Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen (Audio Download): Firoozeh Dumas, Firoozeh Dumas, Random House Audio: Amazon.com.au: Books

Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen (Audio Download): Firoozeh Dumas, Firoozeh Dumas, Random House Audio: Amazon.com.au: Books



Laughing Without an Accent: Adventures of a Global Citizen
Firoozeh Dumas (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher) Format: Audible Audiobook
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (656)


NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “There’s such warmth to Dumas’ writing that it invites the reader to pull up a seat at her table and smile right along with her at the quirks of her family and Iranians and Americans in general.”—Booklist

In the New York Times bestselling memoir Funny in Farsi, Firoozeh Dumas recounted her adventures growing up Iranian American in Southern California. Now she again mines her rich Persian heritage in Laughing Without an Accent, sharing stories both tender and humorous on being a citizen of the world, on her well-meaning family, and on amusing cultural conundrums, all told with insights into the universality of the human condition. (Hint: It may have to do with brushing and flossing daily.)

With dry wit and a bold spirit, Dumas puts her own unique mark on the themes of family, community, and tradition. She braves the uncommon palate of her French-born husband and learns the nuances of having her book translated for Persian audiences (the censors edit out all references to ham). And along the way, she reconciles her beloved Iranian customs with her Western ideals.

Explaining crossover cultural food fare, Dumas says, “The weirdest American culinary marriage is yams with melted marshmallows. I don’t know who thought of this Thanksgiving tradition, but I’m guessing a hyperactive, toothless three-year-old.” On Iranian wedding anniversaries: “It just initially seemed odd to celebrate the day that ‘our families decided we should marry even though I had never met you, and frankly, it’s not working out so well.’” On trying to fit in with her American peers: “At the time, my father drove a Buick LeSabre, a fancy French word meaning ‘OPEC thanks you.’”

Dumas also documents her first year as a new mother, the familial chaos that ensues after she removes the television set from the house, the experience of taking fifty-one family members on a birthday cruise to Alaska, and a road trip to Iowa with an American once held hostage in Iran.

Droll, moving, and relevant, Laughing Without an Accent shows how our differences can unite us—and provides indelible proof that Firoozeh Dumas is a humorist of the highest order.

Praise for Laughing Without an Accent

“Dumas is one of those rare people: a naturally gifted storyteller.”—Alexander McCall Smith

“Laughing Without an Accent is written . . . as if Dumas were sharing a cup of coffee with her reader as she relates her comic tales. . . . Firoozeh Dumas exudes undeniable charm [as she] reveals a zeal for culture—both new and old—and the enduring bonds of a family filled with outsize personalities.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“[Dumas is] like a blend of Anne Lamott and Erma Bombeck.”—Bust

“Humorous without being sentimental, [Dumas] speaks to the American experience.”—The Plain Dealer
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Book 2 of 2

Funny in Farsi
Listening Length

6 hours and 11 minutes

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From other countries

cycammax

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 August 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Well written by Firoozeh Dumas, fluent to read, witty and entertaining. Brought back forgotten memories of my own childhood in Abadan, Ahwaz and Tehran. I loved it and have recommended it to my English friends.

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Linye Chen

5.0 out of 5 stars Total zufrieden

Reviewed in Germany on 3 August 2021

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Ich bin total zufrieden mit allem. Das Buch ist auch fast neu.

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MARIAM SHARIATI

5.0 out of 5 stars Not expensive for the pleasure of reading

Reviewed in the United States on 2 February 2026

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Buy and read it specifically if you are familiar with with Iranian( Persian ) culture.

Puts smile on your face.

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Federica

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughing without an accent

Reviewed in Spain on 12 December 2014

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Una lectura muy amena que te hacen reír de corazón. Sabiduría transmitida sin intento de inculcar sino abrirte los ojos. Sencillez y humildad características de grandes personajes. Lo recomiendo sin duda

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Jessy

5.0 out of 5 stars Really great, quick read with a clever title

Reviewed in France on 28 August 2015

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I enjoyed this book very much and now am reading her first book. She is a great writer and storyteller!

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Daniel Chow

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, light-hearted

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book to while away the time. Very good book to chill out with.

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Mohammad Jafar

4.0 out of 5 stars It's funny but not as good as her other book

Reviewed in Canada on 14 February 2020

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It's good but feels like some leftover stories that couldn't make their way into her other (better) book, Funny in Farsi

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Eli

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny story

Reviewed in the United States on 20 November 2024

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Very funny story. At the same time we can see the differences among cultures, there’s so much to relate.

