The Sufi Surfer

by Sharif Khan

He’s looking for his higher self. He found a high-priced cult instead.

A fabulist with a flatulence problem claiming to descend from Sufi saints, Amer Fateh is an eccentric surfer dwelling in a tent in the Big Sur coastal wilderness.

While on a quest for his divine double, Amer is offered a job by the charismatic Guru Dod Sen to work at a mountaintop meditation retreat.

Amer happily accepts, unaware he’s accidentally joined a predatory cult.

In true "holy fool" fashion, he fails forward, becoming the top salesman for an elite brand of enlightenment.

But his whirling dervish dances, psychedelic trips, and weird antics turn the retreat into a circus of chaos.

Seeing big dollar signs in the goofy Sufi, the Guru is willing to overlook Amer’s farces and farts and devises a scheme to lure him deeper into the clutches of cult control.

Can a bumbling buffoon with a big heart—and even bigger social awkwardness—survive the corporate spiritual machine? Or will his search for the divine end in a very earthly disaster?

Join the journey of the mystic misfit Sufi surfer – Amer Fateh – as he unleashes a wave of mischief, chaos, and healing in a broken beach community.

Tropes & Vibes:
• Contemporary cult and corporate satire
• Irreverent humor and sharp comedy
• Holy Fool and Fish Out of Water archetypes
• Multicultural and BIPOC-led fiction
• Diverse reads and LGBTQ+ inclusive
• Found family and alternative spirituality
• Wild absurdist humor
• Bodily farce and slapstick mischief

Genres: Humor

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2026

About the author

Sharif Khan is the multi-genre author of the contemporary comedy novel, THE SUFI SURFER, epic fantasy, BRAVE FORTUNE, and the inspirational personal development book, PSYCHOLOGY OF THE HERO SOUL (profiled in Reader's Digest).

🌊 NOW AVAILABLE: Join the journey of mystic misfit Amer Fateh in THE SUFI SURFER—Amazon's #1 New Release in Literary Satire Fiction! Equal parts spiritual quest, sharp corporate satire, and laugh-out-loud comedy, this wildly original novel is now available worldwide in Kindle and paperback editions. Grab your copy on AMAZON and ride the wave of mischief! 🏄‍♂️✨

Sharif is a Toronto-based novelist, former bookseller, and a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. He has served as a Writing Workshop Facilitator for the Writers Collective of Canada and Director of the MetroActive Writers Club. As a Pakistani-Canadian writer, his rich heritage and deep interest in human development, psychology, and global philosophies helps fuel his fiction.

His five years running a brick-and-mortar bookstore in the St. Clair Centre in Toronto was an absolute masterclass in human nature, where day after day, he spoke with local readers about the narratives that gave their lives meaning.

Follow him on:

• Amazon Author Page

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• Instagram

• Facebook

Reviews

[Marcie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

😂 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗜’𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺.

How do you even review a book that spends hundreds of pages making you laugh while quietly showing you what really matters in life?

Amer is socially awkward, perpetually misunderstood, prone to digestive mishaps, and about as far from a polished spiritual guru as possible. Yet beneath all of that is a man of extraordinary kindness, humility and wisdom. I adored him.

This book made me laugh constantly, but it also left me feeling genuinely happier than when I started it. That may be the highest compliment I can give any story.

This is such a wonderfully unexpected, heartfelt book—and Amer is a character I suspect I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.

My sincere thanks to Sharif Khan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗻! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

[K.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sharif Khan seems like a talented writer, and I genuinely got an early chuckle out of this send-up of wellness retreats, cults, and corporate nonsense. While I admire the commitment to the absurdist premise, the heavy-handed flatulence and scatological humor just didn't align with my personal sensibilities, making for a somewhat unpleasant read at points.

That said, so much of this book is as progressive and dynamic as I love to see. Some of the characters have nuanced feelings and backstories that genuinely invested me, with Ayo and Karima serving as exceptionally grounding anchors. I was impressed by how deftly Khan navigated their heavy experiences while shifting back to levity without it being jarring or missing a beat. I might pick-up Brave Fortune to get a better sense of Khan as a writer.

