20 ratings | 1 review | avg rating:4.45

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Farah Damji

Goodreads author profile

born

October 09, 1966 in Kampala, Uganda

gender

female

website

http://www.try-me-the-book.com

genre

Biographies & Memoirs

influences

Naipaul, Coetzee, Dinesen, French, Rimbaud

member since

April 2009

About this author

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Long before she went to prison for perverting the course of justice and theft, Farah Damji was making waves by being a coloured woman, living an anti-coloured woman's life. Through her journalism for mainstream and ethnic media, she became well-known known as the voice of dissent. Farah was amongst the first to denounce multiculturalism for being a gravy-train sham. She stated in 2002 that it was ultimately divisive and vociferously denounced the plethora of self-serving ethnic media awards that sprouted like mushrooms, along with Asian Rich Lists and Achievement Awards. Before that, she lived the New York socialite's dream as an art-dealer with access to all the "right" people in Manhattan's high society. Supporting roles are played by fri...more Long before she went to prison for perverting the course of justice and theft, Farah Damji was making waves by being a coloured woman, living an anti-coloured woman's life. Through her journalism for mainstream and ethnic media, she became well-known known as the voice of dissent. Farah was amongst the first to denounce multiculturalism for being a gravy-train sham. She stated in 2002 that it was ultimately divisive and vociferously denounced the plethora of self-serving ethnic media awards that sprouted like mushrooms, along with Asian Rich Lists and Achievement Awards. Before that, she lived the New York socialite's dream as an art-dealer with access to all the "right" people in Manhattan's high society. Supporting roles are played by friends, such grandees as celebrity paprazzo Peter Beard and the first Million Dollar model, Margot Hemmingway. Farah tells in unnerving and enticing detail of the intersection of power, wealth and depravity.

Farah's story is of a journey that starts in Africa, comes to London, travels to New York, and finds some answers in India. A fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the lives of the rich and the priviledged and what happens when money, sex and power just aren't enough. She spills secrets from the peaks of New York society in the 80s and 90s, and tells the brazen truth about London media-luvvie life in the naughty Noughties. Names are named, tears will be shed. Farah has kept e-mail correspondence from some of the other characters in the book, which authenticate her version of events - very different from that which was widely published.

Renowned for her much publicized affairs, front-page convictions and for famously blogging about absconding from Downview prison, Farah has remained a controversial figure. Driven by an old urge to self-annihilate, in Try Me Farah is brutally honest about her search through sex, men, bad relationships, drugs and by creating chaos.

Through the mess and by pulling it all down to Ground Zero over several incarnations, Farah has finally found an authentic sense of self. Now, in her own voice, Farah tells the stories which became fodder for the tabloid and mainstream press for years, as they happened, to her. It has been noted Farah sabotaged her own efforts; she seemed to declare that even self-destruction was her own prerogative, since self-destructiveness is the final assertion of absolute individuality. In doing so, she demonstrates that both white and coloured remain imprisoned in public, antiquated definitions of who we must be as individuals. As such, her narrative has the power to set everyone free everywhere. Male. Female. Non-criminal.

“It is about redemption and finding a space where I could fit, my definition of me, not one prescribed by other people, particularly men, in my life." It’s part Twenty-First century cautionary tale but it’s also a story that transcends cultural boundaries and national borders. It’s every person's voyage to meet himself and look in the mirror and say, ‘Hello, I like you.’

This is the first book by an Asian woman, or indeed any contemporary female writer, which spans the painful journey home, and addresses taboo issues such as sex, relationships and the British media in a stark, truthful way. Nothing is taboo. After having served a 21-month prison sentence Farah Damji reveals her truth in this provocative autobiography. Some of the author's royalties will benefit Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi which helps over 400 000 underprivileged children a year in the world's poorest country.

Farah now lives in Westminster, London and has an ethical fashion company

http://www.moksasurya.com (less)

1 post
Farah Damji's Blog

It's been an interesting week in book-land

The book launch is about three weeks away, no idea where it will be just yet, just that I don't want to do the traditional "done thing" of sitting at a table and reading from my book, then signing multiple copies while I pretend to be interested in a bunch of random people. All I do know is that cases of vodka have been secured. What else do we need guys?

That sounds terrible. I am interested,... read more »

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Published on June 14, 2009 14:01 • 335 views • Tags: arcati, book, farah, interviews, launch, madame

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Books by Farah Damji

Average rating: 2.80 · 5 ratings · 4 reviews · 1 distinct work

Try Me

2.80 avg rating — 5 ratings — 3 editions

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Farah is Currently Reading

Farah Damji gave

to:

A Bend in the River

by V.S. Naipaul

bookshelves: currently-reading

My rating:

Jun 13, 2009 01:46am

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Farah's Recent Updates

Farah Damji is now friends with Jason

Sep 06, 2011 01:16pm

Farah Damji said "yes" to attending the event: Celebrity Reading of Try Me

date: December 16, 2009 06:30PM
location: The Lamb, Lambs Conduit Street, London, The United Kingdom
description: Cheerleadered! are pleased to announce a book reading of Farah Damji's notorious book TRY ME, featuring a star-studded cast of celebrity readers and Farah!

Come for a glass of wine and to be shocked, appalled and visibly entertained. All for a good cause 50% of the book sales from the event will be donated to

http://www.restlessbeings.org/

Reviews of Try Me:

"At last an immigrant autobiography without a mission to complain.
A fresh and fearless voice"
Farrukh Dhondy, author of Bombay Duck and Adultery...more

Dec 11, 2009 06:11am

Farah Damji took the Never-Ending Book Quiz