Easy reading, a great option for some light reading. I couldn’t stop it until I finished it

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Geoff F.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2018

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Loved the book and bought her other one. Funny and engaging. Geoff F

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Lisa M.

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty sure I regifted it.

Reviewed in Canada on 23 October 2015

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It was OK. I wasn't rolling around in laughter. I remember liking it but pretty sure I regifted.

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Greenfingers888

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Brilliant! Laughed so much

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Julie Stoner

5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable sequel

Reviewed in the United States on 17 May 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have been delighted to share both *Funny in Farsi* and *Laughing Without an Accent* with my half-Persian nieces and nephew. Dumas' anecdotes are very witty and entertaining per se...but, in these times of tension between the American and Iranian governments, it is also quite lovely to have the Persian culture, language, and PEOPLE represented in such a positive, engaging way.

For example, Dumas lauds the rigor of, and high regard for, education in pre-revolutionary Iran--an attitude which she contrasts with America's troubling "school-should-be-FUN!" and "everyone-gets-a-trophy-just-for-participating" and "smart-kids-should-be-ridiculed-as-nerds-and-geeks" mentality. Her depiction of the widespread appreciation of classical Persian poets in modern Iran is particularly heartwarming. (Full disclosure--I'm a poet.) It is also refreshing to have a more secular portrait of Islam than is generally available in the mainstream American media.

Dumas uses the universal language of laughter to bridge intercultural and intergenerational gaps. Although the stories are often specific to her native culture, the fish-out-of-water experiences will be very familiar to members of other immigrant groups (such as my Chinese in-laws), and to those who love them.

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barbaraje

5.0 out of 5 stars five stars

Reviewed in the United States on 12 May 2016

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After reading the author's first book "Funny in Farsi" I sought out and bought this one. I'll copy my first review below, because my thoughts are the same, except the author has become even more polished in her writing.

This was a very funny and relatable book. We all know someone who is old fashioned, or doesn't speak the language well and is trying to fit in. This is Firoozeh's family, and the simplest things require a slight shifting of the brain to accommodate them. The complex things turn out needing to be seen from a different angle completely. The author herself came to America as a child, and so has one foot in each culture. Aside from that, she has a good way with words, and knows how to write, bringing humor to those times we all have that seem funny only in retrospect.

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GeoDeb

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read

Reviewed in the United States on 22 April 2024

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I've had this book on my Kindle for a few years and just got around to reading it. I think it's very important in this day and age to realize that not all Iranians are terrorists. I believe Mrs Dumas has really gotten that message across.

As a retired teacher I found this book wonderful, since I love to teach about social studies and geography and other cultures. As a born and raised Iowan who hasn't been back in a while it was great to read about her trip around Iowa. But, Iowa is not flat just ask anyone who has been on a bike ride across Iowa.

The one thing I did not like about this book was that she does Jump Around quite a bit from different ages and years. It's kind of like a stream of consciousness writing. So that is the only reason I gave it four stars . Otherwise it would have been a five-star book . But now that I have read this one, I need to go back and reread her first one that I haven't read in about 20 years.

I believe that this book would be great for any teacher and clips of it could be used to teach about other cultures in the classroom. It should be mandatory reading for politicians in both countries!

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opiri

3.0 out of 5 stars The author is funny, forgiving

Reviewed in the United States on 18 March 2015

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The author is funny, forgiving, and very aware of cultural and personal differences. She moves through the world with peace in her heart and a hope that others do as well.

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Cheyenne

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this! A truly wonderful read!

Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2015

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While quite not as funny as the first book, Funny in Farsi, Ms. Dumas is a skilled writer. Coming from a large extended family myself, i love hearing about Ms. Dumas' hilarious and lovable family. I love her father, who reminds me so much of my own. Her mother is engaging and loving, as well. The author is very honest and best of all has a great sense of humor. Laughs at herself. Makes a connection to me (and I hope everyone) as a natural born America, in that we're all people. Some good, some bad, regardless of nationality. Can't wait for her next book. Just left me feeling happy and smiling and sad that I had finished the book.

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Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!!

Reviewed in the United States on 19 December 2020

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I loved every story, although I do feel guilty about having a tv and letting my kids watch so much of it. I did limit when they were young. She has let me sed the people of Iran (I do pronounce it right but mostly because of funny in Farsi lol which is a hilarious book by the way). I picked up this book because I was tired of all the negativity on tv and in my house. Usually read a different type of more depressing book. This book did make me cry in some places but it restored my faith in humanity. Thank you Far okay. Sorry if I misspelled that. I encourage everyone to read Funny in Farsi and Laughing without an accent. She even pointed me to my be t book. The one written by Katherine.

