Sarfraz Manzoor

Probably the best memoir of the migrant experience I have read. Safraz’s complex relationships with his parents, particularly his father, his race (British Pakistani) and his religion (Muslim) are told with gut wrenching honesty. Although the book is promoted as an exploration of Bruce Springsteen fandom, this is only a small part of Safraz’s story. The book is a complex read and the non linear format will keep you on your toes.
Want to see the film inspired by this book now.

Sarfraz Manzoor is Pakistani and has been living in England since he was two years old. Now he is a journalist who has worked for the Guardian, among other media outlets. He has also turned this memoir Greetings from Bury Park into a fictionalized screenplay for the movie Blinded by the light. In his book he tells his story: What was it like growing up in England? What was it like living up to his family's values at home and being another self at school? Would he ever find love? What is love show more anyway? How to cope with the death of his father? All those questions are answered, or at least attempted to, by Manzoor in his short memoir of the first three decades years of his life.

This memoir is not structured chronologically, but rather by different categories that are always prefaced by a song title and lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song. Why Springsteen? When Manzoor was young he discovered the music of Bruce Springsteen through his best friend Amolak and they have been serious fans from an early age. Manzoor even goes so far as to say that Springsteen's music had the answers about the big questions in life that he could not find anywhere else, neither with friends, nor with family, nor through religion. While teenage life is hard enough as it is, it is even harder for a boy from Pakistan growing up in 1980s England. Personal insecurities are amplified by cultural differences and trying to find his way in life is that much harder for Manzoor than for other teenagers as there are high expectations of his family that are added on top of societal pressures. I liked how Manzoor explores the formation of his identity and his relationship to Britishness. Despite everything that he had to go through growing up he eventually describes England as his land of hope and dreams, in reference to the eponymous Springsteen song.

I read this book because I was intrigued when I first listened to a radio interview while driving through Scotland in the summer of 2019, which was when the movie was published. Note that the movie is only a fictionalized account of Manzoor's life and the book is the actual version. I liked both the book and the movie a lot. 4 stars for the book. show less

Saw the film on the flight to see our son abroad. Thought I would read the book - the 'source' material. I was surprised. Very pleasantly. The book and the film are not one and the same. The book gives a whole different dimension to the story of a Sarfraz Manzoor as a young Pakistani Muslim growing up in the UK. The book is not a linear timeline, but almost a series of essays. It is well written, inciteful and easy to read. It shows the inner workings on the mind of Sarfraz as he grows up show more and matures in the UK.
Reading this makes you realise, what you already know; no matter what our colour or religion we are all the. same inside with similar values and tastes. I'm sure. many men (this isn't sexist by the way) can relate to Sarfraz's relationship with his dad. Only when they're gone do you realise that they were there to do their best for you. I felt a pang of sadness thinking about this, particularly the bits about him not seeing his grandchildren.
The. film and now the book have made me revisit Springsteen. For this I can only thank Sarfraz. I thought that they were simply songs...they are philosophy! show less

I decided to read [b:Greetings from Bury Park|2190231|Greetings from Bury Park|Sarfraz Manzoor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320499674l/2190231._SY75_.jpg|2195950] by [a:Sarfraz Manzoor|650097|Sarfraz Manzoor|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] after seeing the movie it inspired, "Blinded by the Light". I decided on the spur of the moment to see the movie on a hot August weekend night. I am an show more adult male but I will admit that the tears flowed liberally.

I will start by stating that I like Bruce Springsteen only to a point. I liked the book and movie far more than Bruce's music. The book reinforces my love of Western culture and the freedom that it gives. Mr. Manzoor exemplifies the tension between loyalty to hearth, home and community and the opportunity to embrace the joy and freedom that Britain and America make possible.

While acknowledging and not shedding his roots, he firmly rejects the madness and fanaticism of extremist religious culture. As for Springsteen I see him in a whole new light. My instincts that he was a down-to-earth and normal version of the twisted genius Bob Dylan was born out. I highly recommend the twin experience of the book and the movie. I will not spoil the experience by divulging the successful resolution of the internal cultural torment. show less