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Children of Dust: A Memoir of Pakistan

3.33 of 5 stars 3.33 · rating details · 222 ratings · 46 reviews

Ali Eteraz's Children of Dust is a spellbinding portrayal of a life that few Americans can imagine. From his schooling in a madrassa in Pakistan to his teenage years as a Muslim American in the Bible Belt, and back to Pakistan to find a pious Muslim wife, this lyrical, penetrating saga from a brilliant new literary voice captures the heart of our universal quest for identi...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by HarperOne (first published January 1st 2009)

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Oct 13, 2009 Sarah Keliher rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read2009, bestof2009

Normally, I'm opposed to young people writing memoirs, just on principle. Children of Dust shamed me. I was wrong to judge. It is so, so good: a remarkable story told with skill and charm, and uplifting in the best possible way.

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Mar 24, 2013 Irving Karchmar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, i-love-these-books

Ali Eteraz is a thoughtful, intelligent, and at times, bitingly funny writer. His very popular, now defunct blog, in which he wrote both comic and serious essays about Pakistani politics, Islamic sexuality, and extremist militancy, led to his eventually becoming a contributor to The Guardian UK and writing articles for such mainstream venues as Dissent, Foreign Policy, and The Huffington Post.

In Children of Dust: A Memoir of Pakistan, Eteraz reveals his true gifts as a storyteller. It is a delig...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Abbe added it

Shelves: in-library

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Nov 20, 2010 Aneesah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I would definitely get another book of Ali Eteraz if and only if he decides to write a book on non religion subject. Story begins with Ali’s childhood in Pakistan with a lot of ingenious humor which I extensively connected with and recalled many similar occasions as a child who grew up in a Muslim country. The subject becomes heavy when Ali grew up and moved to US with his family. His opinion and views about Islam at his teenage years, is something most Muslim teenagers would comprehend. I am af...more

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Jun 30, 2010 Nathan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: franklin-library

This isn't a memoir of Pakistan; it's the journey of a boy from religious orthodoxy to unbelief to zealotry to moderate universalism. With the cluttered, clunky prose made ubiquitous by "The Kite Runner", Eteraz relates his life as he receives his childhood education in the madrassas, grows rooted in the Islamic traditions, and quickly loses his faith upon moving to the West. Nothing in particular seems to account for that loss; I'm left with the distinct impression that he left the faith out of...more

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Nov 25, 2009 Dixie Theriault rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was interested in reading this book because since Nine-Eleven, I have attempted to gain some understanding into the Muslim beliefs and culture.
This book is a memoir of one man's reflection of his life growing up in the Islam faith. It begins with his humble childhood in Pakistan, and extends through his immigration to the US, ending up as a teenager in Alabama, then back to Pakistan.

The religious zeal with which he was brought up was actually not unlike a couple of people that I knew back in g...more

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Aug 05, 2010 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: rubbish-bin

This was another disappointing read in my quest for a sensitive book which informs and entertains me about Islam. An OK read, I persisted through the low level of entertainment and information that was on offer through the time of Abir/Amir/Ali through his good boy years in Pakistan, and into his fine young muslim years in America through high school and uni, in the hope that when his disillusionment grew, some more feelings would be explained or intellectualised. But when I got to his anti-isla...more

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May 15, 2012 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read and what I loved about it was that I had no idea where it was going. What I didn't love so much was where it went.

The author grew up in Pakistan and tells a very amusing and interesting tale of growing up Muslim and the various phases he went through as he came to the US in his teen years and tried to fit in.

Eventually he becomes an activist for the Palestinian cause, but then retreats when he sees how politics detract from his beliefs. After 9/11 he commits himself...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Susan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Why is this called Children of Dust? The book is interesting, but it seems inauthentic, Ali is writing for a western audience, and their appears to be no real soul-searching here. There is nothing to offend the mullahs here, but neither is there any feeling of compassion for the victims of Islamist violence. Is that the author or the Islam? There are a couple of insights, but this is definitely a book by an alienated outsider. Some events and things don't ring true, his father is a doctor and ca...more

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Aug 14, 2010 Don rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, culture, philosophy-religion, social-political-commentary, non-fiction

The book is truly written in memoir fashion, taking the reader from the author's young years in Pakistan to his teenage years in America (primarily Alabama) and some of his young adult travels involving college and work, including a trip back to Pakistan. Initially, it was difficult (for me) to get into the book as each chapter was somewhat of a short disjointed snippet, each relaying a seemingly random experience. It tends to come together as it approaches the middle and end, where those quick...more The book is truly written in memoir fashion, taking the reader from the author's young years in Pakistan to his teenage years in America (primarily Alabama) and some of his young adult travels involving college and work, including a trip back to Pakistan. Initially, it was difficult (for me) to get into the book as each chapter was somewhat of a short disjointed snippet, each relaying a seemingly random experience. It tends to come together as it approaches the middle and end, where those quick snippets into the author's mind assists in understanding the impact of later events. Thus, after a slow start, it picks up and becomes an informative read to an individual's experience with Islam.

