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andrew_j_r's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing I have to say is that the title literally has nothing to do with the book. In fact the title is the main reason that I have only just read it - it sounds like a dodgy fish out of water story about immigrants who are trying to fit in. And it isn't about that in the slightest.
Instead, it is the story of the early life of Shappi Khorsandi, Iranian comedian, telling of her family leaving Iran and eventually of her father's life being threatened by the Ayatollah Khomeini, and the impact it had on her early life and that of her family.
It's an enchanting read, it's very well told, in fact the only complaint I have is that it is not longer. The book jumps from the mid eighties (when Khorsandi would have not quite been a teenager) to a brief epilogue set in the modern day, which is a shame as I would happily have read much more.
The book makes it very easy to empathise with the plight of Khorsandi and her family. Every now and then the narrative jumps to Iran to tell you about what is happening to members of her family that remain there, and they are more often than not heartbreaking. There is a sense that the author feels guilty that she escaped these horrors, but to some degree elements of them are transposed to her real life, especially when they have to go into hiding because Scotland Yard have identified a very real threat to her outspoken father. But even in these segments, the humour of her father shines through (they are supposed to be hiding where nobody knows where they are, yet half of their friends turn up for a barbeque, much to the chagrin of the police officers who end up joining them!)
So in short I loved it, and I hope that Shappi follows it with a volume that tells more about her teen years. If it has half the likeability, pathos and humour as this book it will be a cracking read.
Instead, it is the story of the early life of Shappi Khorsandi, Iranian comedian, telling of her family leaving Iran and eventually of her father's life being threatened by the Ayatollah Khomeini, and the impact it had on her early life and that of her family.
It's an enchanting read, it's very well told, in fact the only complaint I have is that it is not longer. The book jumps from the mid eighties (when Khorsandi would have not quite been a teenager) to a brief epilogue set in the modern day, which is a shame as I would happily have read much more.
The book makes it very easy to empathise with the plight of Khorsandi and her family. Every now and then the narrative jumps to Iran to tell you about what is happening to members of her family that remain there, and they are more often than not heartbreaking. There is a sense that the author feels guilty that she escaped these horrors, but to some degree elements of them are transposed to her real life, especially when they have to go into hiding because Scotland Yard have identified a very real threat to her outspoken father. But even in these segments, the humour of her father shines through (they are supposed to be hiding where nobody knows where they are, yet half of their friends turn up for a barbeque, much to the chagrin of the police officers who end up joining them!)
So in short I loved it, and I hope that Shappi follows it with a volume that tells more about her teen years. If it has half the likeability, pathos and humour as this book it will be a cracking read.
beckboo88's review against another edition
3.0
this book was ok, didnt grip me, found it hard to plow through, it was quite a slow plod of a book. wouldnt bother reading it again
jesspalice's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Very endearing and insightful into Iranian life, culture, and politics.
fixesofia's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
italiananchovy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
friya123's review
4.0
I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. Well written, amusing, very moving and always interesting, I whizzed through it and will definitely recommend it to others.
thehlb's review
4.0
3.5+ stars.
I'm of two minds about this book.
1) Despite being about an Iranian refugee in London it was entirely relateable. She writes so honestly about childhood and her perspective there is perfectly executed. Even writing about her time in Iran with her family almost made me want to go there. Almost. I'd definitely like to learn more about the Iranian revolution and war with Iraq (1980's) since I only have vague memories of the time. I'd also like to try the food.
2) I'm not sure really of the point. While it is a great memoir of childhood, it just kind of stops at the end. It doesn't have a lot of direction and sometimes one might wonder what the point of a certain anecdote was. I guess that is often what memoirs are like really (life too, I suppose), and real life is SO much more interesting than fiction anyway.
All in all though, a really good memoir and I'd recommend for sure, if you can get a copy in Kansas. I had to get it on interlibrary loan. This was my third time doing so, and each previous time I ran out of time to read it. I almost gave up on it, but so glad I stuck it out.
I'm of two minds about this book.
1) Despite being about an Iranian refugee in London it was entirely relateable. She writes so honestly about childhood and her perspective there is perfectly executed. Even writing about her time in Iran with her family almost made me want to go there. Almost. I'd definitely like to learn more about the Iranian revolution and war with Iraq (1980's) since I only have vague memories of the time. I'd also like to try the food.
2) I'm not sure really of the point. While it is a great memoir of childhood, it just kind of stops at the end. It doesn't have a lot of direction and sometimes one might wonder what the point of a certain anecdote was. I guess that is often what memoirs are like really (life too, I suppose), and real life is SO much more interesting than fiction anyway.
All in all though, a really good memoir and I'd recommend for sure, if you can get a copy in Kansas. I had to get it on interlibrary loan. This was my third time doing so, and each previous time I ran out of time to read it. I almost gave up on it, but so glad I stuck it out.