- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (7 Jun 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007156960
- ISBN-13: 978-0007156962
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,014,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
'Excellent, gripping and thought-provoking… I thoroughly enjoyed it.' John Simpson
‘Funny, pacy, illuminating … it really is as good as everyone says. I recommend it hugely’ Mail on Sunday
‘A moving and intelligent book. Culture-clash is an old theme but few have done it better’ Economist
‘I read Kandahar Cockney in a single sitting. Not only is it suspenseful, but the descent into the strange and terrifying world of the asylum-seeker is both revealing and told with humour. This book is a bridge between two very different but sometimes oddly similar cultures. It reinforces my conviction that the British and the Afghans share many traits and values: a great sense of humour, abundant self-control, cheerful resilience in the face of enormous odds and a courage that is often heroic.’ Nick Danziger
'Part travel, part memoir, part biography, Kandahar Cockney is more than a remarkable and vivid portrait of an Afghan refugee in Britain: it captures the essence of modern exile itself, with its expectations and hopes, its setbacks and fears, and the immensity of the cultural divide between East and West. Sad, funny and poignant, it also provides a disturbing look at the British legal system in its too often arbitrary, casual – and racist – dealings with those who seek asylum. I don't think I have ever read a better picture of what exile means. A wonderful read: terrific writing. I loved the book' Caroline Moorehead
Jack Magazine, June 2004
'touching, utterly compelling book...a sensational first book.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
With so much rubbish these days on TV and with so many unreadable books, it's always refreshing to come across something like this one, which is very well written in an articulate and intelligent manner with very good characterization and general description of things (it really is 'like you're there'). Although this book is a recollection of events that really happened, it reads like a novel and if you didn't know the story behind it then that's what you think it is.
With large sections of the media not always particularly favourable towards refugees, it's also an excellent look at the life of one of them and enables you as a reader to see how it can be for them. It should certainly be given to a few politicians and journalists to read. It describes life as a refugee sometimes in a humourous, tongue-in-cheek manner (some great descriptions of culture shock for example) while never losing sight of the deeper issues involved, which makes it all the more readable.
With large sections of the media not always particularly favourable towards refugees, it's also an excellent look at the life of one of them and enables you as a reader to see how it can be for them. It should certainly be given to a few politicians and journalists to read. It describes life as a refugee sometimes in a humourous, tongue-in-cheek manner (some great descriptions of culture shock for example) while never losing sight of the deeper issues involved, which makes it all the more readable.
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A great book, very sad in parts, but also very uplifting. Helps you understand how hard it must be to be a refugee in England. James is obviously a bit of a dude.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Laughter and Pathos across cultures
23 Feb 2009
Format:Paperback
This is a true story written by a journalist about his Afghani contact who served as his interpreter in rebel-controlled Afghanistan, in the late 1990s. Later, this assistant had to flee the country and Fergusson had the opportunity to serve as the Afghani's guide in England. The story details the friendship and camaraderie that developed between these two disparate human beings from such different cultures.
It is an insightful survey of the differences and similarities between the Western [British] and Eastern or Islamic worldviews. It covers the period from the Taliban through the Karzai unity government in Afghanistan in 2004.
Fergusson relates many experiences with the Afghani community in Afghanistan and in London. Some episodes are hilarious as he explains the clashes and connections between his prior life and worldview and that quite foreign worldview of his Afghani friend.
The author's reflection on his own thoughts and reactions are very insightful for westerners who have had no experience with Central or South Asian cultures. Likewise the stories enable us to learn of the Afghani culture and the tortured life of Afghanistan in recent years.
It is an insightful survey of the differences and similarities between the Western [British] and Eastern or Islamic worldviews. It covers the period from the Taliban through the Karzai unity government in Afghanistan in 2004.
Fergusson relates many experiences with the Afghani community in Afghanistan and in London. Some episodes are hilarious as he explains the clashes and connections between his prior life and worldview and that quite foreign worldview of his Afghani friend.
The author's reflection on his own thoughts and reactions are very insightful for westerners who have had no experience with Central or South Asian cultures. Likewise the stories enable us to learn of the Afghani culture and the tortured life of Afghanistan in recent years.
Insigthful
4 Feb 2007
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed reading this book and - having lived in Afghanistan for over 3 years - found it very insightful.
Just one slight oversight. On pages 318-19 of paperback version, a reference to Nauroz and 21 March is made as the 'Muslim New Year'. Nauroz or first day of spring (21 March) is in fact the first day of 'Persian New Year' (an initially Zoroastrian festival) celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan (perhaps some other places as well). Its only link with Isalm is that it has the Hijra as its starting point.
Just one slight oversight. On pages 318-19 of paperback version, a reference to Nauroz and 21 March is made as the 'Muslim New Year'. Nauroz or first day of spring (21 March) is in fact the first day of 'Persian New Year' (an initially Zoroastrian festival) celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan (perhaps some other places as well). Its only link with Isalm is that it has the Hijra as its starting point.
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