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Saskia Totuya

1.0 out of 5 stars Print quality sucks

Reviewed in the United States on 12 May 2026

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The book I got is new, but it is a horrible print. The cover looks like it’s been sanded down. So disappointing.

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E. Cartwright

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book

Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2016

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I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so funny and interesting and contained a lot of wisdom too. I never knew anybody from Iran. I had lots of bad impressions from the hostage crisis. Also I had been frightened by seeing on tv the apparent need for people in Iran to go out in the streets and chant, "Death to America" It is hard to feel good about people who appear to want you dead. But this book made me feel so much better. I liked learning all about Iranian people, especially the food. And it was very comforting to hear from an Iranian who actually liked some things about America and who did not appear to want people like me dead. The humor helped also.

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sciereen

5.0 out of 5 stars Collection of funny anecdotes

Reviewed in the United States on 25 March 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Whether you're an immigrant adjusting to life in a new country or simply a fan of good comedy, this book is sure to entertain and inspire. I’d recommend coupling with Funny in Farsi by same author.

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Kindle Customer

4.0 out of 5 stars So much fun!

Reviewed in the United States on 15 September 2020

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I never expected to wish that i was Iranian, but Firoozeh Dumas made me long for a big Iranian family. I read this out loud with my husband. We looked forward to her funny, poignant stories each night. I feel the need to find a good Persian restaurant and try some of the good she wrote about.

Definitely a thumbs up for this book.

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DonnaEllis

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Miss This Book! A GREAT Read!

Reviewed in the United States on 22 June 2016

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This is one of the BEST books I've read in ages! I never laughed so hard and read parts of this out loud to my husband, who at times didn't see the humor in it! LOL This is a book that I will re-read in time....and as soon as I read down some of the books I have waiting for me on my kindle, I'm going to order her other book! I'd also love to know her in person, as I bet she's a hilarious person..... Just her chapter with her speech to the graduating class was the BEST! Do NOT miss this book...I have recommended it to several of my friends, and can hardly wait for her next book!

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Alicia May

5.0 out of 5 stars No matter the accent, everyone's family is funny

Reviewed in the United States on 31 January 2020

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Ms. Dumas is in great form in her latest book. No matter their country of origin, our parents will embarrass us MANY times throughout our lives. Just love them & keep on going. She made me long to be part of an immigrant family and proud to be from the US all at the same time. She made me laugh aloud even when I was all alone. I adored her 10 points from her graduation speech. They were indeed 10 pearls of wisdom.

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Barbara L. Cory

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethnic Charm

Reviewed in the United States on 17 September 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I was married to an Iranian for a long time, and my daughter's half Iranian. Ms. Dumas anecdotes are all very familiar to me. I'm not quite done with the book, but it's a fun read! I'm giving it to my daughter when I'm done with it. None of the Iranians I've known were religious at all (that's part of why they came over here!), and I love their food, and most of their customs. I was actually looking for a Persian cookbook when I came across this. If you have Persians among your friends or family, you'll get a kick out of it. And this coming from a die hard literature fan!

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mojo73

4.0 out of 5 stars ENJOYABLE READ

Reviewed in the United States on 12 March 2015

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This book was a pleasure to read. I loved the author's sense of humor and it was a fascinating look

into Iranian culture. Unfortunately when we hear of Iran we tend to only think of war and chaos, this

book opened my eyes to a softer side from the view of a kind little girl and her remarkable family.

I was so captivated by the stories she shared that I was bummed out the book ended.

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Jennifer Schulz Mitchell

4.0 out of 5 stars full of warmth, understanding and laughter.

Reviewed in the United States on 20 March 2015

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As a former American abroad, teacher of ESL and Spanish, I appreciate the joys of looking at life thru multicultural glasses. After reading this delightful book, I am overcome with a wish to meet the author and share a coffee or tea and a conversation. I love her intelligence, great sense of humor, and her humanity. I have enjoyed her participation on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me", part of my Saturday morning life.

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Hazel Whiteoak

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh & Learn

Reviewed in the United States on 19 March 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Haven't laughed so much since I read Funny in Farsi. My husband asked me to go read in another room as my laughing out loud with tears down my face was disturbing his watching golf on TV! As amusing and easy to read as the book is, there is a lot to learn and think about Iran and about our American way of life. Can't recommend it enough.

Perfect reading for anyone who wants to know about the rest of the world, take a fresh look at ourselves while laughing with every turn of the page.

