Rating: 
Summary: moderately amusing
Review: 'Funny in Farsi' is somewhat funny and has very little Farsi. It's a series of small chapters loosely strung together describing the adventures of the author and her family after they move to America when she is seven. In many ways the descriptions are such that immigrants or children of immigrants will relate to immediately. There are a few interesting characters like Uncle Nematollah that I would have liked to see more of. The author's father appears almost like a caricature, though it is clear that the relationship is very loving. There are also large chunks like the author's trip to Paris, her attempts to earn some cash as a teenager, and her experience of a California earthquake, that have absolutely nothing to do with being Iranian. Dumas has a breezy writing style, and I thought of this book as a perfect 'bathroom book'. Five minute chapters that don't require you to remember what came before. Still, I would recommend this book as a gift to Iranians in America or perhaps for new immigrants who are in turns puzzled and mystified by things American.
Rating: 
Summary: The language of humor
Review: This was one of the funniest books that I've ever read. Not just because there is a lot that I can identify with her, but rather how Firozeh could portray the experience that many American-Iranians have gone through with so much humor. Her humor helped bridge the cultural differences between the Western and Eastern worlds in a sweet and informative way. This book is funny to many people with diverse backgrounds. It's about cultural awareness and how we should focus on how much we have in common and respect each other for the differences.
Rating:
Summary: Warm and Wonderful!
Review: This book is a gem. I enjoyed this memoire from start to finish. What a fun and entertaining voice used by the author as she put down this terrific collection on stories for our enjoyment. I recommend this book for anyone interested in other people & cultures, in loving families, in life - it has great humor & warmth. This book is such a marvelous read I have gifted many copies to my friends and relatives. I look forward to more writings by Firoozeh Dumas.
Rating:
Summary: Funny in any language!
Review: Funny in Farsi is hilarious. The writing flows, the energy is contagious, and the pages turn quickly. Even so, there is nothing superficial about this book. With cunning wit, Firoozeh Dumas spins poignant social commentary about Americans--and to some extent the French--and life in exile. Her observations strike at the heart of the immigrant experience. Portraits of her family are honest, charming and intelligent. Without being mean or rude, she also exposes the sometimes not so beautiful, but not always malignant behavior of those around us. Ms. Dumas' book is a ray of sunshine in the face of adversity. It is a must read for every Iranian. Every non-Iranian should get a huge kick out of it too. In between teary bouts of laughter, the philosopher in everyone may just see an Iranian Sisyphus rolling a rock up to the top of the mountain, then finding it wasn't so futile after all.
Rating: 
Summary: What am I missing that everybody else loved?!
Review: Maybe it's that I haven't completed the book however am half way through...I received this book as a present and was excited to read it having the same background as the author iranian-american and grew up in the states...however so disappointed. I understand that all families are different, however in her humor I feel that she belittles her family (maybe that's why her father doesn't want her using her maiden name!) and also portrays an incomplete description of Iranians that came to the states. While her family may have been, she really gives a fresh off the boat image of iranians that came to the states, when there were also many who came here able to speak english and understand the culture and oddities such as hot dogs. I do agree that her stories are humorous and there is a good bit that foreigners can relate to..however I wish her writing style was more consistent and flowing rather jumping from teens to present to pre-revolution etc, was very inconsistent.
Rating:
Summary: It is literature.
Review: When a memoir takes on a universal appeal, it stays as a classic. This funny and fun book explores a refreshing aspect of the Iranian-American life. I recommend it to all Iranian-Americans and all the Americans that have Iranian friends neighbors, relatives or work associates. It is a must read that can shed some real light while you laugh your head off. This book is artfully crafted. You'll see. Makes a great gift.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh-out-loud funny!
Review: It's a fun and easy book to read...you can easily picture every event in the book. It could be longet though...comparing other aspects...more details...but anyhow it was a great writing and really fun to read.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous in Farsi!
Review: This was truly a wonderful piece of work. As an Iranian-American, I really could relate to her hilarious experiences. But even my boyfriend, who's not Iranian, was laughing out loud as he read this book. It's a treat for anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Real Americans
Review: Another reviewer here referred to this book as "My Big, Fat Iranian Life" and that's not a bad analogy, although I thought it was a lot better than MBFGW. There are a lot of funny parts in the book, as Dumas describes her optimistic family's adjustments from pre-Revolution Iran to Seventies California. Her father hopes to be a game-show contestant, her mother hopes to fit in without learning English, her uncle hopes to lose weight without exercising. Seems like they'll fit right in!But it gets a bit serious, too, when they return to Iran at the wrong time. I enjoyed this book and Dumas' upbeat attitude.
Rating:
Summary: My big fat Iranian life.
Review: This "book" is a middle-of-the-road bore. It was not laugh-out-loud funny as previously suggested by other reviewers and I highly doubt it's even funny in Farsi [not that the author even mentions Farsi - the title is just alliteration used to sell more copies]. I found nothing of culture interest or even of any entertainment. Others loved this book - grand for them. It just goes to show that the average Americans are mindless dolts who laugh at sit-coms, collect Boyds Bears, and adore the books they're told to enjoy. For all the free-thinkers out there - pick up "The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club". It's a much better book because, well, it's a real book - not a snore somehow captured in book form.
| 
