Synopses & Reviews
“The revolution is not only inevitable, it is imminent. It is not only imminent, it is quite imminent. And when the time comes, my father will lead it.”With a profound gift for capturing the absurd in life, and a deadpan wisdom that comes from surviving a surreal childhood in the Socialist Workers Party, Saïd Sayrafiezadeh has crafted an unsentimental, funny, heartbreaking memoir.
Saïds Iranian-born father and American Jewish mother had one thing in common: their unshakable conviction that the workers revolution was coming. Separated since their son was nine months old, they each pursued a dream of the perfect socialist society. Pinballing with his mother between makeshift Pittsburgh apartments, falling asleep at party meetings, longing for the luxuries hes taught to despise, Said waits for the revolution that never, ever arrives. “Soon,” his mother assures him, while his long-absent father quixotically runs as a socialist candidate for president in an Iran about to fall under the ayatollahs. Then comes the hostage crisis. The uproar that follows is the first time Saïd hears the word “Iran” in school. There he is suddenly forced to confront the combustible stew of his identity: as an American, an Iranian, a Jew, a socialist... and a middle-school kid who loves football and video games.
Poised perfectly between tragedy and farce, here is a story by a brilliant young writer struggling to break away from the powerful mythologies of his upbringing and create a life—and a voice—of his own. Saïd Sayrafiezadehs memoir is unforgettable.
Synopsis
With a profound gift for capturing the absurd in life, and a deadpan wisdom that comes from surviving a surreal childhood in the Socialist Workers Party, Sayrafiezadeh has crafted an unsentimental, funny, heartbreaking memoir.
About the Author
Saïd Sayrafiezadehs writing has appeared in Granta, the Paris Review, and Open City. He lives in New York.
Reading Group Guide
Poignant, funny, and at times, heartbreaking,
When Skateboards Will Be Free is this memoir of a young writer who grew up navigating the turbulent waters of a socialist upbringing. His mother, acting in her unfailing belief that the Socialist Revolution will one day come, moves him from one rundown apartment to another while denying any form of luxury, and insisting that he accompany her to socialist meetings. His absentee father is running for president of Iran and making guest appearances in his son’s life. Struggling to establish his own beliefs amidst the chaos, Sayrafiezadeh creates a life–and a voice–all his own.
The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your reading of Saïd Sayrafiezadeh’s When Skateboards Will Be Free. We hope that they enrich your experience of this captivating memoir.
1. How do Sayrafiezadeh’s feelings towards Socialism evolve from his childhood into adulthood?
2. Acting is a kind of escape for Sayrafiezadeh during his childhood years. Do you think its purpose changes when he becomes an adult? If so, how?
3. Sayrafiezadeh likes to keep his things as neat as possible. What do you think this provides for him?
4. Sayrafiezadeh’s interactions with his father often seem uncomfortable and awkward. Why do you think this is? Do you think that his father ever tries to make him feel at ease?
5. Sayrafiezadeh and his mother are constantly on the move during his childhood. How does this influence his feelings towards Socialism?
6. On pages 64 and 65, Sayrafiezadeh describes a broom that his mother brings to two unusual places–a bus and a restaurant. What is the significance of the appearance of this broom?
7. What are the implications of the book’s title, When Skateboards Will Be Free on Sayrafiezadeh’s story?
8. On page 143, Sayrafiezadeh says, “I realize I have now become the sixteenth subscription for New York City.” What do you think he means by this?
9. Describe Sayrafiezadeh’s relationship with his brother and sister. How does he compare himself to them?
10. How do Sayrafiezadeh’s feelings about his mother change over time?
11. What effects does his relationship with Karen have on Sayrafiezadeh, particularly on his political beliefs and his sense of himself?
1. How do Sayrafiezadehs feelings towards Socialism evolve from his childhood into adulthood?
2. Acting is a kind of escape for Sayrafiezadeh during his childhood years. Do you think its purpose changes when he becomes an adult? If so, how?
3. Sayrafiezadeh likes to keep his things as neat as possible. What do you think this provides for him?
4. Sayrafiezadehs interactions with his father often seem uncomfortable and awkward. Why do you think this is? Do you think that his father ever tries to make him feel at ease?
5. Sayrafiezadeh and his mother are constantly on the move during his childhood. How does this influence his feelings towards Socialism?
6. On pages 64 and 65, Sayrafiezadeh describes a broom that his mother brings to two unusual places–a bus and a restaurant. What is the significance of the appearance of this broom?
7. What are the implications of the books title, When Skateboards Will Be Free on Sayrafiezadehs story?
8. On page 143, Sayrafiezadeh says, “I realize I have now become the sixteenth subscription for New York City.” What do you think he means by this?
9. Describe Sayrafiezadehs relationship with his brother and sister. How does he compare himself to them?
10. How do Sayrafiezadehs feelings about his mother change over time?
11. What effects does his relationship with Karen have on Sayrafiezadeh, particularly on his political beliefs and his sense of himself?