Unimagined is the hilarious, touching and powerful acclaimed memoir of Imran Ahmad, who at aged one moved with his family from Pakistan to London. Torn between his Islamic roots and his desire to be accepted in the West, Imran recalls the trials and tribulations of being an outsider wanting in. From shocking discrimination to side-splitting anecdotes, "Unimagined" provides the foreground for how the UK and world have changed immeasurably over the last three decades. As Imran grappling with identity, purpose and life, he also embraces that age-old, universal desire - for love.
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'Unimagined is beautifully written, funny and endearing, and in its own quiet way, important.' - Sue Townsend
'It deserves all the praise it's had - clearly & vividly written, it's funny and perceptive' - Philip Pullman
'Hurrah for a memoir that isn't miserable! Hurray for [his] terrific sense of humour ... an entertaining, moving and thoroughly thought-provoking tale of our times.' - Daily Mail
'Wonderfully evocative and strangely touching.' - The Sunday Times
'A compelling quest for belonging' - Guardian
'Forthright, wry, entirely enjoyable - A scrupulously well-intentioned look at how Christians and Muslims might live respectfully side by side.' Kirkus Reviews
' ... wonderfully funny, heart-warming, perceptive, enlightening and ironic ... His episodic story of coming to terms with the ways of the West is reminiscent of Adrian Mole, with echoes of White Teeth, but it has its own unique voice ... endearing, deadpan humour ... Likely to be a word-of-mouth hit ... has the makings of a slow-build bestseller ... ' Publishing News
'A fascinating insight ...' Sydney Morning Herald
'... an amusing and highly accessible book which deals with a range of theological and cross-cultural issues ...' Canberra Times
'Occasionally, booksellers come upon a title which they believe is a defining moment in their trade.' Clive Keeble - Bookseller, Langport, Somerset
'I don't normally consider unsolicited approaches, but I just loved Unimagined so much!' Catherine Lockerbie - Director, Edinburgh International Book Festival
'It is also impossible not to enjoy and be moved by Imran's book; his whimsical self-deprecating style is the spoonful of sugar that belies the importance of his work and the wisdom which informs it.' - Wendy Were - Creative Director, Sydney Writers' Festival
'My team and I read Unimagined this weekend, and we all loved it. I learned more about Islam and the West from reading Unimagined, than I did from all the other books I've read, put together.' --Juliet Rogers - CEO, Murdoch Books, Sydney
From the Publisher
This edition is now out-of-print and has been replaced by the updated: 'Unimagined: Muhammad, Jesus and James Bond'.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Allos
Format:Hardcover
An interesting and thought provoking account of growing up in Britain from the 70's through to the 90's as a Muslim. Not too deep, often funny, and always readable, the author takes you through his life a year at a time, and touches on racism and christian fundamentalism along the way.
I, like many I suspect, had very little understanding of the Muslim faith, and now feel a little more enlightened thanks to the authors unpreaching manner.
The writing style is very personal and draws you in so you want to know what happens next. I do not usually read biographies, but was pleasantly surprised by this one, and have recommended it to many of my friends.
I, like many I suspect, had very little understanding of the Muslim faith, and now feel a little more enlightened thanks to the authors unpreaching manner.
The writing style is very personal and draws you in so you want to know what happens next. I do not usually read biographies, but was pleasantly surprised by this one, and have recommended it to many of my friends.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Alicia Hills
Format:Hardcover
I heard Imran Ahmad on Midweek (Libby Purves, Radio 4) and was completely charmed. I bought the book immediately. All my maternal instincts resonated when I saw the front cover, and I was hooked after the first page. I loved the directness of the writing, testimonial in style, but precisely and artfully describing significant snatches of life which are revealing and enlightening in its tender observation. I was totally engaged with this portrait, in some ways familiar but intensely curious with the fresh insights he brought with his cultural roots. On every level, Imran Ahmad balances humour with ugliness, sympathy with frustation, dignity with insolence, drawing us along gently, whimsically, and completely. It is a wonderfully warm invitation to share his unimagined and intimate insights, not just as a Muslim but as a child and a man. I was bereft when I read the last page! READ THIS!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Huma
Format:Hardcover
I have been reading biographies for many years but I must say that 'unimagined' is one of the best ones I have read so far. The author has written about his experiences in most honest and enjoyable manner. It makes you wonder how different people live different lives but when it comes to certain experiences, total strangers can relate to each other sharing similar thoughts. I think the message given by him about Islam is very clear and straight forward. For a moment I forgot that I was reading a biography and not a review about 'Islam in 21st century'. I personally believe that a lot of young muslims can benefit from this book. His step by step narration of his life was such that by the end I thought that I almost knew him in person. It defenitely is a very captivating and amusing book. I have always beleived that if an author has enjoyed writing a book, the reader will enjoy reading it. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and I will surely recommend it to others.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as present
Bought as present ... ... .. .. . ... .. . ...... .. .. .. . . . . .. .
Published 2 months ago by Jaybee
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unlikable
A decent read. I liked the chronology of this book and reading Ahmad's difference in thoughts as he grew older. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Stepping Out of the Page
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unimagined: Muhammad,Jesus and James Bond
A funny, emotional and insightful read.
The main character does at times come across as a little pompous, however, this is a really good read!
The main character does at times come across as a little pompous, however, this is a really good read!
Published 21 months ago by Firuza
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Gentle Humour
I read this book at two sittings as it is so engaging.
It is a warm and gentle account of a first generation immigrant boy growing up in Britain who tries to square off... Read more
It is a warm and gentle account of a first generation immigrant boy growing up in Britain who tries to square off... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2011 by Asif I
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book
A warm, honest and humorous account of a schoolboys life through to his university education. Well written and very endearing. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2011 by Alison123
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMPLY SUPERB!
The book kicks off with his mother's extremely difficult labour to finally deliver him into this world, described in just two pages in a filmy manner with the "heavy downpour" and... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2010 by The Review Girl @komzreviews.blogspot.com
3.0 out of 5 stars
A lively book group discussion
I recently heard Imran Ahmad speak at a literary festival and I have to say he was a riveting speaker. Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by DubaiReader
4.0 out of 5 stars
charming
Unimagined: A Muslim Boy Meets the West
This is charming.
Imran constantly questions who he is, where he is going. Read more
This is charming.
Imran constantly questions who he is, where he is going. Read more
Published on 13 April 2010 by SusieH
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Read
I loved this book - it is heart-warming, funny and gave me a wonderful incite into an upbringing so very different from my own. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2009 by C. Alleyne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Made me laugh out loud
I thought the author's observations about childhood and schooldays really captured the joys and anxieties of that time of life. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2009 by Mrs. A. Mackeen
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