Kandahar Cockney : A Tale of Two Worlds

by James Fergusson

The remarkable and touching story of a singular friendship between the author (an affluent Western correspondent) and his Pashtun interpreter who meet in an Afghan war-zone and resume their friendship when Mir becomes an asylum seeker in London's East End. In the spring of 1997, James Fergusson, a young freelance British correspondent, encounters a local Pashtun interpreter named Mir in rebel-controlled Afghanistan. They soon become firm friends, with Mir an invaluable guide not only to the battle zone, but to the country's complex politics, culture and traditions. Not long after James's return home, Mir and his family are forced to flee Afghanistan, fearing for their lives. When Mir arrives in London seeking asylum, it is to James that he turns for help. Now their roles the guided becomes the guide as James introduces Mir to the bewildering customs of the infidel West. Yet in many ways it is Mir who remains the guide - this time to a side of his own homeland that James had never noticed or engaged with before. He discovers whole communities of Afghans scattered throughout London, and the shadow economy in which asylum seekers are forced to work. He accompanies Mir through the labyrinthine asylum system, with its endless round of tribunals, appeals, delays and disappointments; and introduces him to the important things in life like Tesco's, bank holiday weekends and the seaside. James Fergusson's moving and remarkable portrait of a singular friendship gives a human face to one of the most tangled and emotive issues of our time. Powerfully evoking the no-man's land between the Third and the First Worlds, between Islam and the West, 'Kandahar Cockney' also places a very contemporary story in a greater historical context, showing how surprisingly enduring the legacy of Britain's colonial era really is.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Isabelle KLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading. I enjoyed this book very much. This friendship story between James, the English journalist and young Mir, his Afghan fixer and interpreter, is full of constantly renewed interest, almost a page turner, and even gripping at some moments.

It tells us that despite the gap between West and East, and their different cultural, economical and religious values, a true and sincere relationship can exist and even last between a Westerner and an Afghan young man, forced to flee to London, to survive and adjust to this alien society, but prone to coming back to his homeland if necessary to guide his English friend in the difficult aftermath of 9/11 and the arrival of US and UK forces in Afghanistan.

Openness, empathy, mutual attention don't prevent them from any misunderstanding, but they just laugh at it, with lots of good faith and trust. We enjoy the story of James staying in Mir's family home in Peshawar and how there is a true human encounter between him and Mir's father, a respected coranic judge. We suffer during Gulabuddin's trial - a true ordeal - because of the bias and prejudices which remain too strong in some minds.

Although this story takes place between 1997 and 2002, you'll enjoy the relaxed and also shrewd style of the book, easy going but very far reaching in the end. The author is not naive at all and his excellent knowledge of the Afghan background makes the book even more interesting. I recommend it to anybody wanting to know more about Afghanistan's culture and recent history, as well as English legacy in the region.

[ERIC PECHINOT · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I have been striking up a friendship with a young Afghan refugee, I can't but be touched and heartened by this true story. Two people can be worlds apart, yet the clash of culture is in the end not so difficult to overcome, provided they are patient, understanding and caring and they have all the while the ability to keep in mind that there is not a unique way to approach life.
At a time when heated public debate is making people at loggerheads over migrants and small boats, this book is mostly relevant. It conveys a balanced view, far from dream land but very close to the reality of our global world beset with piling harrowing tragedies. If we feel as individuals that we can't do much to alter the course of events in the great scheme of things on the contrary, on a human scale, compassion and respect will soon do the newcomer the world of good (if I may say so!) to the mutual benefit of the host. My personal experience bears witness to it. So yes, definitely a good read! Thank you, Mr Fergusson!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

thoroughly good and interesting story about an Afghan, and his family, and their relationship with the UK. It's good, but the Guardianista tendencies of the writer keep breaking through. But it's true, in the sense that the world of illegal minicabbers and grocery shops and phone unblockers in London are true.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book and interesting read

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mir, an Afghan refugee, seeks asylum in the UK. This book chronicles his experience (along with two other family members) as they build new lives in the United Kingdom. Interesting account of the immigration experience.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This stoy is of an Afghanistan interpreter who comes to London to find a life for himself. It is a true story and an interesting one.