F*** My Brain! is a collection of absurd and surreal stories unlike anything you've read before, especially from a Norwegian author. Whether Amir considers himself a writer, filmmaker, or stand-up comedian remains to be seen, but he certainly has many irons in the fire and numerous thoughts swirling in his head. In this book, he takes you on an unforgettable journey, humorously sharing what it's like to grow up between two cultures. Finding one's place amid such distinct cultures isn't always easy. Prepare yourself for a rare reading experience, and we can promise you one This book is anything but boring. - One of the Minds Behind the Netflix Success 'Home for Christmas'
It is a collection of surreal, absurd and amusing stories. It has brought light upon poignant and deep topics like racism, culture, religion, true crime and some riveting conversations. Some tales were good and some were not that effective.
Some of the stories I liked:
•Mustafa’s time machine has clever characters.
•Rapper has the promising beginning and the story was poignant.
•The Cleaning lady and the sofa Racist has presented the harsh reality of life.
•Musti-Man’s plot is good. It has covered topics like the life of a Refugee in Syria, God and Devil.
This Advanced Reader’s Copy was provided by BookBuzz.net via NetGalley. F*** My Brain! Will be released on May 15th, 2023.
Also, there will be SPOILERS, so I’m letting you know in case you didn’t see the spoiler tag.
F*** My Brain! by Amir Shaheen was a pretty out-there book, and I’m glad I read the synopsis before jumping in. The book is broken into three chapters, each filled with short stories ranging from 3 to 8 pages. My favorite story from Chapter 1: Brain Mush was Mustafa’s Timemachine. This could be considered a cop-out because it’s the book's first story, but it does a great job of hooking you in, and it pretty much sets you up to the insanity of the other stories. In spite of being insane, it’s well-paced and the most straight forward as well hilarious. My favorite story from Chapter 2: One Brain Cell was Taco Friday. In a collection of short stories, there are guaranteed hits or misses. Taco Friday continued the weirdness in a slump of okay stories with a punchline that elevated the story. I don’t have a favorite story from Chapter 3: Brain Damage because this chapter was shorter, and the theme of Religion produced an equal quality of shorts.
The stories are eclectic, and you never know where each story is going to go. But a lot of the stories, especially in Chapter 3, cover relations between Norway and the Muslim community. These stories were interesting and sad, but it takes the horribleness and injects humor into them, and they don’t feel like they detract from the lessons, which is surprising. Because these stories can get really weird and out there, but you understand what the author is trying to convey, which is cool. I don’t think every story is a winner, which could be because of the story's length or the joke's not being particularly funny. But when a story hits, it hits, and I find myself laughing at 5 in the morning.
Learning about a different culture and a new way of writing was interesting. I don’t think this book will be for everyone because of the surrealist and out-there humor, but it could be a lost-in-translation kind of thing. Who knows. I’d give F*** My Brain! by Amir Shaheen a 3 out of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In his book, Amir Shaheen has skillfully penned a collection of relatable stories that delve into the intricacies of identity, relationships, and cultural diversity.
Organized into three chapters, each housing a handful of poignant tales, this literary work has left an indelible mark on me.
"If Grannies Ruled the World" stands out as my personal favorite, encapsulating a blend of melancholy and humor.
The stories presented within are extraordinary and unconventional, yet the author's commitment to conveying his ideas shines through, resulting in resounding success.
Amir's writing style is not only engaging and impressive but also insightful and empathetic.
This book is remarkable for its ability to navigate through peculiar narratives while imparting meaningful lessons to its readers.
In its brevity, it manages to create a lasting impression that lingers on in the minds of those who partake in its pages.
«F*** ta hjernen min» av Amir Shaheen er en samling med humoristiske og absurde historier med en alvorlig undertone. Temaene i historiene kretser rundt rasisme, tro, nedsettende kvinnesyn og hvordan det er å vokse opp med to kulturer som muslim i Norge.
Språket i boka er friskt og lekent. Alle tekstene i boka er relativt korte og er frittstående, noe som gjør boka lettlest!
Jeg synes at denne boka var veldig morsom og rar, kanskje litt for rar og absurd noen steder, og jeg likte enkelte tekster bedre enn andre, men den var absolutt ikke kjedelig!
