Is There Bacon in Heaven?: A Memoir

by Ali Hassan

For fans of Russell Peters, Trevor Noah, and Mark Critch comes a hilarious debut memoir about family, pursuing our passions, and figuring out who we are, by stand-up comedian and popular CBC host, Ali Hassan.

Growing up, Ali Hassan was a chameleon. His friends came from many different backgrounds and religions—Trinidadian, Parsi, Goan, Hindu, Christian, Sikh. And as a hockey-playing, Crock-Pot–using young man who also knew the words to at least ten Blue Rodeo songs, he could blend in everywhere. But the world has a funny way of reminding you who you are, and Hassan’s Muslim Pakistani family and community did, too.

In this heartfelt and funny memoir, based on his hit stand-up comedy, Hassan shares his lifelong journey to becoming a “cultural Muslim”—learning to walk the line of embracing his heritage while following his passions and being true to himself. From failing to learn Arabic—or much of anything—in Sunday school and visiting family in Pakistan who mocked him relentlessly, to discovering the wonders of pepperoni as a teenager and being a celebrity judge at Ribfest, he finds himself in compromising situations that challenge his beliefs and identity.

Now, as a father of four, he has to answer his children’s questions and try to explain his point of view. But he can’t just “give them” an identity as a cultural Muslim. Sharing his story is the next best thing.

With the perfect blend of humour and insight, Is There Bacon in Heaven? explores the deep need to belong that exists in everyone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Canada, Biography, Autobiography

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rtc

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I know Ali Hassan, even though I know nothing of his comedy… I only know him as the host of Canada Reads these last few years… where, I have thoroughly enjoyed his work. He is smart, literate (know I know why!), compassionate, empathetic and clearly has good comedic timing - he knows when and how to lighten things up.

I enjoyed reading this book.

This is an interesting coming to terms with his identity - particularly his religious identity - and how to understand what it means to be a brown Muslim man in this world. He has some really interesting conversations and observations.

Indeed it was pretty funny that he never considered himself to be at all different - i.e. not white - until his late teens, and how slow he was to pick up on overt and covert racism. His dawning realisation of this was really powerful.

He also does a really good job of showing how we are all more similar than we are different - how the fundamentals of life, across cultures and religion, are the same… it’s “all the things we learned in kindergarten” that matter: be positive, be grateful, be kind, be merciful, be forgiving and live with love and acceptance (p221).

He also does a really good job of showing how difficult it is to navigate his own sense of himself with what others perceive him to be.

I also really enjoyed ‘watching’ how his two passions - food and comedy - are instrumental in him coming to terms with himself, his religion and his place in the world.

Looking forward to spending time with him again for Canada Reads 2023.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book thanks to a Goodreads Giveaway.

I was not familiar with Hassan before reading this book but and definitely intrigued now after reading this book. I loved how authentic and vulnerable he was while still writing with ease some really complicated subjects. He writes about the complexities of race, racism, culture, self discovery, preserving, even dealing with decades of “the room” at airports while providing laugh out loud moments. The man has lived a thousand lives.

[Cherine Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best written, funniest memoirs I’ve read.

[Amarah H-S · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick, generally light, and highly entertaining, with some insights abt religious and cultural identity sprinkled throughout.

[Maearle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light read about the fairly heavy subject of identifying with your religion, determining if you truly belong and how your beliefs and lifestyle align with that religion. Ali is a well known comedian and CBC personality and he adds just the right touch of humour to his very serious musings about his faith, his family and his life. You don’t have to be a Muslim to identify with his identity crisis.

[Arash Narchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, deeply personal read with great prose. Very much enjoyed it.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An interesting recounting of Hassan's experience growing up as a second generation Pakistani-Canadian in Montreal, then his searches for a true career and definition of his "Muslimness". It is all told with gentle humour, since it seems to be written for his 4 kids.

[Josh Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done some funny moments in the book in highly recommend!

[Emma | emmasbookishself · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Ali’s memory sharing to be funny, and serious and very wholesome. His memoir faces the struggles of finding his place within his religion, and how that shaped his experiences in Canada, as well as in other countries. I found it to be a little repetitive at times but it was worth reading.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to find a book that tickles your funny bone while…

How did the book make me feel/think?

