Children of Dust
Ali Eteraz
October 2009
337 pages
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FTC: I bought this one, too. It’s all Jill’s fault…go bug her. Except, watch out, she knows legal stuff.
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I was fascinated by this book, both when I saw it for the first (and only (wait, that’s not true…Heather reviewed it yesterday)) time on Jill’s blog, and then again while I was reading it (lucky for Jill…the other Jill, not me, although come to think of it, lucky for me, too). You can read Jill’s review here.
Anyways (I’m in an especially paranthetical mood today). Children of Dust begins in Pakistan, as Eteraz (who wasn’t Eteraz then…he does seem to change his name as much as he changes his identity) describes a childhood spent largely in a remote desert town. The stand-out memory from this time in the desert is his attendance at a madrassa, where he learned to recite the Koran (incentives were in the form of beatings).
When he was a teenager, the family immigrated to the US, to the Bible Belt, of all places. Although Eteraz and his younger brother tried to be typical American teens (I don’t wanna study the Koran, I just wanna watch tv!), his parents became increasingly religious. In college, Eteraz himself became increasingly fundamentalist (in the religious sense, not the terrorist sense), even going so far as to return to Pakistan in search of a wife (which would keep him from being tempted by all those college co-eds). The trip was a bust, although it did open his eyes to Pakistani’s perceptions of Americans…and the fact that he was now considered an American.
After he returned to the US, Eteraz backed away from religious fundamentalism, although he became highly involved in Muslim student organizations. While externally pious, inside he had doubts. Following college and law school and a brief career, Eteraz chucked it all to become an activist, promoting reform and a path away from extremism.
Eteraz constantly reinvents himself. As a child, he was promised to Islam. He doubted his parents’ fundamentalism but then followed in their footsteps. As he renounced fundamentalism and found his new career in activism, Eteraz found a way to promote change within Islam.
There are two things that stand out about this book (besides the story itself, which is a compelling account of a man’s journey through Islam). Eteraz isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself. And there are interesting details about Islam weaved into the story. I’d recommend this book if you are at all interested in Islam, as it highlights the differences within the religion, as well as some of its similarities with Christianity.
I have this one to review as well. I’m very intrigued about the subject matter.
.-= Jenn’s Bookshelves´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday: January 5th =-.
It’s true that he changed himself so often you wonder why he didn’t wait awhile to add more chapters with more new versions of himself!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Guest Post by Author Linda Gillard and Giveaway of Emotional Geology =-.
This looks really interesting and right up my alley. I’ve added it to my list…
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Review: Metamorphosis (Graphic Novel) =-.
I’m so glad you liked this one – hopefully I can get to it soon.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Sherlock Holmes =-.
This sounds interesting! And by the way, loving your notes to the FTC
.-= gentle reader´s last blog ..Booking Through Thursday: Gifts =-.
I am interested in reading more about Islam, so this sounds like a great book for me. I’ll keep my eye on it.
.-= mee´s last blog ..Herding Cats II Herded =-.
Lol! You really seemed to give it your all with parenthesis in this post
I have to say that I do not usually read books like this one, dealing with extremist Islam in one way or another. However, it’s time to step out of my “comfort zone” this year and Children of Dust might just be the one to help with it.
.-= lilly´s last blog ..BTT: Gifts =-.
I am anxious to complete this book. I started reading it before the Holidays and well… that was just a ridiculous attempt. I need to get back to it as what I had read really was interesting.
.-= Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last blog ..Bloggiesta! 2nd Addition Starting Line =-.
thanks for the review – this one definitely interests me. Like you, I love to travel and read books from places I have been or are hankering to get to! I also have an interest in immigrant fiction and this one fits that bill too!
.-= Colleen (Books in the City)´s last blog ..Inaugural Bloggiesta! =-.
This one sounds quite interesting. I wouldn’t mind reading it one of these days.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Vietnam War Reading Challenge 2010 =-.
It just occurred to me that if the FTC ever comes after you (and they might… just for snarkiness and non respecting them), you can just razzle dazzle them and somehow blame everything on the OTHER JILL (who might actually be Linda Gillard. Did you see her “guest” post?) : )
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..My Wishlist =-.
I have been reading this one as I have had time and the writing and story are both excellent, unfortunately other book commitments keep getting in the way.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Literary Feasts: Beautiful Creatures, by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl =-.
I’ve been undecided about this. Now I think maybe I should give it a chance.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Bloggiesta: Wrap-Up =-.