There were a couple things I found noteworthy while reading it. First, while Eteraz didn't start this way, for awhile he become a conservative or fundamentalist practitioner of Islam. I think too often, at least in representations in the media and simply in general conversation, we tend to associate fundamentalist Islam with terrorism (I understand many who associate any Islam with terrorism, but that's a whole other issue). What's interesting is that while he was practicing his religion in this fashion, observing strictly the ideas regarding diet, dress, roles for men and women, etc., the September 11 attacks happened; and the author was abhorred by it. Its good to remember that conservative/fundamentalist Islam is not much different (in certain ways) then conservative or fundamentalist Christianity. They provide for strict adherence to (even in a literal sense) to their respective scripture, tend to call for "traditional" roles regarding men and women, and have similar views on various "social" issues, homosexuality for example. Thus, when an individual, who happens to be practicing a fundamentalist version of Christianity, murders a doctor who performs abortion, or commits any act of violence, we shouldn't thrust that act onto the religion. We tend to avoid using the language of terrorist when the perpetrator is Christian, and reserve it for use in cases where the persons happens to be Islam. Throughout reading the book, I found it a useful reminder that a person that commits such atrocity should be defined first by that act, not by their happenstance chosen religion. This is tending to become a larger digression than I intended, but with certain current debates (i.e., the Islamic Center near Ground Zero), it has been in my consciousness while reading this book.

Second, was the similar reaction from people in the author's background and many of today's Christians towards science. I do not personally understand the fear or apprehension (not sure of the right word) that certain religious tradition has towards the scientific discovery and explanation of our natural world. I would suppose that is has something to deal with in the past that religion has venture to explain the going ons and occurrences in nature, and now science, in many cases, has presented conflicting conclusions; and people refuse to leave their authority of their religion, as they would be unsure of what that would mean, for them, and the religion. But that's purely my speculation; I just wanted to note that I find the similar reaction to those issues among Islam and Christianity to point to similar religions tradition, history, and development than one might realize at first glance.

In any event, after kind of a slow beginning for me, the book read very well, and is thought-provoking and provides an opportunity for reflection considering the ever increasing contact between differing religions and differing religious people. (less)

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Jun 22, 2012 Jean rated it 2 of 5 stars

Although this book has much to offer in terms of information to those readers who know little about Pakistan and Islam from such a personal viewpoint,
I thought the book tended to get bogged down, was tedious and too long. There came a point where I just wanted it to end. It certainly could have been edited more carefully in my opinion. On the other hand, it does give non Muslims a personal understanding of just what thoughtful Muslims struggle with in this and their culture. If anything it giv...more

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Feb 01, 2010 Kimm rated it 2 of 5 stars

Typically, I enjoy books set in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. I find the contrast between their cultures and American culture to be interesting and informative. The predominance of religion weighs heavily in the mix of course, and that will always distinguish a multitude of differences. Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz is a book that illustrates just how different our worlds truly are. Eteraz grows up stuck between these worlds, trying to understand his place and purpose. He’s the pr...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Violet Crush rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

I almost feel inadequate reviewing this book because I’m sure I haven’t understood everything the author wanted to convey. But I loved what I grasped from it. That’s not to say the book is a difficult read, far from it.

Children of Dust is not merely a “memoir of Pakistan”, although the time the author spent in Pakistan, up-to the age of 10, was a large part of what constituted his religious outlook.

The book is divided into parts. The first part, when the author is a child, takes place in Pakista...more I almost feel inadequate reviewing this book because I’m sure I haven’t understood everything the author wanted to convey. But I loved what I grasped from it. That’s not to say the book is a difficult read, far from it.

Children of Dust is not merely a “memoir of Pakistan”, although the time the author spent in Pakistan, up-to the age of 10, was a large part of what constituted his religious outlook.

