This section of Daniel Nayeri’s novel included a lot of . . . well . . . poop. So on this week’s episode David, Heidi, and Sean discuss how Nayeri manages to make that topic funny and sad and profound all at once. Plus: the book’s great respect for the narrator’s mother. As always, happy listening!
I think the poop stories are funny because they cut so close to the truth, and like he says, everyone has to deal with it. And perhaps you haven’t been in the same situations but you can imagine it or it parallels an experience you’ve had in a different scenario. It builds empathy. To juxtapose the stories of his mother is to take that empathy and challenge it in such a way to make reader say, “could I make these hard decisions, could I act so bold, could I give it all away?”
Tangentially, I read a reflection on the parable of the clever servant (the one who is about to be fired and marks down the bills of everyone who owes his master in order to gain employment with them afterwards) and how being concerned with succeeding in this world is to focusing on accruing the riches or honors of the world, what St Paul says “I count as all but loss.” Nayeri’s mother could have saved the family and way of life, and would have denied Jesus. She chose the true riches instead of the dust riches. It takes an exceptional person to make that leap at such a cost. Nayeri entrances us was his relatable poop war stories and then whispers with great pride and awe the strength of his mother.
I’m wondering if there is ANYONE who has started this book and doesn’t love it. I feel like this is a universal “2-thumbs-up” book, and I’m recommending it to everyone I know. What’s not to love? Anything?
I did not love it in the beginning but don't want to leave it now!
I wonder if young people who read this will Question The rollicking scene where he Must get used to the toilet in Kyle's house. Will they wonder if he had been using The toilets in school? He does At least mention the"Bathrooms" there, However Before page 231. Maybe a question of Suspending disbelief?
He said he always held it up until then, and this was the first time he had to spend the night at someone’s house, AND he was having tummy problems 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can't help but think Nayeri is juxtaposing the poop stories with the moment the proverbial stuff hits the fan (his mother's conversion, the fatwa, all the consequences that lead to leaving Iran and eventually getting to Oklahoma). Which is brilliant.
Would it be too much trouble for you to post the ending sentence of each section (for audiobook listeners, who don’t have page numbers)? Would be much appreciated! 🙂
Through the page 231 reading, The specified Sentence would be "But If they were accidents, then it was like putting a jigsaw puzzle into a tumble dryer And having it come out with all the pieces in the right place."
Please excuse the Superfluous capitalizations due To dictation Software errors.
I think the poop stories are funny because they cut so close to the truth, and like he says, everyone has to deal with it. And perhaps you haven’t been in the same situations but you can imagine it or it parallels an experience you’ve had in a different scenario. It builds empathy. To juxtapose the stories of his mother is to take that empathy and challenge it in such a way to make reader say, “could I make these hard decisions, could I act so bold, could I give it all away?”
Tangentially, I read a reflection on the parable of the clever servant (the one who is about to be fired and marks down the bills of everyone who owes his master in order to gain employment with them afterwards) and how being concerned with succeeding in this world is to focusing on accruing the riches or honors of the world, what St Paul says “I count as all but loss.” Nayeri’s mother could have saved the family and way of life, and would have denied Jesus. She chose the true riches instead of the dust riches. It takes an exceptional person to make that leap at such a cost. Nayeri entrances us was his relatable poop war stories and then whispers with great pride and awe the strength of his mother.
I’m wondering if there is ANYONE who has started this book and doesn’t love it. I feel like this is a universal “2-thumbs-up” book, and I’m recommending it to everyone I know. What’s not to love? Anything?
I’m in the same boat! I’ve recommended it to complete strangers & given copies to good friends. I just love it!
I did not love it in the beginning but don't want to leave it now!
I wonder if young people who read this will Question The rollicking scene where he Must get used to the toilet in Kyle's house. Will they wonder if he had been using The toilets in school? He does At least mention the"Bathrooms" there, However Before page 231. Maybe a question of Suspending disbelief?
He said he always held it up until then, and this was the first time he had to spend the night at someone’s house, AND he was having tummy problems 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can't help but think Nayeri is juxtaposing the poop stories with the moment the proverbial stuff hits the fan (his mother's conversion, the fatwa, all the consequences that lead to leaving Iran and eventually getting to Oklahoma). Which is brilliant.
Would it be too much trouble for you to post the ending sentence of each section (for audiobook listeners, who don’t have page numbers)? Would be much appreciated! 🙂
Through the page 231 reading, The specified Sentence would be "But If they were accidents, then it was like putting a jigsaw puzzle into a tumble dryer And having it come out with all the pieces in the right place."
Please excuse the Superfluous capitalizations due To dictation Software errors.
Thanks so much!