Sarfraz Manzoor was three years old when he emigrated from Pakistan to Britain in 1974 with his mother, brother and sister. They came to join their father, who worked on the production line at Vauxhall, and settled in the Bury Park neighbourhood of Luton. Sarfraz's teenage years were a constant battle to reconcile being both British and Muslim. Frustrated by real life, he sought solace in TV and music. But it was when his best friend introduced him to Bruce Springsteen that his life changed forever. In this perceptive, affectionate and timely memoir, Sarfraz Manzoor retraces his journey from Lahore to Luton to Ladbroke Grove, from the minor frustrations of his childhood to his response and analysis of the tragedies of 9/11 and 7/7. Original, darkly tender and wryly amusing, it is an inspiring tribute to the power of music to transcend race and religion - and a touching salute of thanks from one working-class Pakistani Muslim boy to the father who died too soon for his son to make him proud.
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'This is a tender, funny book, which captures the weirdness of second generation British lives as well as anything else I've read. A lot of people will recognise something of themselves in the image of an alienated Pakistani boy wandering round 80's Luton wearing a Springsteen tour T-shirt. I know I did.' Hari Kunzru 'Greetings From Bury Park is a perfect memoir, every bit as funny, sad and lyrical as I hoped it would be ever since rumour spread on the Springsteen devotee's vine of its possible existence.' Emma Forrest 'A fascinating, full-blooded and often funny journey into the heart of darkness - Luton, that is - that you don't have to be a Muslim or a Bruce Springsteen fan to get into. I am neither.' Andrew Collins
About the Author
Sarfraz Manzoor is a writer and broadcaster. He writes for the Guardian and has also written for the Observer, Prospect, New Statesman, Uncut, the Daily Mail, and Marie Claire. He has written and presented documentaries for BBC2, Channel 4, Radio 2 and Radio 4, and he is a regular presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live. Prior to his broadcasting career, Sarfraz Manzoor was a deputy commissioning editor at Channel 4, and before that he spent five years as a journalist on Channel 4 News. He divides his time between Luton and Ladbroke Grove.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By John
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a huge Springsteen fan for over 30 years I came to the book expecting fan worship; what I didn't expect was a warm and engaging book about Father-Son relationships.
I will pass the book to my son - maybe it will explain some things to him.
And the Springsteen bits were very very good.
I will pass the book to my son - maybe it will explain some things to him.
And the Springsteen bits were very very good.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book! brilliant, honest and entertaining of a life outline by a mixture of Eastern and Western values.
I completed this book in 2 nights and shared the story to some of my friends. I will pass it to them so they can enjoy it as well as I did.
I completed this book in 2 nights and shared the story to some of my friends. I will pass it to them so they can enjoy it as well as I did.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book chronicles the life of a second generation Pakistani boy living in Luton,growing up and escaping the confines of family restrictions and expectations, by going to university in Manchester.His epiphany was being introduced to the music of Bruce Springsteen.He has since found fame as a Gaurdian writer and Culture Show contributor.The book stops short of his recent adventures ,but his one man show,"Bruce Rules"brings you right up to date.I saw him at this year's Fringe festival in Edinburgh,and it was a very pleasant and entertaining hour.Catch him if you can.
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book review
I found this an enjoyable read - especially if you like Bruce Springsteen! Well written, amusing and poignant in parts.
Published 12 days ago by A E WILSON
5.0 out of 5 stars
good reading
loved this book as simply explains exactly how people in the area reside. My knowing the area made it interesting.
Published 2 months ago by murie allsop
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute read but not mind blowing
I love books like this so when I read the blurb I had to buy it. It was just ok. I wasn't moved, I wasn't awed and I wasn't inspired and I couldn't wait to finish it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Deborah Cochrane
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good in parts.
Having lived in an area close to Bury Park, I was interested how it would be portrayed in the book. I was a little disappointed that apart from the reference to the Father wanting... Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2011 by jonesy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute must.
Sarfraz is a absolute legend and inspiration for all minority groups. Absolutely love the book and completely bang on. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2007 by 2tellyou
4.0 out of 5 stars
humorously written
Sarfraz
A great book which captures so many of my own experiences of family life especially the day to day things. Read more
A great book which captures so many of my own experiences of family life especially the day to day things. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2007 by Adeela Shafi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Anyone who is a music fan will most likely have one band that stands out most for them, that provides a soundtrack for their life, and for Sarfraz this is Bruce Springsteen. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2007 by K. Birch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enlightening and Entertaining
Sarfraz Manzoor's autobiographical account of life as British Muslim Pakistani growing up in Luton in the 70s/80s. Read more
Published on 26 July 2007 by Mala
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty and Imaginative...
This book was a breath of fresh air; so much so that I found it difficult to put it down! It was elegantly written with great charm and sophistication. Read more
Published on 22 July 2007 by Farah Pervez
3.0 out of 5 stars
A book of eight essays
This book consists of eight chapters and each chapter is an essay about Manzoor's life, each one with a different theme, e.g. religion, racism, America. Read more
Published on 13 July 2007 by Mike Dawson
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