Laughing Without An Accent by Firoozeh Dumas
Release date: 226 / 2008 pages
Synopsis (from front cover): Mining her rich Persian heritage with dry wit and a bold spirit, Firoozeh Dumas put her own unique mark on the themes of family community, and tradition.
First line: “Iran does not currently adhere to international copyright laws..”
Review: A few weeks ago I reviewed Funny in Farsi and was a little disappointed. Since I knew how popular Dumas memoir was – and since it had been out for a few years – I was honestly surprised when the author found my review and left a comment. She suggested that I may have misunderstood her tone and intent and offered to send me her latest work. I have received feedback from other authors when I’ve written critical reviews, but never had an author offered to send me a copy of another work! So, when Dumas offered to send me Laughing Without an Accent, I decided to give it a try and my book club agreed to join me.
I enjoyed Dumas’s second memoir more than her first. I particularly enjoyed the early stories of her childhood in Iran and her stories about her family. As I mentioned in my previous review, one of my friends also immigrated from Iran as a child and this friendship has fostered a personal interest in Iran – I have enjoyed reading about this complex country for years.
Dumas’s ability to recreate her impressions as a child and look back on these impressions with the good humor and wisdom of an adult is a delight to read. In addition, I had grown fond of her parents in Funny in Farsi so I enjoyed reading even more of their adventures – and misadventures! Other sections that I particularly enjoyed included the first one on translating Funny in Farsi and various adventures she survived with her children. The other members of my book club had vivid memories of the hostage Dumas meets at the end and discussed that section in length.
Two of my original “complaints” were still present in Accent – my first criticism was that the organization still felt “scattershot” and my book club buddies agreed with me. We would have preferred either a more chronological narrative — or some sort of progression linking the vignettes. However, I read Accent in two sittings, so I had to “readjust” when the time-line jumped around, while many readers might not even notice this. I imagine most readers would read one story at a time, so the organization would not affect their enjoyment.
My second reservation was not shared by the rest of my book club. I was still taken aback by comments like This may be the only country where people make fun of the smart kids and other generalizations. However, my friends noted that Dumas is coming from a country that may be culturally more cohesive (due to its geographical size) where generalizations may be easier to validate. I have the unique perspective of having spent time in all 50 states, as well as many countries around the world; geographically this country is so vast and diverse – as Dumas found on her visit to Iowa and saw how different it was from California – so while we all find comfort in trying to pigeon-hole groups of people joined by geography, an attempt at truth or wisdom in this way usually rings false to me. On the other hand, one of my friends had similiar experiences in college as Dumas and did feel a ring of truth in many of her observations.
And, more importantly, my friend reminded me that generalizations can be funny – and Dumas’s intent is less to educate her readers and more to entertain them. My friends mentioned that the vignettes reminded them of Erma Bombeck’s columns and we all enjoyed remembering some of Dumas’s observations. My one friend loved that she referred to her husband as The Frenchman and comments like At the time, my father drove a Buick LeSabre, a fancy French word meaning ‘OPEC thanks you.’ had me laughing out loud on my flight.
So, if you enjoyed Dumas’s first memoir, I think you will also enjoy her second. And, if you have not yet read Funny in Farsi, you may enjoy this one even more.
If you are interested in winning a copy, please drop me a comment!
Sounds like a good book
I have Funny in Farsi sitting here on the unread shelves for literally years. Maybe I should dust it off and read it to see how I feel about it. It sounds like the second book was a better experience for you though.
I’d love the chance to read this book. It sounds unique.
I have Funny in Farsi as an audiobook, and while I enjoyed most of the book, I agree that it was too scattered and would have preferred a more cohesive timeline. I would love to read Laughing Without an Accent to compare.
I enjoyed reading your review and agreed with your comments about “Funny in Farsi”, which I read just last month, also for a book group. I thought it was a quick and easy read but scattered and I was not really impressed with it. However, for some reason, I am tempted to read this one, mainly because of your review. Therefore, please consider me for the giveaway.
I would like to win this book! Thanks for the chance.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I’d enjoy reading this book, given your book group’s comments; please enter my name in the giveaway.
I loved her first book, and I’d love to read this one!
Thoughtful review, as always. Please put my name in the proverbial hat; I’d like to give the book a try. Thanks!
I enjoy books about other cultures. Please include me in the giveaway.
I had the same issue about the organization of Funny in Farsi, but I enjoyed it overall (my review: http://c2rcc.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/39-funny-in-farsi-by-firoozeh-dumas/). I’d love to win a copy of her new one!
Sounds like a great read, please count me in!!
This book has been on my reading list for a couple of years now. I’d love the chance to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’d love to give this a try!
I’d love it. Thank you for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com