Though I appreciated the lighter tone overall, much of my negative response(s) can be boiled down to something close to the sentiments expressed by one of the characters: "And he was so smooth and seductive - it was hilarious. I kept waiting for the punchline. You know? Like a joke, or a fart, or something." This book might appeal to those who are fine with that dynamic. It isn't for me though I recognized the duality in the writing. I wondered if the bold decision to juxtapose the lofty spiritual goals of the institute with base bodily functions was a deliberate protest against the pretext of civility or something like it. It could be an interesting tack to take, and maybe some of the symbolism went over my head, but ultimately, as someone who is easily distracted, that dynamic became a bit too much relative to the payoff.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Christine Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh, I may be pudgy, and a little fudgy, but I’m in love with meeee, and my bodacious bodeeee, and so should you be, with humanity! “Oh, I do admit, I must submit, I’m a Sufi, and a Surfer, and a Sinner.” ~ Amer Fatah

I’ve been following Sharif Khan, author of The Sufi Surfer, on LinkedIn for many years. When I learned about his new book there, it sparked my curiosity, so I bought it on Kindle.

The Sufi surfer is an accident-prone, twerking, whirling dervish, toad venom-tripping, frog-like, Pakistani-Italian man with a flatulence problem and a heart of gold. Amer Fatah professes that he comes from a long line of Italian Sufi saints. He lives in a tent on the Big Sur beach, where he sleeps on his surfboard.

We first meet Amer as he saves his soon-to-be co-worker Ayo. Ayo is a depressed Nigerian man who has lost his will to live. Thankfully, Amer stops him from taking his own life because he’s a great character. Soon after, Amer is recruited to the In-Sight Institute—a New Age spiritual organization founded by a wealthy “guru” named Dod Sen—a perfectly realized antagonist—who might just be a fraud. However, In-Sight’s founder just might be a fraud. Nevertheless, Amer becomes his top salesman.

Amer’s closest friend at the Institute is a beautiful young trans woman named Karima. Karima grew up in meditation retreats and is now the Institute’s Director of Content. They become best friends after Amer also saves her from killing herself. When he learns about her challenging history, Amer commits himself to supporting LGBTQIA rights at In-Sight.

Hijinks ensue as the cast of colourful characters expands. We meet Liban, Oscar, Barakah, and Feza, who are also searching for meaning in their lives and a way to achieve their dreams. As he embarks on his spiritual pilgrimage, Amer seeks to reunite with his divine double, Adnan.

Beneath all the absurdity, The Sufi Surfer has something sincere to say about authenticity, friendship, belonging, compassion, and personal growth. Amid the outrageous situations and cheeky humour, the novel invites readers to consider where happiness and purpose come from—and what ultimately gives our lives meaning.

The ending was a complete surprise and utterly fantastical. Moreover, this may be the most unique and farty novel I have ever read. Wildly imaginative, irreverent, and full of heart, The Sufi Surfer takes readers on a chaotic, unconventional journey through friendship, spirituality, and the search for meaning.

The Sufi Surfer has also been described as The White Lotus meets Siddhartha. It also successfully investigates the “Holy Fool” archetype in a highly corporate world.

Amer’s desire for “the world to be a more accepting and loving place, for all people” will appeal to readers, as it champions marginalized people. Moreover, the book debuted as an Amazon #1 New Release in Literary Satire Fiction across North America.

The author is excellent at setting scenes, developing characters, and pacing. However, he often describes what each character is wearing, and I’m not sure how important that is to the plot. I also found several editing errors, though they didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I would have liked to know what happened to Ayo and his girlfriend Innocent, Dod Sen, and Oscar and Liban in the end. Maybe someday we’ll find out. The Sufi Surfer was delightful all the same.

I would recommend The Sufi Surfer to anyone looking for an eclectic cast of characters who offer genuinely humorous moments. It also includes a few intentional cringe-worthy moments, along with spiritual wisdom and loving insight, for readers to enjoy.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

*note- I read this as an ARC but this review is entirely my own opinion
This was a comical read featuring BIPOC characters. The author was very descriptive which helped paint a very clear picture in my head of what was happening, but I felt it was almost TOO descriptive… there were a lot of verbs. So many verbs that it almost felt faker than it needed to be.
The plot itself was well developed and had intentions that make sense. I enjoyed getting to learn about the characters and their motives as those were quite clear.
I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a lighthearted comedy.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book from Goodreads giveaway. I actually laughed out loud when reading. The main character was awkward, but loveable. His simple way of life benefitted not only him but those close to him, Amer was full of love and acceptance towards other people. A lesson we all could benefit from.

