Unimagined: A Muslim Boy Meets the West

by ImranAhmad (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2007

  $4.17

  Part White Teeth , part Adrian Mole , Unimagined is the captivating memoir of a Muslim boy born in Pakistan, who moves to London aged one and grows up torn between his Islamic identity and his desire to embrace the West. The endearing narrator recalls his childhood in a series of vivid snapshots: outrage as deserved victory is snatched away from him in the Karachi Bonnie Baby contest; bitterness as he is tricked out of his collection of Tarzan bubble-gum cards by junior con artists; the heady taste of success in the Metropolitan Police schools quiz; joy at passing the entrance exam to the local grammar school; uncertainty as he seeks to become a doctor (like all good Asian boys); and shock at experiencing racist abuse from pupils, neighbours and strangers. Imran's response is a determined quest to become the quintessential English gentleman: tie perfectly knotted, shirt pristinely ironed, hair neatly combed. Like most boys, he has a parallel obsession with cars and girls: he yearns to emulate his hero, Simon Templar in The Saint, by driving off into the distance in a Jaguar XJS and encountering danger, adventure - and a vivacious young woman (preferably brunette, but any kind considered). Discover Unimagined for yourself. Amusing, touching and uplifting, it has all the ingredients to become next year's surprise bestseller.

• Used

  Paperback
  2008

  $3.95

  Part White Teeth, part Adrian Mole, Unimagined is the beguiling memoir of a Muslim boy born in Pakistan, who moves to London aged two and grows up to embrace the West. The endearing narrator recalls his childhood in a series of vivid snapshots: outrage as deserved victory is snatched away from him in the Karachi Bonnie Baby contest; being tricked out of his collection of Tarzan bubble-gum cards by a junior con artist; the heady taste of success in the Metropolitan Police schools quiz; joyfully passing the entrance exam to the local grammar school; and shock at experiencing racist abuse from pupils, neighbours and strangers. Imran's response is to dedicate himself to an eternal quest to become the quintessential English gentleman: tie perfectly knotted, shirt pristinely ironed, hair neatly combed. And, like most boys, he has a parallel obsession with cars and girls: he yearns to emulate his hero, Simon Templar in Return of the Saint, by driving off into the distance in a Jaguar XJS and encountering danger, adventure - and a vivacious brunette. This hugely endearing memoir is now available in B-format paperback. Imran Ahmad was born in Pakistan, grew up in London, and went to university in Scotland. Unimagined is his first book.