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Greetings from Bury Park
- Narrated by: Sarfraz Manzoor
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Cultural, Ethnic & Regional
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Summary
Sarfraz Manzoor was two years old when his family emigrated from Pakistan to join his father in Bury Park, Luton. His teenage years were a constant battle to reconcile being both British and Muslim. But when his best friend introduced him to Bruce Springsteen, his life changed for ever. In this affectionate and timely memoir, Manzoor retraces his journey from the frustrations of his childhood to his reaction to the tragedies of 9/11 and 7/7.
Original, darkly tender and wryly amusing, this is an inspiring tribute to the power of music to transcend race and religion and a moving account of a relationship between father and son.
Critic reviews
"Beautiful and moving...a book to make you believe that we are all more alike than we know." (Tony Parsons)
"Every detail rings so true that you feel you have been offered a seat in his living-room. Suffusing all this is Manzoor's warm, humane, unsensational voice: it makes you want to extend the hand of friendship to him." (Sunday Telegraph)
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What listeners say about Greetings from Bury Park
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- Who cares what I think.
- 13-08-19
Made me think
I wanted to read this before watching the movie. As an English Pakistani that grow up in the 80s I think it's It's a perfect representation of life and family in those times. It made me laugh and cry but most of all it's made me think about my own family and my relationships with them. Give the book a go I think you enjoy it.
5 people found this helpful
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- Mark
- 06-08-19
'Born in Pakistan but made in England'
I am I lifelong Bruce fan and this was the initial appeal of the book but it is so much more than just a Boss fan book. Safraz Manzoor has written a wonderful book that is full of joy and humour as well as brilliant anecdotes about his travels in the USA in search of 'the promised land' but what most appealed to me about this book was hearing his account of family life growing up in Luton with traditional Pakistani parents and the clash of cultures between growing up in the UK while trying to respect traditional Muslim and Pakistani values. I remember seeing a Pakistani guy organising the queues at Springsteen concerts (Crystal Palace comes to mind) and wonder now if this was Sarfraz - I like to think it was. This is an excellent memoir and I wanted to read it before seeing the film. I suspect the film will go for the feel good factor and I'm really looking forward to it. Regardless of the film (which is getting rave reviews), I would say listen to this book, increase your understanding of the lives of others, enjoy it and enrich your own life at the same time.
5 people found this helpful
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- Waggy From Derby
- 03-08-19
a life well lived,
such a heartwarming story, thanks for breaking down some barriers that never existed for me but did for many others. thankyou Safraz for telling your story so well
3 people found this helpful
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- Dr. Shahid A. Punwar
- 14-02-20
A story not often told
Finally, a book about the real experience of many British Pakistani boys growing up in the 80s, struggling to find their identity and yearning for freedom and excitement, whilst dealing with the conflict of a conservative upbringing. Family ties run deep in this memoir that will appeal especially to those with similar experiences.
2 people found this helpful
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- David Milne
- 09-01-20
thoroughly insightful journey
having watched the film I got the book and was rewarded with an entertaining and revealing insight into writers past. many aspects resonated with me having grown up at a similar time albeit that I am white and British my best friend at school was Asian and I now understand a lot more if what he went through growing up.
2 people found this helpful
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- Agatella
- 02-05-20
Very engaging - loved it
I enjoyed watching 'Blinded by the Light' so much that I decided to download the book the film was based on. I am glad I did because I absolutely loved this story and could not stop listening. I am not Pakistani and not Muslim, but also an immigrant in the UK and found the author's experiences very relatable. Beautifully written, well read by the author - I highly recommend.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 23-09-19
Brilliant!
A fab book narrated by the author, tells of his Pakistani upbringing in Luton. Eye-opening and heartfelt.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jonny Graham
- 17-09-19
Tramps like us...
A great book to listen to by all Bruce Springsteen fans and greatly narrated by the author. Baby, we were born to run....
1 person found this helpful
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- Samir Patel "Sam"
- 09-09-19
Warm and rich memoir......absolutely loved it!
I really related to Sarfraz's story as I knew him at school and grew up as a British Asian in Marsh Farm too. Parts of it made me laugh out loud as some of the places he describes I knew well. This is an extremely well told story which will have a huge impact for generations to come. Highly recommended to everyone, please do not hesitate to listen. I am so pleased that Sarfraz has been so successful and will continue to be I'm sure . He has reminded me that dreams can come true. Thank you Sarfraz.
1 person found this helpful
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- Brew
- 16-01-21
Lovely memoir
Had a whole rainbow of emotions. I'm the same age as Sarfraz and lived in Luton around the same time as him in the 70s and 80s. A very relatable story and hearing about the landmarks brought back memories. A lovely story for all to read or listen to.