[Leah Lannin]

This is very bizarre satirical book about a fat, sweaty farting man who is so annoyingly himself he’s likeable. The book is well written, if a little too descriptive. I never had a clue where this book was going next or what could possibly happen, because absolutely anything was possible here!
If you are looking for a book that makes fun of cults and enjoy a main character who has a tape worm he doesn’t want to rid himself of, keeps sucking on strangers feet, and cannot stop farting then this book is for you. 😆

[Carolanne Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a funny story! Very light and weird and a lot of farting lol.... it was a nice "in betwheen" reading.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

[Kira Fantov · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I really wanted to love this book but I couldn't get through it. From the description, it sounded funny, witty and charming but the poop and fart humor was just a little too much for me.

[Rise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. My notes and review are entirely my own opinion

Specific Rating: 4 Stars

Notes while reading:

What I loved:
+ It's giving Forrest Gump in a cult situation, with a bit of old sitcoms in there as well. Kind of a parody of a lot of things, both media and IRL
+ Veryyy funny, also best not to read too seriously (there are moments where you should read seriously, but for the most part, the book is just very lighthearted). I genuinely loved the idea of taking such a silly albeit good-hearted character and putting them in what would normally be classified as a "horror setting" (a cult, particularly a death cult).
+ Lots of actual, well-researched depictions of real socioeconomic situations; one major example early on has to do with LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for transgender individuals. I loved the mix of IRL issues and humour
+ Loved the descriptions of all the characters, contained an extremely diverse cast. I think there's a bit here for everyone too; there were moments where I didn't quite relate to or understand the references, but it kind of balanced out when it reached parts that I DID understand, and I'm sure it's the same for other readers as well. The book comes off as both very self-aware and socioeconomically aware, which was qutie enjoyable for me to read.
+ I really loved Amer, the whole main cast really, but Amer definitely felt like a protag I could root for. Karima was great too
+ The way Amer ended up dealing with the cult was so good, chef's kiss lol. Major plot point where everyone still managed to stay in character, even with how wacky the story got.
+ I really liked how everything also seemed to tie together at the end (somehow, with how fantastical the book tended to get). It's one of those twists that you have all the hints for, and it just comes together and makes you go "ohhhhhh" at the end.
+ Despite the weirdness, the ending still felt oddly satisfying.

Critiques?
- The fart/poop jokes felt a little... ehhh, I mean it was funny, but it became a bit too much eventually? Although I do recognize it was Amer's schtick, it did still feel like a bit too much and almost made it hard to read in places
- Certain filler parts felt a bit too nonsensical and interrupted the flow of the main story
- Maybe don't read while trying to eat lunch
- I don't think that's how tapeworms work.... (I get it's meant to be how it was written but I was just kinda ehhh not into it)
- I lovedddd the story and messages that this book brought to light, I loved reading about the main conflicts and how everything and all the mysteries tied together near the end, it just also felt like the quantity of comedy and humorous moments kind of overshadowed the main substance? I do recognize this is a comedy book so this might be a little unfair of a critique, but I know while reading, I'd like... sit up in my chair because the main conflict was developing and getting interesting. But then the chapter would end, and I'd be like "wait, but I wanted more of that..." There were parts midway through the funny moments where the joke kind of dragged and I just... got a bit bored. I wanted to learn more about the cult and wanted that storyline to progress, but the breaks between those sections felt so long, and as mentioned, the flow felt interrupted. Again though, this might just not be my cup of tea or my usual preference of book as well.

[Alan (The Lone Librarian) Teder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wacky and Wandering
A review of the NetGalley ARC of an eBook to be published August 8, 2026.

I have to give a reserved rating of 2 stars to this comedy fiction which relied too heavily on fart and poop jokes for its humour. That is just not my idea of comedy.

I really wanted to give this a more positive boost seeing as it is by a Canadian author and that it is chock full of multicultural and LGBTQ+ diversity. There were several author's tics that I found to be very distracting though and typos always break my flow in reading. Perhaps they won't matter to everyone.

Every time a character is introduced or re-enters the scene we are given a sentence or two description of what they are wearing. That may sound petty, but when they are on almost every page it starts to feel like padding in order to unnecessarily bulk up the number of words and pages to the book. Maybe I don't read that many fashion conscious books, but it really stood out to me and became irritating.