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Jonathan Borden

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and touching stories of culture clash in an immigrant family

Reviewed in the United States on 20 December 2019

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For anyone interested in cross-cultural contact, this book is an enjoyable collection of stories of one woman's life as a child in Iran, a young immigrant growing up in the US, and an adult with a family who can see her aging relatives through both her Iranian and American eyes. Funny, inspirational, touching. A good read in the form of short stories easily read just one at a time.

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Ken

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Stories

Reviewed in the United States on 21 July 2024

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It's a truly enjoyable book.

Great tales!

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Tash

5.0 out of 5 stars Eager for More!!

Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Fantastic second book from Firoozeh! I loved her first and this second book is even funnier. I found myself laughing out loud and enjoy the fantastic written words with her parents accents!! Was actually really sad when I finished the book as I wished it was in fact not yet finished and I wished there was more!

I am gifting the book to family and friends! Great lessons for all Iranians/Persians in America to know more about their culture and laugh about life in the US :)

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Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone.

Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2016

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I'm finding that the longer I read, the more I learn about the people that share this world. As American's, we think the world should meet our standards, instead of opening our eyes to the possibilities outside of our boundaries. This book gives a great viewpoint of someone who has immigrated and stayed to raise their children here. My husband is the third generation of his family in America while mine can be traced back a 150 years. Such a difference and yet we want to stop any immigration.

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Julie D. Kravetz

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful

Reviewed in the United States on 16 December 2019

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This is a book to bring a smile to your lips. There are parallels of many immigrant stories but this novel will uniquely touch your heart. While I am not an immigrant, I felt a close connection with the author. It is lots of heart and soul. The universal language of laughter and authenticity brings the joy that is felt in the memoir.

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Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant

Reviewed in the United States on 20 January 2016

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To all those who haven't their homes to live, work, and raise families in other lands, this book is for you. I laughed out loud so many times but the poignancy of the family tales is also revealing of the longing to belong...To your home of origin and to the new adopted home. Firoozeh Dumas shows us America through foreign eyes and ourselves through American eyes and TV screens. I can't wait to read Funny in Farsi.

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Mitra

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed so hard!

Reviewed in the United States on 28 December 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is a really nice book and informative about the culture of certain part of Iran.

I bought it for my husband as a gift who is French to become familiar with some Iranian Culture. Afterall he is married to an Iranian:).

The first night that he started reading it, he was laughing so loud that I became very happy and pleased with my purchase. You should know that he is not very easy to laugh person, really serious most of the time.

So, I give the author 2 thumbs up!

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Barbara R. Greco

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book; I highly recommend it.

Reviewed in the United States on 29 April 2015

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I liked everything about the book. It was beautifully written; at times I laughed out loud, at others I smiled, and at others I cried. Through it all I appreciated the work of a superb writer. It was enlightening to view the American culture through the eyes of another culture while learning about the author's culture. I look forward to reading her other books and to recommending "Laughing Without an Accent" to family members, friends, and acquaintances.

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Hovik Mardirossian

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny Book

Reviewed in the United States on 26 January 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Dumas is a great writer and has an interesting sense of humor. But if you have already read her first book "Funny In Farsi", you might not like this book as much. It is like hollywood sequel movies, they are rarely as good as the original one.

But still worth reading. It is funny.

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Pam

4.0 out of 5 stars Great sense of humor.

Reviewed in the United States on 11 August 2016

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Firoozeh has a great sense of humor. I enjoyed all of her books and am going to review one of them for our book club. Her books gave me some things to think about and the cultural references are so fun. My college aged daughter also enjoyed these books.

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Katie Prestwich

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!

Reviewed in the United States on 1 August 2020

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I love these books so much! They are funny and poignant, and I love hearing about the differences between life here and in Iran.

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WEck

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting to know you.

Reviewed in the United States on 3 April 2015

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This book starts out slowly but ends with a bang. It's good to be able to get familiar with the personal thoughts and experiences of a young Islamic immigrant Woman from Iran. Her clear and lighthearted approach to a variety of entertaining, some embarrassing experiences of her family give a very practical attitude to life. Her approach was warm and friendly. It's a worthwhile way to spend a few hours. It's a good read.

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tsl52

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on 23 January 2020

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I enjoyed the book. If you or your family are from a foreign country, you'll be able to identify with much of what's in this book.

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Product details

Book 2 of 2 Funny in Farsi
Listening Length 6 hours and 11 minutes
Author Firoozeh Dumas
Narrator Firoozeh Dumas
Audible.com.au Release Date 06 January 2026
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0GC4HXQQ2
Best Sellers Rank 243,742 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
108 in Emigration & Immigration Studies (Audible Books & Originals)
401 in Cultural & Regional Biographies (Audible Books & Originals)
439 in Emigration & Immigration Studies (Books)