What came across was a wonderful experience rich with tales of loneliness and desire, both set so exquisitely in the small town of Truitt, Wisconsin. Without giving much away, I'd like to add that most of the story takes place during the winter and involves three main characters, Ralph Truitt, Catherine Land and Antonio - the estranged son of Ralph Truitt.

The book is an absolute delight to read through. And since this review doesn't cut it. Here is a link to what the Washington Post had to say about the book.

I may pretend that I never wrote this review if this book lands a lot of laughs in "Ee-hran".

After a thorough read I can very much say that my fellow American's will laugh at just about anything. Particularly jokes that are based on funny accents, foreign names, and pretty much anything foreign. Such are the jokes that are carried on for 187 pages in this book. It somehow manages to never get old. Unless you work at the help-desk and have trouble pronouncing "virus" and are named Rajakrishnamurtanum. Then it gets old, very fast...

To be fair Funny in Farsi did teach me a couple of things. Now I know exactly why my Iranian friends in Dubai celebrated "Nawruz" and why their dinner table used to be displayed with objects starting with the letter "s" each year.

Family values depicted in the book are honorable. The love that shines through the family bonds is immense and at times heart warming. Too bad it doesn't exist much back in the middle east any more.

Oh and the chapter on "The Ham Amendment" is definitely worth a read. It gives you an interesting take on why Pork was not allowed for muslims. Hmm. When someone figures this one out let me know. I know it has little to do with it being cooked "just right". Muslims roasted whole lambs for parties back in the day... I think they could've managed to roast a piglet or two. 

On the light side of things. I think the book is intended for a light-hearted read.

[Unless of course you have a playstation w/ MW2 and wish to compete for trophies. =p.]

The state of the nation today unravels many of the mistakes made by our forefathers. People like Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharaf and countless others have taken away from Pakistan the dreams envisioned by its founders.

Corruption amasses a lot of nations, but in reality it can have two distinct outcomes. I am a believer in peace and justice but what goes on in our country can no longer be dealt with through the lens of hypocrisy.

I learnt about the Sri Lankan cricket team through my wife who seems more interested in news about Pakistan than me. None the less I was disappointed and infuriated. Hearing about law enforcement officer’s fleeing the scene and watching the gruesome pictures collect up on my RSS feed was saddening.

I’m not a harsh man and like to look at things rationally without bias. That’s what my engineering mind tells me to do. Research, research and then produce results. The desire to belong whether it be to a nation, a set of people, or a set of ideologies always leads to bias.

I am blessed in the regard that being raised in different environments around different nationalities and different cultures gives me that edge: Non biased opinion. Growing up with a non conformist attitude while trying to blend in simultaneously can be hypocritical, yet I was willing to live with this. After all the learning experience was something I would cherish later on.

One of the basic goals of humanity is survival. We learn to adjust to our surroundings when threatened, when defeated, or when appreciated. We always learn to adopt.

The wise will enforce the ideology that knowledge supersedes all. They forget to mention that even with knowledge we are still human. We have attained a scholarship but aren’t willing to let go of petty human attributes.

Fear and corruption are just two attributes Pakistan is full of. It’s through word of mouth. You can learn this on the streets or bazaars, people talking about corrupt leaders and misguided ways of the nation. Yet many proclaim allegiance while some just live under fear. Fear that they might be harmed if they spoke their minds.

It is a sad disposition when through the lenses of foreign cameras you follow the demise of a nation your parents called home.

We, the people are clearly ready for a rude awakening. If not today? Then when, must we wake up from our slumber and ignite the flame of justice in our hearts? When must we be okay to watch an old mother go to sleep wondering how she will feed her children in the morning? When will we answer to our brothers who don’t have jobs to feed their little ones? Or keep a roof under their heads? When will we sober up and realize our sins? The sins of our fore fathers?

I need not go into history to reveal that we have lost everything, the beauty of the Islamic nation, the trust of being a Muslim man, the sincerity of being a Muslim wife, the love of family, all because of our bad faith.

More than half a century later and more then three generations past, we still stand at the same pot hole our founders thought we would fill through our hard work and resilience. For the nation, by the nation. These are forgotten words, but they were drafted so eloquently by our founding fathers. Our constitution is proof of their understanding to “change” and “peace”.

It is our duty to follow the path of righteousness. Not just as Pakistan’s citizen but as Muslims and citizens of the nation of Islam. On the path we shall find the strength and because of it we will succeed. Tormented by the past we are at cross roads today. I know not what may became of this cause. But I know we need to wake up. We must not let men with poor conscious guide us any longer. Men that have done nothing but harm us. Men that have driven brother against brother. Men that have led us to believe seeking help from others is righteous. Men that have made us ashamed to call ourselves Pakistani’s. Men that have caused millions of us to flee a country that was founded to give us a home. Men that instead of safeguarding our lives have taken advantage of our patience. These are not visions of a nation that was founded by my founder.

We must realize that there is no one but us that can change the course of history. Our children should not have to read that we stood by and let oppression rule. They should not have to be subjected to the shame we feel to call ourselves Pakistani’s when we see Pakistan’s objectives questioned at the international level.

We have a long ways to go.