Hopeful

Brilliant

A highly entertaining listen- definitely a repeat listening book! Would highly recommend buying this one!

Very honest and down to earth.

Really enjoyed this audiobook. An interesting character. And nice he was telling his own story.

Just brilliant!

From beginning to the end I was captivated by this very funny, interesting and just a bloody nice bloke!

Beautiful read but a bit all over the place

Read with integrity, humour and pace it was an enjoyable listen. The story though felt like it jumped around too much.

Funny British Iranian Guy

I am also British-Iranian (English mother & Persian father). So Omid's autobiography has some relevance. His performance reading this book is very good and amusing, who could have done it better ? I have also seen him live at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith; he was very funny. My only criticism is that he could have written more about his comedy act and career. Recommended.

An Unexpected Gem

Would you consider the audio edition of Hopeful to be better than the print version?

Yes, Omid's character and wonderful delivery only add to the written text.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Undergraduate Omid was my favourite character because he was young and naive, and totally fearless of the ludicrous situations that he got himself into.

What does Omid Djalili bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Himself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were too many moments that moved me to list them all, but what has remained with me having long finished reading the book is his account of his family's Baha'i faith and the related cost for them.

Hilariously honest and tremendously touching

This autobiography is disarming in its author's unflinching gaze on his past.
It literally made me laugh out loud in public (making people stare and think I'm a nutter) and even provoked tears at points despite that not being my habit.
Deeply moving in passages but never over sentimental, Omid is a romantic but not self indulgent.
This is perhaps the first audio book I have come across that I wouldn't want to read-his narration is brilliant.
All that said there is one word that must predominate and seems apt to end on; funny.

Boring

A sadly boring collection of childhood anecdotes. I wish I'd used my credit more wisely.

A good read.

Not what I expected. It was a good read. Omid has had an interesting life so far.

What did I just listen to ...?

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Um ... nope, sorry, can't think of anyone.

What was most disappointing about Omid Djalili’s story?

That there was, in fact, very little "story". It was a surprisingly dull narrative which surprised me because his public image suggest someone full of banter. He's basically a blagger (who cheats his way into university) and probably blagged his way into a publisher's office and convinced them he could write. I would really like to get my "credit" back for this one but I kept going with it (hoping it would improve)- and didn't think it was fair to ask for a refund.

How could the performance have been better?

If the substance of the book had been more interesting.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

As a performer, I like him. As a writer, not so much.

6 of 12 people found this review helpful