My childhood was defined by my father's absence. His presence looms so large. Up until the age of 18, he was a superstar for me. Said Sayrafiezadeh absenceagechildhood Change image and share on social
I have no personal experience in the military. All I know about it is what I've seen in movies and read in books and watched on television. My knowledge is probably no more or no less than the average person's. 'A Brief Encounter with the Enemy' was created by taking bits and pieces from here and there, and then putting my own spin on them. Said Sayrafiezadeh averagebitbook share on social
I am haunted by what my life would have been had I not had the courage in my early twenties to leave Pittsburgh for New York City and really commit to being a writer. Pittsburgh is both post-industrial and provincial, and the opportunities there are limited. It would have been quite easy to simply drift through life. Said Sayrafiezadeh citycommitcourage share on social
I feel more Jewish than I do Iranian. Said Sayrafiezadeh feeliranianjewish Change image and share on social
Other families who are poor do what they can to get out of it. My mother did not. She did not utilise her resources. She had a degree. There was something she could have done, but she actively, purposely refused that so we could have this absolutely authentic experience of the worst of capitalism: 'See? Look how bad capitalism is.' Said Sayrafiezadeh absolutelyactivelyauthentic share on social