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Summary: I almost pulled an ab
Review: "Funny in Farsi" is a light, short memoir of a young girl and her family's adjustment to life in America. It was, as many others have written, laugh-out-loud funny - so much so that I almost hurt myself - and very touching at times, too. Firoozeh's story will resonate quite stongly with readers, Iranian or otherwise, who have shared some of these experiences, but also maybe with those who haven't.
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Summary: Funny in Farsi
Review: I adored this book! I loved her sense of humor as well as seeing humor in life's lessons. What a wonderful family!
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Summary: Plan to Laugh out loud
Review: BUY this book it will be well worth it. I have never laugh so hard with a book in my entire life. Ms. Dumas account of her marriage to someone with a different cultural and religious background really hit home. I was raised a nice Mexican Catholic girl but ultimately married a nice white Jewish boy. My daughter one day will read this book and understand that there are many people like herself who are born from love and not hatred.
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Summary: The sweetest story I've ever read - you'll love it
Review: I bought the book to try to learn more about the experiences of Iranians in America, and instead found myself seeing my country of origin through new eyes. This is a sweet and heartwarming story first about family, filled with wry observations about America, and precious family anecdotes that transcend culture. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: It is hilarious...
Review: I just finished reading the book. I loved it. Firoozeh pictured Iranian's traditions and culture, perfectly. I enjoyed reading each page of the book.
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Summary: The First Time's the Charm
Review: This memoir is a brilliant display of a natural talent for humor that is very rare, especially in a first-time author. Having enjoyed the works of David Sedaris, I felt like I would never find another book that could live up to his level, but this one was a big, pleasant surprise. Firoozeh Dumas has that miraculous way with words that makes this book so delectable that the reader will want to enjoy it one sentence at a time. Firoozeh writes like a person who is very good at turning personal experiences into hilarious tales, but without David Sedaris' admitted prickliness. Firoozeh is a fascinating blend of Iranian and American cultures, having lived in Iran exclusively up to age 7, then moved back and forth up for some years after that. It became her father Kazem's dream to live in America, which he loved at first sight during a couple of years here working as a petrochemical engineer. By the way, anyone who knows what we engineers are really like will get a big kick out of Kazem. Great Iranian food, rich with fresh ingredients, with novel uses of yogurt, lamb, basmati rice, and exotic spices like saffron, can be a delight when sampled for the first time. So is Firoozeh's memoir. (By the way, one critic's comment on a line something like "the only culture my father cared about was in yogurt" reveals he doesn't know that this line plays on a key ingredient in Iranian cuisine!) In this book there are not only many great laughs taken from the rich life of an extended Iranian family but also some very touching moments. Some of this brought back fond memories of the goofy American culture in the 1970's... The whole family crowds onto the sofa to watch Tony Orlando, Sonny and Cher, and Bob Hope specials. Her sweet, sweet America-adoring father Kazem makes many appearances in this book, and you will not want to miss a word. When he finally makes it to the small-screen big-time on "Bowling for Dollars" it's hilarious and touching at the same time. If this book were made into a movie, and put up against "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in a race for which could be funnier, I'd bet on the Iranians. For a wonderful look at a family's life in America through the eyes of a gifted writer, get "Funny in Farsi".
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Summary: Amusing memoir of Iranian immigrant family in the 1970s
Review: Firoozeh Dumas was born in Abadan, Iran and in 1972 at the age of seven moved with her family to Southern California, a transfer tied to her father's job with the National Iranian Oil Company. In this memoir she recalls with humor the ways in which her extended family adapted, or didn't, to life in the United States, and how their new neighbors reacted to them. On a more serious note, she also recounts how a desire to fit in prompted her to adopt the name "Julie", and how the family struggled financially when the Iranian Revolution (and US hostage crisis) brought an abrupt end to her father's employment, and employability. One company rescinded a job offer because it "does not accept Iranians at this time. We thought you were an Arab." Reflecting on this period, she writes, "The hostages were finally freed. Besides them and their families, no one was happier than the Iranians living in America." Each chapter stands more or less on its own, and most are about growing up in California and Iran, but there is also a chapter about the author's two-month stay in Paris as a teenager. (Her host family abandoned her on the second day, but she survived and years later even married a Frenchman.) The penultimate chapter describes a ten-day visit with her husband to the island of Spanish Wells in the Bahamas, where Mr and Ms Dumas are probably still reviled for making the wrong decision while judging a local beauty pageant. My copy was an "advance uncorrected proof" as opposed to the final published version, and in his letter on the first page the editorial director of the publishing house compared the book to the recent hit movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". I initially suspected that he was being a bit opportunistic, but as it turns out I have to agree, as both feature endearingly hilarious father figures who just about steal the show. All in all, "Funny in Farsi" is a light and highly entertaining book. Recommended, as long are you aren't looking for something too deep.
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Summary: Delightful Family Memoir-- Read This!
Review: Firoozeh Dumas (occasionally known as Julie-- read the book to find out why) has written a delightful memoir of her family's transition from Iran to California. I laughed out loud reading it and marveled at how much Firoozeh's family reminded me of my own (non-Iranian) relatives. This book reminds us that all people are bound by humanity and humor-- a heartening message in today's world. The hero of the piece is Kazem, Firoozeh's dad, an engineer by trade and a do-it-yourself handyman and bargain hunter by avocation. Firoozeh's mom, Nazireh, tries gamely to master English, but continues to find American diction tongue-tying. Happily, her mouth-watering meals taste good in any language. Both Kazem and Nazireh have hearts as big as the sun. You'll enjoy meeting them in this light-hearted family saga. Be aware, as well, that Kazem actively monitors this book's Amazaon rankings. Buy a copy and give him even more to cheer about!
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Summary: Great Book!
Review: The contents of this book are precise, and all of us who left iran at such a vulnerable time (pre teens), can relate to this book. Its wonderful that Firoozeh Dumas has such a wonderful sense of humor. I laughed through the whole book, sometimes so hard I started crying. I have passed this book around to everyone in my family. I have to disagree with the reader who called this "bathroom reading". It certainly is not bathroom reading when you come from the same time and place and can feel all of the raw emotions that Mrs. Dumas expresses in this book. Its great that she can make us laugh at the hard times that we all have in common with her. I truly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!! PS: Long live Abadan and the oil refinery!!!! Great Job to you Ms. Firoozeh!!
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Summary: smiling
Review: I loved this book and I'm happy her family came to America so she could share her story. I love her humor. Keep up the good work.
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