There are a probably a few hundred words and expressions in foreign languages spread throughout the book without translations. Those would be easy to look up via the built-in Translate App once the eBook is finally published, but with the ARC copy it was irritating to have to look them up off-book. These were words in Arabic, Hindi, Latin, Pashto, Spanish and Swahili to the best of my recollection. There may have been other languages as well. Some could still be understood in context as an item of clothing, a curse, a food or a religious practice or expression.

There were a few typos that I spotted which might still be correctable before the final publishing date. In case these are of any help, they were:
Chapter 25 Location 1823: "He could feel Karma's..." should be "He could feel Karima's..."
Chapter 31 Location 2535: “BLASHPEMER! I will beat you!" should be BLASPHEMER.
Chapter 31 Location 2541: “... waving his sandal in the air. “BLASPEHMER!”” should be BLASPHEMER.
Chapter 39 Location 3122: "...another carboard-and-bag-filled bus shelter..." should be cardboard.
Chapter 44 Location 3507: “... in that godawful blinding white suite?” should be suit.
Chapter 54 Location 4190: “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lighting, or in rain.” should be lightning.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Author/Publisher for the opportunity to read this preview ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a read that is vastly different, totally irreverent and full of entirely weird and whacky happenings The Sufi Surfer from Sharif Khan is the book for you.
Ayo, privileged and the top salesman at the In-Sight Institute is trying to end it all, but it is not going according to plan, as it seems to be taking longer than anticipated and there is something over in the nearby trees and bushes which is making a noise.
Amer Fateh, frog faced and body shaped, with a deep, croaking voice arrives at the window demanding to use Ayo’s ‘hookah’, telling him the ‘Shiah is Shit’, and so a read on the crazy side begins as the two men find they have something they can offer each other, friendship, well of a sort.
Working for somewhat dodgy Cult, they vie with each other to hit top sales figures, while in a very convoluted way, beginning to explore the true pathway to enlightenment; Amer the man with deep knowledge, Ayo beginning to walk a different pathway.
Filled with a variety of nonsensical bits and pieces which encourage the reader to look deeper into not only the words, but the underlying pathway the collection of misfits that are gathering together under ‘guidance' of Amerare taking, there is much to consider within the pages, which in a long and somewhat ‘barrelling’ way, as Amer is a dedicated and obsessive surfer, as well as a Sufi Mystic, leads to a more than spectacular finale.
The Sufi Surfer is a cult classic in the making and certainly not one for the fainthearted to read, as you do need a certain sense of the ridiculous to thoroughly enjoy the journey.

[Shep · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to the author and Net Galley for providing an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This is the kind of novel you can feel genuinely good about reading. It's fun and goodhearted, much like the title character. While on a spiritual quest to find his divine double, Amer has such a positive impact on the lives of those around him it's hard not to laugh and smile. There's a delightful contrast in his character, with his spiritual wisdom being grounded in such crude physicality (there's a lesson in the fart jokes, even if they seem juvenile at times!). This is set off against the polished corporate nature of the cult's spirituality in very satisfying ways.

It's not without flaws; I have never seen a grown adult chasing another grown adult in circles, and this seems to be a regular occurrence in the world Khan has created here. While there is a lesson in Amer's earthiness, the fart jokes can feel a little repetitive. There is also a bit of directionlessness to it; Amer wanders from misadventure to misadventure like a toad-like Forrest Gump looking for his divine double but without any real plan. This didn't affect my enjoyment though, as it seemed to be part and parcel of Amer's approach to the world and consistent with the differences drawn between him and someone like Guru Dod Sen.

While it won't be for everyone, if you're looking for a humorous book with plenty of diversity and LGBTQ+ representation and a positive outlook on the world, this book comes with my recommendation.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book. Here are my thoughts.
 
I liked it. I didn't love it, but I genuinely liked it. Amer is frustratingly pure and loveable despite his tendency to somehow become the center of chaos at almost every turn. All the characters are strange, but likable, which fits the book, since it's strange, but also strangely likable.
 
The author was clearly on a mission to make some waves, and I think they've succeeded with The Sufi Surfer. Its brilliance may be somewhat overshadowed by its reliance on comedic chaos, but it still leaves the reader thinking beyond the last page of the book. I think that's what books are supposed to do, they're supposed to make you question your own beliefs or your own perceptions, opening your mind's eye to other potential perspectives. (No, I have not been partaking of Amer's toad juice, although that does sound like a cool trip.)
 
