Is There Bacon In Heaven?: A Memoir

This is the memoir of foodie/comedian/CBC personality Ali Hassan who discusses his family life and aspects of his religious and cultural identity as a Canadian of Pakistani descent. I bought this book after hearing Hassan speak at the Eden Mills Writers Festival in early September 2023. He is hilarious in person, and I immediately purchased his book.

I went into this book knowing Hassan is a funny guy, but also knowing that his book is more of a memoir than a humorous story. In its 250 pages, Hassan keeps a lighter feel with his signature humour sprinkled lightly throughout as he talks about his childhood, career, and family life but he also tackles hefty topics - religion, identity, and racism. The book has a repetitive feel as we return to certain issues a few times, but I enjoyed getting a better look into the life of this funny Canadian foodie.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Ali Hassan

Genre: Memoir, Canadian

Type and Source: Personal copy, Trade Paperback

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

First Published: September 27, 2022

Book Description from GoodReads: For fans of Russell Peters, Trevor Noah, and Mark Critch comes a hilarious debut memoir about family, pursuing our passions, and figuring out who we are, by stand-up comedian and popular CBC host, Ali Hassan.

Growing up, Ali Hassan was a chameleon. His friends came from many different backgrounds and religions—Trinidadian, Parsi, Goan, Hindu, Christian, Sikh. And as a hockey-playing, Crock-Pot–using young man who also knew the words to at least ten Blue Rodeo songs, he could blend in everywhere. But the world has a funny way of reminding you who you are, and Hassan’s Muslim Pakistani family and community did, too.

In this heartfelt and funny memoir, based on his hit stand-up comedy, Hassan shares his lifelong journey to becoming a “cultural Muslim”—learning to walk the line of embracing his heritage while following his passions and being true to himself. From failing to learn Arabic—or much of anything—in Sunday school and visiting family in Pakistan who mocked him relentlessly, to discovering the wonders of pepperoni as a teenager and being a celebrity judge at Ribfest, he finds himself in compromising situations that challenge his beliefs and identity.

Now, as a father of four, he has to answer his children’s questions and try to explain his point of view. But he can’t just “give them” an identity as a cultural Muslim. Sharing his story is the next best thing.

With the perfect blend of humour and insight, Is There Bacon in Heaven? explores the deep need to belong that exists in everyone.