Good Reads / Community Library Notes
A Good Country
Laleh Khadivi
Review by Priscilla Comen
A Good Country
Laleh Khadivi
Review by Priscilla Comen
A Good Country by Laleh Khadivi is a coming of age story of a young boy, the American born son of Iranian immigrants. His father is very strict, believes in truth and obedience, and the greatness of this country that has accepted him. Rez, his son, begins as an invisible person at school, but soon becomes a surfing “dude.” He hangs out with the Apostles who surf every chance they get. When he suggests they go to Mexico to surf, they all go for the idea. They borrow a truck from a friend, get several boards, and fake permission slips to get out of school. While they are out in the waves below Tijuana, their truck’s tires are slashed, their extra boards and wallets are stolen.
They have no money, no wheels, no gas. Rez must call his father collect, and ask him for help. Father takes him to the desert and beats him; afterward he apologizes. He should have had more self-control. Rez becomes a model student and eventually graduates with honors. He makes his parents proud. He meets other students, a special one, Arash, also from the Middle East, who takes Rez to a mosque to hear a famous Imam.
Fatima, Rez’ new girlfriend, goes with them, but sits on the women’s side. Author Khadivi creates a real person in this young boy about to become a man. She helps the reader to see how his values change as he grows older, and how he experiences new situations. One day, terrorists attack a mall near his house and eighty-three people are killed. His life changes completely. When he graduates, his father gives him a gift of a trip to Indonesia to surf. This gift includes airline tickets, credit card, etc. Rez loves it there, feels relaxed with his friend Matthew, and finds himself in a mosque, befriended by other Muslims who welcome him.
When he returns to the U.S. to Laguna Beach, he is spat upon, given suspicious stares, and feels like the enemy, although he is not an Arab. The bombing at the mall has made everyone angry. Rez and Fatima decide to embrace Allah, to go to Syria. They tell their parents they are off to college. Do the parents know their children are lying? What will happen as they try to cross the borders? Will they succeed in crossing over to their goal of one God, Allah? Author Khadivi has received many awards and worked as a director, producer, and cinematographer. Find this moving story on the new fiction shelf of the Mendocino Community Library.
They have no money, no wheels, no gas. Rez must call his father collect, and ask him for help. Father takes him to the desert and beats him; afterward he apologizes. He should have had more self-control. Rez becomes a model student and eventually graduates with honors. He makes his parents proud. He meets other students, a special one, Arash, also from the Middle East, who takes Rez to a mosque to hear a famous Imam.
Fatima, Rez’ new girlfriend, goes with them, but sits on the women’s side. Author Khadivi creates a real person in this young boy about to become a man. She helps the reader to see how his values change as he grows older, and how he experiences new situations. One day, terrorists attack a mall near his house and eighty-three people are killed. His life changes completely. When he graduates, his father gives him a gift of a trip to Indonesia to surf. This gift includes airline tickets, credit card, etc. Rez loves it there, feels relaxed with his friend Matthew, and finds himself in a mosque, befriended by other Muslims who welcome him.
When he returns to the U.S. to Laguna Beach, he is spat upon, given suspicious stares, and feels like the enemy, although he is not an Arab. The bombing at the mall has made everyone angry. Rez and Fatima decide to embrace Allah, to go to Syria. They tell their parents they are off to college. Do the parents know their children are lying? What will happen as they try to cross the borders? Will they succeed in crossing over to their goal of one God, Allah? Author Khadivi has received many awards and worked as a director, producer, and cinematographer. Find this moving story on the new fiction shelf of the Mendocino Community Library.