I'm finding it hard to describe this book in a way that will make sense outside my head. It's not a romance, but there is a bit of a love story in it. It's not a drama, but there is quite a bit of drama within. It's not a horror story, but there are allusions to horror in these pages. You could call it a comedy, but that wouldn't be completely accurate because while it is quite hilarious at times, the heart of the book is more than comedic, it's soulful.
 
The Sufi Surfer doesn't fit into an easily identifiable box. Instead, it's riding a wave, a wave created by the author and his incredibly off-putting, but lovable lead character, Amer, The Sufi Surfer.

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sharif Khan and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

The Sufi Surfer is an absurd and divine comedy (sit down Dante, nobody was talking to you) that somehow finds space for drugs, drag, a holy fool, a pet tapeworm and enough fart jokes to make a room full of twelve-year-olds completely lose their minds. Underneath all of that, though, is a sweet, earnest story about faith, grief and acceptance.

I kept expecting the book to decide whether it wanted to be profound or ridiculous. It never did. It insisted on being both. That was the secret sauce. Every meaningful moment is undercut by something gloriously, unapologetically human. For every miracle there's a mountain of elephant dung. The sacred and the ridiculous aren't competing ideas here. They walk hand in hand.

Also, that title's not messing around. A surfer doesn't control the wave. He rides it. For all its farce, the book argues that life isn't about controlling what comes next. It's about learning to move with it instead of against it. That's the wave the whole book keeps riding.

Do yourself a favor. Leave your literary snobbery at the door. Meet this book where it is. It knows exactly what it's doing. And no, you're not too sophisticated to laugh at a fart joke. Well, ok… a lot of fart jokes. A chorus of flatulence? A fanfare of… sorry. What was I saying?

RIGHT! If nothing else, I hope this review serves as my own long, wailing fart of protest against the idea that the sacred and the ridiculous can't coexist.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amer Fateh, an eccentric surfer living in a tent in the Big Sur coastal wilderness is on a quest for his divine double. A job offer by Guru Don at a mountain sight retreat is just what he needed and Amer happily accepts, unaware he just joined a cult… and the journey commences for this mystic misfit Sufi surfer…

My thoughts:

Honestly this story was not for me, I simply couldn’t get into it. It is said to be some kind of comedy but I couldn’t see the humour at all, or was it my state of mind wasn’t into it. I really don’t have a great sense of humour I suppose. To make reading difficult there are too many words and expressions in foreign language spread throughout without no translation, that didn’t help to keep my mind to stay with it....This story is heavily focussed on fart and poop jokes, is that funny?

This story is the wackiest and wandering one I ever read. Didn’t like the story nor the characters….end of my thoughts….please forgive me Mr. Khan.

I may not have liked this story but maybe you will so don’t take my words for it, judge for yourself.

My thanks to the author for this ARC

[Whatithinkaboutthisbook · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sufi Surfer by Sharif Khan

An eccentric Sufi surfer, Amer, is on a quest to find his divine double, when he is offered a sales job at a mountain top mediation retreat. Surprisingly, his unconventional antics make him the organizations top performer, prompting the Guru to figure out how to profit from his newest recruit.

Filled with a diverse cast of characters with LGBTQIA representation, this satirical story explores the commercialization of spirituality and the predatory practices used to ensnare members. Amer is an utterly unique character: socially awkward, naive, endearing, spirituality astute and wise. He charms both the reader and other characters with his compassion while his comedic absurdity adds humour.

Although the novel is entertaining and has laugh out loud moments, the over the top characters and the slapstick comedy were a little too much for my taste, think frequent fart jokes. While the humour missed the mark at times for me, I think this story will find an audience who appreciates this style of wacky comedy.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, albeit a little unorthodox, thought provoking read. The story’s a little over the top but Sharif Khan writes really well. His descriptive writing creates amazing visuals. The characters are each quite unique and interesting. The humour, with a side of sarcasm, at times is just silly but it all works.
In the acknowledgments, Sharif Khan comments on being reminded about how a few simple words of comfort and encouragement can make a difference in someone’s day, and how a kind word can even possibly change the trajectory of a person’s life. He’s succeeded in weaving that valuable message in this story for everyone, irregardless of their denomination of worship. People are People! I think everyone would benefit from being touched /witness to Sufi Surfer Amer’s unique approach to life. Although not my usual genre choice, I enjoyed it.
Thank You to NetGalley and Sharif Khan for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Richard Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amer Fateh is basically a homeless person living at the beach. An employee, Ayo, from the Institute reaches out and befriends Amer when he realizes he is living in a tent and working at the Institute, while attaining lead sales person status, in direct contention with Ayo. Amer one by one wins over most people that come in contact with him, creating a diverse circle of friends.
I enjoyed the friendships that Amer has instinctively cultivated and how they support each other through the various ordeals they must face collectively and individually. While Amer is winning over his friends he is winning us, the audience over as well.
I enjoyed the novel despite the flatulence and twerking that epitomized Amer on an ongoing basis. I am always happy to read a novel by a fellow Canadian.
4 out of 5 stars!

