Catalogue
 
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Reviews
| By: CHCH 020 | 2025-12-10 20:09:28 | |
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| Our group were divided about this book with some not reading it as it didn't interest them, to some not finishing it to some who thought it well-written and a very good picture of modern day Pakistan. Sami's judgement of the embedded violence sanctioned by the fundamentalist theocracy is bleak and he provides no glimmers of a better future. Against the backdrop of a fraught life in Karachi, it is a good account of the standup comic's fear of being rejected and booed off stage, then the relief when there is acceptance and applause. | ||
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| By: CHCH 449 | 2019-12-04 14:29:44 | |
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| Only 3 out of our 8 members read past the first couple of chapters, and those 3 skim-read or skipped large chunks. The other 5 of us couldn't get past the bad language or the style of writing. The members of our group that did read some/most of the book said it did raise some interesting points regarding racism and the author was to be admired for his achievements in standing against cultural issues. Our main comment/criticism is that the catalogue does not mention that the book contains bad language... this and "contains violence" in the catalogue would certainly help in selection of books. | ||
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| By: UPHU 002 | 2019-03-15 12:44:56 | |
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| We enjoyed reading this book, and felt more informed about the current generation in Pakistan. Rather crude language at times, but lots of humour. Very good book notes. | ||
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| By: UPHU 003 | 2019-03-15 12:43:35 | |
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| Hard to get a feel for whether the group really enjoyed this book. I thought it was great: learned a lot about Pakistan, and it was very funny and touching as well. An easy read but fascinating. | ||
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| By: NAP 024 | 2019-03-15 12:41:07 | |
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| All enjoyed this book. So many fascinating parts to it; life in Karachi, the different religions, the importance of becoming educated and all the funny parts as well. | ||
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| By: PALMN 016 | 2018-07-20 12:06:55 | |
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| We thought Sami was very brave, and well read. We enjoyed his sense of humour and the way he used it to convey challenges.It's interesting to see the world through another's eyes without constant media hype. Very insightful into life in Pakistan during his childhood. | ||
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| By: HAMIL 026 | 2018-07-20 12:03:21 | |
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| Some lively discussion had about the conditions in Pakistan, particularly the dreadful bombings we hadn't realised were so frequent. The humour and bad language weren't to our taste. | ||
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| By: LOWER 002 | 2018-07-20 12:00:21 | |
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| The group was split between "likes" and "dislikes". Some enjoyed the insights into Pakistan and Karachi in particular, and the author's explanation of the varieties of Muslim adherence ( the idea of "cultural Muslim" as opposed to "religious/faithful Muslim"). Others found the book fragmented and lacking in coherence. | ||
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| By: WAIPUK 001 | 2018-07-20 11:56:34 | |
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| An important view from an 'insider' in Pakistan. However the writing - swearing and colloquial style - didn't engage the group. Many said they couldn't get into it. | ||
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| By: AUCK 107 | 2018-07-20 11:53:53 | |
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| Unusually for this group, everybody finished the book and enjoyed reading it. An excellent holiday read. Informative, enlightening and occasionally confronting. We want to know more about Sami Shah ( why hasn't he toured in the NZ Comedy Festival yet) and especially we'd like to meet his wife Ishma. She sounds awesome! | ||
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