The narrator recalls his childhood in a series of snapshots: from coming second in a Bonnie Baby competition to attending the local grammar school and the shock of experiencing racism in its many forms.
His response is to dedicate himself to becoming the quintessential English gentleman: tie perfectly knotted, shirt pristinely ironed and hair neatly combed. But like most boys, he has a parallel obsession with cars and girls.
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"Loved, loved, loved this book! I loved his awkward tales of growing up, unrequited loves, and his later success in life. He managed to bumble his way into a really good life. Definitely an Adrian Mole-ish quality to it. I almost downgraded this to four stars at the end. I thought he breezed through his later life too much. I wanted to find out more about what happened to his marriage, but I suppose, as the Perfect Gentleman, he would not reveal too much. But then he won me over with his very elegant conclusion about how we are all the same deep down inside, no matter what religion or belief." — Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
"Loved, loved, loved this book! I loved his awkward tales of growing up, unrequited loves, and his later success in life. He managed to bumble his way into a really good life. Definitely an Adrian Mole-ish quality to it. I almost downgraded this to four stars at the end. I thought he breezed through his later life too much. I wanted to find out more about what happened to his marriage, but I suppose, as the Perfect Gentleman, he would not reveal too much. But then he won me over with his very elegant conclusion about how we are all the same deep down inside, no matter what religion or belief."
" A gem of a reading group choice! The guy writes well, is amusing and has a decent story to tell. What more could you ask? "
" Interesting, author has a fresh point of view and expresses himself well. "
" his childhood remembrances were witty and relatable (as a muslim girl who's also met the west). but as he got older, the writing became more self-conscious and deliberate... and a little too religious for my cup o' tea. "
" I really enjoyed this, actually, even though it didn't turn out to be anything like what I expected. I really would have liked more cohesion, though, especially toward the end. "
" The author - Imran Ahmad - critcized on several problems he felt in the West, in such a light and funny way. But I just gave it 3 stars ;) "
" I don't usually do biographies, but this was by far the most enjoyable, light reading books I picked up from the biography section. "
" Eye opening! His prose evokes excellent imagery. One of my favourite plane reads thus far "
" A very well written and insightful look at he UK during his childhood, I grew up in the same era and it rang very true. Not a WOW! book but very much worth reading. "
" good literature for moslem ,, "
" A delightful read. The editor's short foreword is not to be missed. I just wish there were more books like this. The front cover is adorable - the author at 2 years old in a suit and tie. "
" I really enjoyed The Perfect Gentlemen. I first read it a few years ago when it came out in England as "Unimagined." The author shares with us the struggles, tragic and humorous, of trying to fit into a new society. Utterly enjoyable! "
" There are so many parallels between just growing up, and growing up as a "minority." Funny, bittersweet, honest and insightful. "
" Very funny and informative. Shades of a more intelligent Adrian Mole. "
" A funny, engaging memoir that touches on cross-cultural issues in the United Kingdom during the 1970s. "
" Read this in spring 2009 for a class. Didn't like it. It had this thread running through it of 'I am more enlightened than everyone around me' which didn't then play out in his actions. "
" I thought Unimagined would be just as hilarious as Imran Ahmad's blog, but it sadly wasn't - humorous, but not hilarious. "
" Just couldn't get interested in this fellow's life "
" Pertukaran budaya antara dua negara berbeda jadi mendapatkan gambaran menyeluruh yang utuh mengenai negara yang mayoritas non muslim dihuni oleh seseorang dari negara yang mayoritas muslim. Pertentangan-pertentangan apa yang dihadapi. Seru.. "
" ZZZZZ nothing happens in this book! And i started to not care whether it did or not. "
Imran Ahmad was born in Pakistan, grew up in London, and went to university in Scotland before pursuing a corporate career that has taken him all over the world, including five years living in the United States. His career has been mainly in finance and information technology, which he knows little about, but apparently this isn’t a problem in management consulting.
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