I’ve never sat down with a Muslim friend, had a conversation, and really got to know him/her.

I’m sure I’ve sat down with a Muslim before, but I can’t say for sure—until now.

Until I sat down for two days with Ali Hassan and dove into his memoir; about bacon?

Hassan has been gifted with the uncanny ability to make you laugh on one page—and before you flip to the next, ponder about the state of humanity. I’m 62, lived my entire life in Canada, and shamefully, I don’t think I’ve ever had an Indian (brown friend).

I’m grateful to Ali for introducing me to a world within our neighbourhoods where we all crave the same things with each passing day.

I was going to list the “things,” but I decided against it just in case yours differ from mine.

Thanks, Ali; it’s rare to find a book that tickles your funny bone (I think that might be a dated reference) while ruffling the mind, and although we crave the same things, our paths are distinctly our own—hopefully leading to kindness, and understanding, if we only talked with each other, there really is no reason to hate.

I just ordered a BLT, and as I come to the last page, I will look at the world through a slightly different lens from this page forward.

WRITTEN: 3 September 2022

[Arianne Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]


“Ultimately, we are all doing things that others will consider weird. But I think the important thing is doing the hard work to just accept that about each other. And even celebrate it.”



I knew when I started reading this book, a memoir by comedian and actor Ali Hassen, that there would be some laughs. I however did not expect to be laughing out loud ever few pages. I also did not expect how much this book would have me reflecting on family, religion, and on food. 



This book was so well written and I really enjoyed how it was broken up (with the use of incredible chapter titles I should point out). The book was deeply personal but had a great balance of anecdotes which included his signature humour. I really loved that throughout the book, Ali kept bringing the story back to his kids. 

As I was reading, I could hear Ali in my head, as if he was there telling me his story.



I was lucky enough to win this ARC thanks to Simon Schuster Canada and a giveaway they hosted on Goodreads.


[Becky H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. A nice change of pace from cops and killers for me.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ali Hassan is a comic genius. His honest, profound, and self-deprecating memoir is beyond entertaining. I love how he shares his experiences with ethnic and religious identity struggles, something that is common among the children of immigrants in North America. This book taught me even more about the Muslim religion, and I am thankful for that. Furthermore, Hassan has a true passion for good food and cooking. I really would like to sample his meals, just from reading about them. It was great that he explored the issue of anti-Muslim discrimination post 9/11. I cannot even imagine how frustrating it is to be consistently chosen for "random selection" whilst travelling, and I am a woman who has experienced racism all of her life. I have heard multiple stories from my friends and acquaintances of Muslim/Middle-Eastern, etc backgrounds who endure this whenever they travel. While it hasn't happened to me, I feel their pain, because, as a visible minority, I have been the victim of discrimination countless times. This book is great, especially as a Canadian. Many of us love hockey, but we also stay true to our parents' ethnic culture if they weren't born in Canada. We are a beautiful mosaic of various people, and it's wonderful to learn from each other. Through food, language, music. I highly recommend this memoir. What a fantastic book with which to end 2022 (although I do have time to read at least one more book ;-)!!!!!!

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the memoir of foodie/comedian/CBC personality Ali Hassan who discusses his family life and aspects of his religious and cultural identity as a Canadian of Pakistani descent. I bought this book after hearing Hassan speak at the Eden Mills Writers Festival in early September 2023. He is hilarious in person, and I immediately purchased his book.

I went into this book knowing Hassan is a funny guy, but also knowing that his book is more of a memoir than a humorous story. In its 250 pages, Hassan keeps a lighter feel with his signature humour sprinkled lightly throughout as he talks about his childhood, career, and family life but he also tackles hefty topics - religion, identity, and racism. The book has a repetitive feel as we return to certain issues a few times, but I enjoyed getting a better look into the life of this funny Canadian foodie.

