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  • The Boy with the Topknot

  • By: Sathnam Sanghera
  • Narrated by: Assad Zaman
  • Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (114 ratings)
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The Boy with the Topknot cover art

The Boy with the Topknot

By: Sathnam Sanghera
Narrated by: Assad Zaman
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Summary

For Sathnam Sanghera, growing up in Wolverhampton in the '80s was a confusing business. On the one hand, these were the heady days of George Michael mixtapes, Dallas on TV and, if he was lucky, the occasional Bounty Bar. There was his family, whose strange and often difficult behaviour he took for granted until, at the age of 24, Sathnam made a discovery that changed everything he ever thought he knew about them.

©2008 Sathnam Sanghera (P)2017 W.F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about The Boy with the Topknot

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting glimpse into Anglo-Sikh culture

I loved this book which is the true story of how the author learnt about his family’s history after they moved from India to Wolverhampton in the 1970’s. Sanghera tells how, as a young boy who was born and raised in the UK he, at first, misunderstood many of his mother’s beliefs and the Sikh ways of living. He has a great sense of loyalty to his parents which makes it very difficult for him to explain to them that he does not want to be part of a traditional Sikh arranged marriage. In the process of trying to understand his family he realises that all is not well with his father who, Sanghera eventually discovers, is suffering from schizophrenia.
He decides to write the story of his family and in the process of researching this discovers many more family secrets. What I particularly enjoyed was the story of his mother who turns out to be a true heroine of the quiet and, until now, unsung type.
I listen to the audio version of this and was very impressed with the narrator who had a lovely, gentle west midland accent. This along with the way that the pace of the story picked up as the author found himself in every deeper intrigues made it both enjoyable and fascinating.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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they way in which its read could be improved

only wished the punjabi words were pronounced properly as it became too much of a distraction

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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learned about 2 subjects while enjoying the book

loved it. didn't want it to end. learned about cultural issues as well as schizophrenia. the writing was engaging and the delivery perfect. highly recommend.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gives brilliant insight into psychosis

A brilliant insight into family life with Schizophrenia, so much felt familiar dispite cultural differences.

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1 person found this helpful

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Superb narration

Have read this before but thought I would listen to it on Audible. Enjoyed it nearly as much, if only Audible had images of his family like the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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absolutely brilliant

I loved this book, for so many reasons. it reaffirmed feelings I have had my whole life, made me realise I wasn't alone in feeling all that I did and to allow me to see my parents as more than just parents, but people who had lives before their kids arrived on the scene. As a Muslim Jatt with Sikh ancestors, so much of this resonated. Thank you Sathnam, for telling our story and that of our people

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Excellent

Excellent book. Beautifully written and really well read. I don’t know how I missed this when it first came out or when the film came out. I literally couldn’t put the book down. I’m so glad I’ve read this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Such a wonderful read

Was recommended this and initially had no idea how it would delve into mental health in such an informative and emotional way.
Love this book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful story

Absolutely love the story - it's witty, sharp, emotionally so astute & moving while still light-hearted. The narrator felt a little disconnected from the story which was a shame, but top marks for the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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wow

I have so many feelings with regards to this book.
Beautifully written.
l love it.

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