I'm torn on this book. On the one hand the stories are entertaining, funny and thought provoking. On the other hand some are a bit jumbled and weird. Short stories will always be hit and miss of course. There were a few that genuinely made me laugh out loud. The themes of race and religion are pretty strong and there is sex and swearing in there too. So be warned. It's not always an easy fun read. The more I read the more I liked it. I'll be thinking about it for a while.
Amir Shaheen's "F*** My Brain!" is a refreshingly honest and relatable book that explores the challenges of growing up between two cultures with humor and insight. From the very beginning, the author's engaging and lighthearted tone draws readers into his world, making it easy to connect with his experiences and emotions.
The book delves deep into themes of belonging, society, and alienation, offering a unique perspective on what it's like to be a minority in a different country. Through the author's own narratives, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and cultural differences.
What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle serious topics while maintaining a humorous approach. Shaheen's witty storytelling keeps readers entertained throughout, ensuring that the book never feels dull or heavy. The author's ability to infuse humor into his personal experiences makes the stories even more relatable and enjoyable.
Shaheen's exploration of the challenges faced by those caught between two cultures is both insightful and enlightening. He skillfully captures the conflicting emotions of wanting to fit in while preserving one's cultural roots, providing a window into the struggles and triumphs of finding one's place in a multicultural society.
Additionally, the book offers a fresh perspective on societal norms and expectations, encouraging readers to question and challenge the status quo. The author's own experiences and observations shed light on the flaws and absurdities of societal constructs, inspiring readers to embrace their uniqueness and resist conforming to societal pressures.
Amir Shaheen's background as one of the minds behind the Netflix success "Home for Christmas" is evident in his storytelling abilities. The book is beautifully written, with a seamless flow that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Shaheen's talent for crafting compelling narratives shines through, making "F*** My Brain!" an unforgettable reading experience.
In conclusion, "F*** My Brain!" is a humorous and relatable book that offers valuable insights into the challenges of growing up between two cultures. Amir Shaheen's witty storytelling and candid reflections make this book a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh and entertaining perspective on identity, belonging, and cultural diversity. Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking and hilarious journey that will leave you both entertained and enlightened.
F*** My Brain Author - Amir Shaheen Genre - satire, short stories E-book - 142 pages Rating - 5/5
I grew up watching satire in Kolkata. Be it a movie, TV series, or theatre, I can remember when I was a kid, I watched a lot of satirical Plays including Antigone, the stage show by famous actor Rudraprasad Sengupta more than 10 times on tv and I loved watching what I didn't understand though. Well, I became a fan of Rudraprasad Sengupta at a very tender age. Antigone was a tragedy that envelopes in a satirical tone, it's a different thing I know, that's how the love for sarcasm and satire sowed in my blood from the beginning. I love sarcastic take always and this one completely knocks me down with every story. Deliciously engrossing, extremely powerful sarcastic shots like thunderbolts will hit you on every page.
Ameer Shaheen is well known as the co-creator of Netflix’s “Home for Christmas.”,, this book is another venture and he successfully delivered his first book.
F*** My Brain is a very relatable, satire that is written in a refreshing striking style. He built an extremely powerful imaginary world with his vivid, lucid narratives. From sci-fi to sociology and emotional rollercoaster, the author touches every genre and brings out the skeleton of the complexities of the human world. Also, he tried to explore the experiences of being a minority in a different country. Most of the story is situated in Norway. The sarcasm is absolutely marvelous and thought-provoking. His prolific writing makes me ecstatic. I liked the engaging way he tells us every story.
The prose he used is very crispy and freshly articulated. Every story is projected in today's world by the kaleidoscope with utterly brilliant plots. Every story with its hilarious character created a riveting atmosphere that made me want to read more.
Highly recommended for those who love to read something refreshing.
This book really messed up with my head. I have read it twice now. I think I am going to read it again. It has the power to keep you wondering about it and getting back to it. "F*** My Brain" by Amir Shaheen is a mixture of multiple genres, sci-fi, romance, societal discrimination, suspense, and thriller. In this story, we time-travel to the past with Abdi and Mustafa. Mustafa, who faces racism in the present, goes back in time and makes a girl, Liv, who will become an influential rightist identity in his time, fall in love with him in just a few weeks in the hope that it might show her that black people are good and there's no need for extreme discrimination. But what transpires is a lot more than he had ever expected. It gets utterly messed up.
