibility issue with the media and prominent authors - all who are influencing the thoughts of others in one way or another. Like Rushdie, I thought Updike was being ironic in the first part of the novel. Ahmed is a moody teenager, Mr. Levy is a tired guidance counselor and Terr-ible, Terr-ific Terry was an American. All encompassed stereotypes - a terrorist, a Jew, a hippy American, oh and can't forget the eat-your-feelings out American represented by Mrs. Levy. I thought for sure that Updike was trying to be ironic here. All countries and groups of people have their stereotypes, but I thought he was going to break these stereotypes. I imagined Ahmad growing up to be a successful truck driver - no this is not the American Dream, but it is success nonetheless. I imagined Mr. Levy getting caught by his wife, ultimately leading him down a path of reflection and appreciation for Ahmed's ambition. I imagined Terry finding the strength to get rid of Mr. Levy and free herself of the need of male support. All of these characters were a let down. How predictable. The Muslim boy Ahmed (madman as Charlie calls him) is so passionate about Islam, naturally he would be sucked into a terror plot...right. Mr. Levy lays on the Jewish guilt, ultimately persuading him to not blow up the tunnel - letting little freckle faced girl in the Volvo survive. I couldn't put this book down because I thought Updike was going to eventually go against these stereotypes. I was thoroughly disappointed.