[Marilyn Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this novel is not my cup of tea. A bit too light, a bit too superficial depiction of characters, and a bit too much of the flatulence jokes.
But on the positive side, the timing seemed well placed most of the time , both in dialog and shift in setting.
There is a bit if engagement with “woke” pretentiousness, when K mentions that Amer is the token brown one, Amoy is the token black, and she is the token trans person. This seems to be an underlying theme in the novel, which I find admirable.
But still this is too slapstick in the humor department for me, with none of the characters winning my heart.
If you are interested in humorous takes, with exotic locale, and a take down of the cult/ meditation/ wellness industry, this might suit you as a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Goodreads for an Arc in exchange for an honest review,

[Ty Maynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly such an odd story - This book was humorous and interesting, it captured my attention with its oddities. Some of the spiritual concepts did confuse me slightly but not enough that I had no clue what was happening. As for the writing it was relatively engaging and enjoyable. Amer's character was a goofy misfit, I truthfully had no idea what he would do next.

I did feel a slight whip lash at certain parts trying to understand the switch of scenes and some of the characters motivations but overall I had a decent experience with our unusual main character throughout the books progression.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author Sharif for granting me access to the ARC in exchange for a honest review! Much thanks.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely one of the most unique books I've read in a while. It was quirky, weird, and completely different from anything I normally pick up. I liked the messages about kindness, purpose, and looking at life differently, but the humor just wasn't always for me. Some of it felt a little too over-the-top, and the philosophical conversations slowed the story down at times. I can definitely see this finding the right audience, especially if you enjoy offbeat stories with spiritual themes. It wasn't a bad book by any means—it just wasn't the best fit for my reading taste. I'm still glad I stepped outside my usual thriller comfort zone because it gave me something completely different.

[Angela · Rating 1.5 out of 5]

thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

I'm not going to lie, maybe I'm just not in the right headspace for this book right now. I tried to get into it, but for some reason I found a lot of the humour not all that funny (to me anyways). I couldn't get into the flow of Khan's writing style and wasn't overly fond of the characters - though I did appreciate the diversity in his characters and some of the settings were described fairly well.

Perhaps I'll give it another go in the future - I have no doubt there is an audience for this, and I hope this book finds its people.

#netgalley #arc #thesufisurfer

[Jonesy.Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly absurd. Not at all what I expected after seeing it compared to the Alchemist. It is full of diverse characters, which I loved.
A storyline that takes the reader on an entirely unpredictable adventure. I was curious to find out where things would go and what the final outcome would be. However, the humour and comedy it describes in the blurb is essentially just unending fart and poop jokes, which is a little too junior high for me. I found they got really old, really fast. But if that's your thing you will probably really enjoy this.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this book on my phone,it was interesting and weird. No matter how old you are fart jokes are funny. This book was funny and weird. Amer is looking for his divine double, his twin brother. During his travels he saves people and makes friends. He is a weird little man who always seems to get into trouble. I really liked the ending, it did not end as I thought it would. This is a story about the people he helps and the ones he reveals as bad guys. A good read. I received a free book from NetGalley and the views and opinions are my own.

[Russeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

This is a light hearted comedic journey into the interconnection of corporate and spiritual realms. The level of humour is adolescent (the fart jokes span every chapter, and the sexual focus is exuberant). Amer, the unlikely protagonist, says the most ridiculous things, that keeps the reader on their toes.
Definitely a fun and easy read, great for summer reading.

[Kristina K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

I was excited to receive a copy of this novel, it seemed like a very interesting read. The novel started off well, many different interesting, diverse characters. The author did a great job describing the setting, creating many realistic visuals.
I did not connect with the storyline and found the humour to fall flat many times. Just wasn't the book for me.

[Amy Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


This book was unexpected and bizarre but also human and intriguing. Love the ways humor was brought out