Reviews

I wasn't familiar with Ali before picking this up for a reading challenge prompt and I liked it; it does not require prior familiarity with him at all. It is very much a humorous tone, despite having several very dark and depressing moments. He does an excellent job of reading the audiobook though, which I think added to my enjoyment. A solid choice for someone looking for a memoir mixed with humor/commentary.

michelleloretta's review

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5.0

This was really well done! I knew nothing of Ali before reading this (but I imagine I’ve likely read some of his articles). It’s funny in the beginning… but hits a very serious and heart-wrenching bump a third of the way in. And from there, I could see this wasn’t a silly little story. This is a funny, heartbreaking, and eye opening book about what it’s like to be Muslim in America… and also a lovely coming of age story.
PS- as an aside… when he describes his Jesuit allboy California high school (that he attended as an american-born Muslim of Pakistani descent) as this beautiful microcosm of diversity and acceptance, it made me smile because that was my experience at my Catholic all-girl California experience too. I know this is unique to certain communities in CA… but I smiled listening to his similar experience.

samlaffey's review

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challenging funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.75

teacherdude22's review

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He was funny, but the book got bogged down in the details of his childhood. He would throw in what I consider cheap (used) jokes while talking about events.