Good Muslim Boy
Osamah Sami
May 2015 · Hardie Grant Books
5.0star
4 reviewsreport
Ebook
320
Pages
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About this ebook
Good Muslim Boy tells the story of Osamah Sami’s journey from Iran during the Iraq war to the suburbs of Australia and his quest to fit into his new life whilst trying to stay a good Muslim boy.
In turns comic and tragic, Osamah’s story explores the universal truths of growing up, falling in love, marriage, family and following one's dream; whilst also telling the immigrant’s story of straddling two cultures and the difficult expectations of family and faith versus fitting in.
Osamah begins by recounting his youth under Islamic rule in Iran: the mischievous antics that he and his friends would get up to, and the lengths they would go to for a little contact with girls – resulting in hilarious reprimands from the ‘Piety Police’. But the inescapable impacts of war are never far away and Osmah details the trauma his family suffered from the violence in Iran and their desperation to reach safer shores in Australia.
Cut to Australia years later where Osamah is pretending to attend university after lying to his family about his final high school results, afraid of the shame it will it cause to learn that their son didn’t make it into medical school. While embroiled in his lie, Osamah meets the girl of his dreams – but as neither of their parents would approve of their relationship, they must carry out their affair in secret...
What ensues must be read to be believed, an arranged marriage is escaped; true love is embraced; and an acting career evolves, as Osamah goes on the road staging a show entitled ‘Saddam The Musical’.
With a distinct authorial voice, Osamah Sami’s A Good Muslim Boy unfolds and enchants us; both funny and entertaining, we are enlightened, shocked, saddened, made to laugh, and ultimately uplifted in a tale that couldn’t come at a more prescient time.
In turns comic and tragic, Osamah’s story explores the universal truths of growing up, falling in love, marriage, family and following one's dream; whilst also telling the immigrant’s story of straddling two cultures and the difficult expectations of family and faith versus fitting in.
Osamah begins by recounting his youth under Islamic rule in Iran: the mischievous antics that he and his friends would get up to, and the lengths they would go to for a little contact with girls – resulting in hilarious reprimands from the ‘Piety Police’. But the inescapable impacts of war are never far away and Osmah details the trauma his family suffered from the violence in Iran and their desperation to reach safer shores in Australia.
Cut to Australia years later where Osamah is pretending to attend university after lying to his family about his final high school results, afraid of the shame it will it cause to learn that their son didn’t make it into medical school. While embroiled in his lie, Osamah meets the girl of his dreams – but as neither of their parents would approve of their relationship, they must carry out their affair in secret...
What ensues must be read to be believed, an arranged marriage is escaped; true love is embraced; and an acting career evolves, as Osamah goes on the road staging a show entitled ‘Saddam The Musical’.
With a distinct authorial voice, Osamah Sami’s A Good Muslim Boy unfolds and enchants us; both funny and entertaining, we are enlightened, shocked, saddened, made to laugh, and ultimately uplifted in a tale that couldn’t come at a more prescient time.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
4 reviews
About the author
Osamah Sami is an Australian actor and screenwriter, born in Iran to Iraqi parents. As a young teen, he studied Arts at Kanoon Pavaresh Fekri - Iran's leading arts development institute. He then appeared in two Iranian features before emigrating with his family to Australia in 1995. Osamah finished his training at the Australian Film and Televlsion Academy and has a long list of film, TV and theatre credits to his name including lead roles in the award-winning films, "Saved" (dir. Tony Ayres and starring Claudia Karvan) and "Eliminated" (dir. Dee McLachlan). He has appeared in numerous TV series including City Homicide, East West 101, Sea Patrol, Rush. As a playwright and screenwriter, he has written a number of stage shows (including a musical) as well as writing a TV series and developing several feature films. He has co-written a screenplay with leading screenwriter, Andrew Knight for a feature film based on part of Osamah's life, called Ali's Wedding (dir. Wayne Blair and produced by Tony Ayres).
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