In the description of the book, it claims to be anything but boring, and I agree. It is anything but boring. It is a thrilling experience. It flabbergasts your brain. The writing style is quite simple but the story is pretty twisted. If you are someone who likes to read a highly imagination-based fictional story, this book is for you. I would like to highlight the clarity in this book about the need to change the norm of society is awarding.
A surreal, thought-provoking collection of stories where subtlety takes a backseat. Split into thre chapters, these stories cover a vast range of topics but really hone in on racism, religion, influencer culture and plenty of other contemporary issues, providing a unique perspective. Often this perspective is delivered via absolutely crazy characters(there are talking monkeys, aliens, all sorts), and many of the people in these stories are stylised to be extreme charactures of what the author is trying to criticse, often leading to some quite interesting insights.
Some of the stories are very good fun, but others didn't quite hit the mark for me - but I think that's mostly because humour is so subjective. I also think the style of the stories is just too direct for my personal tastes, but that's not necessarily a bad thing either!
I'd definitely recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys surreal fiction and wants a short, humorous read.
With a skillful stroke, the author illuminates profound themes encompassing religion, crime, culture, and racism.
Through the lens of eccentric characters, ranging from extraterrestrial beings to eloquent conversing primates, the narratives unfold with captivating depth.
Discovering this book has brought me immense joy, as its intelligent prose effortlessly permeates the reader's consciousness, eliciting laughter at every turn. Devotees of surreal fiction will be irresistibly drawn to its pages, while I wholeheartedly endorse it to readers of all tastes and preferences.
Immerse yourself in its captivating narrative, and behold the author's sheer brilliance that shines throughout.
Moreover, the book's cover is a striking work of art, adding to its overall appeal.
🟠This book is a compilation of short stories that is penned in a peculiar manner. The topic discussed and the underlying theme is contemporary. This makes it a relatable read.
🟠Altogether there are three chapters in this book namely: Brain Mush, One Brain Cell, Brain Damage. This book touches upon important themes like plight of women, racism, discrimination and so on. Though it is dealt in a light way, the point is driven clearly (like a satire).
🟠Honestly, it is an enjoyable read and it did make my weekend a good one. The writer has toiled to make it an interesting work - be it the narration, exchange of ideas and so on. The endings are unexpected and it is impressive to read.
🟠 Therefore, this book is recommended to those who loves to read a book with a twist.
It may only be a novella sized collection, but the stories it hides between its covers are anything but short in stature.
Divided into three parts - Brain Mush, One Brain Cell and Brain Damage, we're presented with twenty-six short stories, eclectic, poignant and somewhat powerful.
Encompassing gender, cultural diversity and religion, there's something to suit everyone's taste. Some will make you laugh out loud, others give you food for thought.
It's certainly an interesting little collection and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
"F*** My Brain!" is a wildly entertaining and thought-provoking collection of stories that will leave you laughing, gasping, and pondering the meaning of life all at once. Amir Shaheen's unique voice and perspective shine through in every page, creating a world that is both surreal and relatable. The stories touch on themes of identity, culture, and belonging, capturing the struggles of growing up between two worlds with honesty and humor. This is a book that will make you think, make you laugh, and ultimately leave you feeling inspired.
An unconventional and hilarious collection of stories by writer and comedian Amir Shaheen. These absurd and surreal tales explore themes of identity, culture, and the challenges of growing up between two worlds. With his unique blend of humor and insight, Shaheen offers a fresh perspective on the human experience and invites readers to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace the absurdity of life.
Amir is a Norwegian author and co-creator of Home for Christmas on Netflix. This book of short stories which explores themes of belonging, society, and growing up between two cultures has recently been released in English. Divided into three main chapters the stories cover a huge range of topics such time travel, racism, immigration, bullying, social media and cultural diversity. Amir’s writing grabs and keeps your attention and has you laughing out loud. It was an interesting mix of very real and surreal. I sometimes struggle with short stories but found that each felt very complete. I loved learning more about all the topics explored. Both Scandinavian and Muslim cultures are ones I find fascinating and seeing how someone from a a different background navigating a new culture is always of interest. For fans of Black Mirror. I’m definitely keen to read more by Amir and will definitely be checking out Home For Christmas.