The book is divided into parts. The first part, when the author is a child, takes place in Pakistan. Here he describes living in a small town in Pakistan and going to a Madrasa which was a very traumatic experience. His parents were very religious and they wanted him to be a follower and a servant of Islam. When the family migrates to the US, the author starts to neglect Islam and concentrate on issues more important to teenagers-like fitting in, sexuality and finding ways to watch ‘Boy meets World’. It was refreshing to read first hand how a Muslim boy had to struggle with fitting in and also trying to follow his religion.

When he went to college far from home, although he struggled with same things he did before, he does become more friendly with people from his own community and gradually acquires a fundamentalist outlook. Without getting into too many details, he returns to Pakistan to find a pious girl and also to find out more about his ancestors. But instead of finding what he expected, he finds his ideas of an Islamic nation shattered. Here’s what he has to say after his visit to Pakistan.

I was sneered at by the very ones who were supposed to embrace me. I was rejected by the ones who were supposed to be purer-in character, in culture, in chivalry-than Americans. The brilliance that I’d associated with Islam just a few months earlier had now turned black. After a period of mourning and melancholy, I craved vengeance. I sought to undermine all that the presumably purer Muslims held sacred.

I found his shift in religious opinions very unsettling. It could be the result of blindly following what he had heard from his childhood and then finding out that not everything is what it is supposed to be. You would think a book about the authors religious journey will be boring, but it’s not, far from it. It’s fascinating, interesting, funny and most of all entertaining. And honest-very honest.

‘Children of Dust‘ is definitely unlike any memoir I have read before and I have read quite a few. Highly recommended.(less)

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Apr 30, 2013 Debra S rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: clsc

I think this is really a 3.5 or 3.75. It was mostly enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. Memoirs are difficult because they really aren't novels but the first 3/4 of the book read more like a novel. As a child Eteraz was funny and endearing. As he explored fundamentalism, postmodernism, and reformism not so funny or likeable.

But this was a story of one man's search for identity after all and it is his story. In the end Eteraz had returned to the beginning which probably doesn't make sense,...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Mikey B. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to confess that I found this a little confusing for a memoir because so much is written in dialogue form, even when the author is a young child. It reads more like a novel than an autobiography, but the reading is very understandable and fluid.

The first part is the most engaging as it discusses his upbringing in Pakistan – which is most Dickensian with the poverty, the teachers who force memorization of religious texts (the Koran) and beat their students at a whim. I suppose the passages...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am not really sure what I feel about this book. First, I may know a bit more about Pakistan, its people and religion than the average American. I have been married to a Pakistani for almost 26 years. I have been to the country many times and so I am looking at this from a different angle than most Americans.

Certainly the part about living in Pakistan as a young boy rang true. We don't know where he lived, but we know it's not a large town and I know that there are people like he describes. It...more I am not really sure what I feel about this book. First, I may know a bit more about Pakistan, its people and religion than the average American. I have been married to a Pakistani for almost 26 years. I have been to the country many times and so I am looking at this from a different angle than most Americans.

Certainly the part about living in Pakistan as a young boy rang true. We don't know where he lived, but we know it's not a large town and I know that there are people like he describes. It may be hard for people to understand, but for many within Pakistan, this is their life. Mostly in the towns removed from the big cities like Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad. Plus the early section of the book takes place years ago. Things are more advanced in some ways, but in others the advancement has only affected some things and so there's much incongruity there. So, I was comfortable with this part of the book.

I am also somewhat comfortable with the part where his family comes to America. Much of what he describes I have witnessed first hand. People come from another culture/religion and sometimes the pendulum swings very far in one direction, only to come back to the extreme the other side. His mother embraces the American culture at first, a kind of new found freedom, but inevitably goes back to her culture/religion and becomes even more strict. Of course the young boys are going to struggle, they want to fit it, yet the strict teaching they have had keeps ringing in their head. I thoroughly enjoyed the bits about his dating online and encounters with girls. Again, the whole thing rings true. It's so awkward at times. I felt myself cringing at how real it was!

I struggled with the "Fundamentalist" section. Again, I know many people who have gone through the exact same things - going deeper into their religion, but I guess I just could not stand the person the author was at this point. If I met him in real life at that time, I would not want to be around him. I would actively dislike him. I know he was practicing his religion, but he was so overzealous. I guess in a a sense he wrote well and true, because the personality came across very strongly.

