The Boy with the Topknot cover art

The Boy with the Topknot

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The Boy with the Topknot

By: Sathnam Sanghera
Narrated by: Assad Zaman
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About this listen

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 Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
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.

Beautiful story

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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.

Superb narration

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slow moving and little outcome but lots of insight into Punjabi life in Wolverhampton interacting with being Western

..

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I absolutely loved listening to this book, brilliantly narrated by the author.

The author painstakingly pieces together his family history, no mean feat coming from an oral culture where little is written down or documented.

The central theme is family incidences of shizophrenia. Ultimately, this book exudes love and acceptance, including self acceptance, sadness and understanding. It illustrates the sheer good or bad luck of our birth circumstances and genetic inheritance.

I loved hearing the cultural insights and I was shocked by some of these on a number of occssions. I learned so much about schizophrenia and it's impact on a person and their family.Recommended

Brilliant. Do have a listen.

Moving, eye opening and educational

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

wow

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

they way in which its read could be improved

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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

Such a wonderful read

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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.

Interesting glimpse into Anglo-Sikh culture

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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.

learned about 2 subjects while enjoying the book

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

Gives brilliant insight into psychosis

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