I Used to Be Persian: A Comedic Memoir

Synopsis

Featured on MTV's "True Life: I Might Disappoint My Parents," comedian Justin Dane tested the patience of his conservative Persian-Jewish parents. In I Used to be Persian, "a, um, slightly exaggerated memoir" that his parents developed an anti-coalition towards, Dane offers contentious commentary on his family's--well, to state it nicely--bizarre antics. Oh, and Dane also offers a "brilliant lampoon of traditional Persian society with a flare only reminiscent of satirist Jonathon Swift's," according to the humble writer himself. (Yeah, Dane urged me present him as an "intellectual bea$t" in this blurb, but, alas, my passive-aggressive sarcasm leaks through). Readers should note that Dane's portrayal of Persians isn't an "accurate reflection of all Persians just as semi-schizophrenic, lesbian-lovin' hypochondriacs in Black Swan aren't manifestations of all ballerinas... duh. Or how a psychotic pageant mama's desire to inject Botox into her baby isn't an indication of all pageant mamas desires... hopefully." Perhaps the Persian population would appreciate Dane's disclaimer. After all, his particular Persian family is pretty eccentric. "Deez eez ze real reason Michael Jackson died!" screams Dane's Persian mama, perceiving Advil pills as ecstasy tablets. Dane then portrays his parents' melodramatic "Persian-styled interventions." And the laughs just continue. As if in a flea market in Tehran, Iran, Dane's mother attempts to negotiate prices in Best Buy. Oh, did I mention she shoves food down Dane's throat whenever his friends are around? (Embarrassing). Or that she nearly disowned him for marrying a girlfriend in Vegas? But beyond detailing the anecdotes within his "Persian cave," as well as the Beverly Hills Persian population, Dane exhibits an estrangement between traditional Persians and contemporary American society... I guess. (Hey, every good memoir needs some intelligent underlying theme, too). Dane also strikes an emotional chord within his readers. Yup, Dane elaborates on his parents' "brain washing quest to bring his hairy ass into the Dark Doctor Dynasty" amidst his aspiration to become an entertainment extraordinaire (i.e., Breetney Spears vanabee" cerca bald-hobo-attacking-car era, according to Dane's Persian parents). In fact, Dane's mother calls his school to change his major to "Medical Relations, a nonexistent curriculum" in one chapter. Needless to say, through his wild wit and disobedient disposition, Dane shatters his Persian parents' idea of perfection; he's "the insane tribal divergent" of his Persian family. And readers are there laughin' (and cringin') during every hairy situation. Pun intended.

Copyright:

2011

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

246 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781467025126

Publisher:

Authorhouse

Date of Addition:

02/28/12

Copyrighted By:

Justin Dane

Adult content:

Yes

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Entertainment, Nonfiction, Biographies and Memoirs

Submitted By:

Carrie Karnos

Proofread By:

N/A

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.