[Virginia Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his funny and insightful memoir, comedian and radio personality Ali Hassan looks at his struggle as a young man who determine who he was in Canada's multi-cultural world. Like a chameleon he could blend in anywhere, but his family, and the world, kept reminding him her was a Muslim Pakistani. A Muslim Pakistani who liked bacon and Blue Rodeo and failed to learn Arabic. Eventually he realizes he is a "cultural Muslim" accepting what he wants from his past and rejecting what he doesn't. For fans of Trevor Noah and a good read for all Canadians coming to understand our multicultural country.

[T Tremaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is There Bacon in Heaven - Ali Hassan - I have heard this guy on the CBC but I didnt know he was that funny. This book is laugh out loud funny. Its the funniest book I have read this year and the funniest memoir I have read too. Its well written and I am glad I picked this up in the library. This book would be an even funnier audio book and because I have been to some of the places he has mentioned and we are around the same age I think it was particularly familiar making that much more amusing.

[Craig Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Ali (I feel like we're on a first name basis after spending so much time with him) creates a warm, funny journey out of the struggle to find his identity and career. My new buddy Ali covers a wide swath of human experience including religion, racism, cultural identity and the uncomfortableness of strip clubs. The story of his career path, from failed IT guy to a successful comedian and radio host, is honest and humble. A lot of people will relate to it.

I highly recommend this book, especially for Canadians who would like to see their country through a different lens.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and thoughtful memoir from the host of "Canada Reads." I wasn't very familiar with Hassan prior to reading his memoir but that has all changed now! lol
Hassan taught me more about Islam than any textbook could. I respected his struggle to come to terms with his religious and cultural identity and I appreciate that he managed to inject humor into the tough topics of racism and discrimination.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Not sure how I ended up with this on my to be read pile, hadn't really heard of Ali Hassan. But I feel I know him now :) Funny and yet thought provoking, quite enjoyed the book. Will definitely be listening to him host this years Canada Reads. And he can come and cook me dinner anytime!

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ali Hassan delivers with his warm and funny memoir. There are laugh-out-loud moments in the book interspersed with introspection and intellect. This combination gives the book some heft and made it an enjoyable and thoughtful read.

[Wendy]

Entertaining, funny in places, sad in others. Opportunity to read about Ali's experience in finding himself. Raises my awareness of immigrants and their children and how challenging it can be to really be yourself.

[Doug Lewars · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Possible Spoilers ***

There are quite a few chuckles in this book as might be expected since the author is a comedian. In addition, he describes some of the complexities of being a Pakistani Muslim in Canada. The pacing is good. He keeps things moving right along. I recommend it.

[Tanya Rocha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only know Ali as the host of Canada Reads, but after reading his book, I’ll be sure to check out his show next time he goes on tour. I really enjoyed what he had to say. Content was down to Earth and humorous. I learned a few more things about Islam and the term “cultural Muslim/Jew/whatever”.

[Amanda Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent and one of my favorite memoirs to date. Completely readable, I found myself laughing out loud for real. I also felt it very touching and both honest and earnest. There's an endearing sweetness to this and a huge relatability. Just a lovely, perfect read.

[Olya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a memoir lite. Not so much a story of a life as musings on some aspects of that life, with very little autobiographical detail. Some refreshingly direct observations and some chuckles along the way as well.

[Santiago Oleas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir by one of my favourite comedians. It is a well written book with many touching and hilarious moments in Ali's life and career. I am grateful he shared his story.

[Alice Qi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my stand-up comedy prof!

I've found that in the few times adults have shared about their past to me, all of them have an interesting and complex story as to how they got to where they are today, and how they became who they are today.

I loved reading about Professor Ali's life (it feels wrong not to refer to him as professor), and I deeply resonated with the themes of family, culture, and belonging. Despite exploring heavier themes, the book remains light-hearted and extremely honest throughout, to the extent that it had me laughing out loud at times.

My biggest takeaway from the memoir is this: whatever thoughts/fantasies/ideas occupy the majority of your mind's real estate, is probably a good indication of what you should be spending more of your time on. Nothing else but being honest with yourself.

[Gail Sherley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant surprise. My book club selection. Ali made me laugh, gave me new insights into our Canadian cultural diversity. Very refreshing read.