I wish the ending was different. I know the author was out to reform Islam, but I still didn't like him at that point.I felt that the author approached his religion in a sort of cold, calculating, systematic way, silver crescent pendent (check), beard (check), green colored clothes (check), and it troubled me that even though he professed to be this religious person, he had in fact, lost the essence of the religion. I kept wondering where he was going with all this. He goes back to the Middle East and thank goodness for his friend Ziad! That guy almost had to take heavy object and hit the author over the head. The best part was when Ziad is listening to Abida Parveen singing Punjabi poetry and the author translates it (page 305 in my paperback). That part is the true essence of Islam. I was a bit unsettled at the end of the book, because I could not be certain if the author finally "got it", so to speak. I hope he did. I feel if more people like the author and Ziad can make people understand that what we identify with Islam, by what media shows us and uneducated people continue to teach as "Islam" is not the truth, then there will not be so much mistrust and hatred of Muslims. (less)

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Jan 10, 2010 Saeed rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found the entire account fascinating. The author's experience growing up in Pakistan is almost frightening -- and the drastic contrast from his later years makes it all the more haunting. He's not the best writer and the prose isn't too polished but the substance of his transformations make up for it. Well worth reading for those who want a perspective on how "religious" people can vacillate from one extreme to te other at times.

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Jan 16, 2010 Eno Sarris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Though it can get a little Islam-heavy at times, Children of Dust does a great job of outlining some of the fault lines in Pakistan and in the Islamic world. For those hoping for a moderate, reformist brand of Islam to step forward, more books like these need to be written, bought and read.

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Jul 19, 2012 Rhonda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Overall, I found this to be quite uninteresting and there wasn't any point in the book which propelled me through. I completed it because I like to finish what I start and I was hoping that, at some point, it would get better. Unfortunately, for the most part, I yawned my way through.

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Oct 22, 2012 Jackie Kehl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Memoir of the author's finding himself and finding Islam as he grows up in Pakistan and the U.S. It's not so much a memoir of Pakistan as it is a memoir of being Muslim in a conservative family and as a radical young adult and finding a balance between his religion and his life.

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Dec 11, 2009 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, 2009

I wish this was actually two books...the earlier/memoir book and the current journey that you don't get to until about 3/4 of the way through the book. Learned a ton! Recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the 'everyday man's' Islam...and the struggle Muslims face in the world...both within Islam and without.

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Jul 27, 2012 Mona Bomgaars rated it 3 of 5 stars

Easily read book about a Pakistani boy and his focus on living a righteous Islamic life. Not easy. This book was chosen as the book and author for the 2012 Chautauqua week on Pakistan.
The in person presentation by the author went well, his introductory comments include conversations between humankind and God with many quotes from Pakistani poets. Personally a very charming young man.

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Jun 13, 2010 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Interesting insight to Islam, what attracts young men into radicalism and how to deter radicalism. Story of a young man trying to find himself as a Pakistani, American and Muslim.

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Mar 27, 2010 Trudi rated it 3 of 5 stars

While certainly an intersting book, I didn't really like it very much. The author flip-flops a good deal in his beliefs and never really "settles." It all appears very superficial to me.

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Jun 18, 2010 Mbhatia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Interesting memoir that explains the author's evolving relationship with his religion Islam from his early childhood in Pakistan to the present.

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Aug 03, 2012 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not a well written book but does give an idea of what it's like to be a young male muslim born and raised until 10 in Pakistan and then lived the rest of his life (author is now in early 30's) in various cities in the US as his father did his medical training. The book explores his religious beliefs as they change and develop as he grows up - especially the tension between his beliefs and the secular US society. The book had much potential and I did learn a lot but I was left with an unsatisfied...more

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Jan 31, 2010 Abiha marked it as to-read

THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT RELIGION OR ABOUT NATION BUT IT IS ABOUT SELF DISCOVERY AND A LITTLE BIT OF INTERNALISED SELF-DOUBT.

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Jul 25, 2012 Norma rated it 2 of 5 stars

Was not impressed . Finished because the author is talking about it tomorrow at Chautauqua. It is the author's journey so he has the right to live it and write about it.

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Jul 28, 2011 Elissar rated it 5 of 5 stars

The most sensationl, perhaps the best book I've read in a very long time.

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Apr 05, 2011 Badrul rated it 5 of 5 stars

A specific Muslim's transformation. Very relatable to South Asian Muslims

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About Ali Eteraz

Ali Eteraz was born in Lahore and raised in Saudi Arabia, Dominican Republic, Pakistan and the United States. A graduate of Emory University (High Honours in Philosophy) and Temple Law, his first prose work, Children of Dust, was published in 2009. The American Institute of Pakistan Studies described the book as a "contemporary version of 'A Portrait of the Muslim as a Young Man.'" The book was ca...more

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