Tune Fish And Salad Forks
(Arraha Sindalish)
Tuna Fish and Salad Forks, by Arraha Sindalish, is a masterpiece of a social commentary. The story is purportedly auto-biographical as it features a Persian man attempting to become incorporated into American culture. It does not have the same preachy sort of tone that many pieces on ethnic diversity seem to take on when discussing American life. Instead, it follows the comedic adventures of Baback and his very white bred neighbor, Jack Schiffer, in a farming community of North Carolina, called Southern Alamance. In fact, Baback had been attempting to move to New York but all of his luggage and furniture got accidentally shipped to North Carolina. After several days of poor communication with locals and a few misadventures involving sleeping cows and souped-up tractors, Baback Batmanghelidj decides that he could get used to Southern farm life. In turn, he teaches Jack about his own Persian culture and about how Iran is not composed of terrorists and rug makers. Baback shares the mystery of hashish with Jack, who in turn imparts the wisdom of whisky (since alcohol is banned in Iran). These crazy, late nights give the reader plenty not only to think about, but also to laugh about. All racism is thrown off, stereotypes knocked down, and quite a few substances consumed. Jack shows Baback that not all of the American South is full of hicks, rednecks, and racists (although the chapter about the Ku Klux Klan is not to be missed). I would not recommend that the reader take this work too seriously: it is not about mocking itself and would be best devoured by the pool with a beer or two. And don?t forget the tuna fish. I would also recommend this to any college-level English classes looking to broaden their world view without stepping out of their comfort zone.
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