Persian Girls: A Memoir -- Book Review (Unsolicited)

A year ago I received this book from Mother Talk. I didn't get to participate in the Blog tour, but I received it so I could participate in the discussion of their newly open discussion forum. Unfortunately I didn't have time to do so because I was busy with the dissertation and other things, but I saved the book for later. I read it in two sittings, the first in the car on our way to Florida and the second on Saturday night. I knew I could/should be grading for the online "teaching," but I made a conscious decision to read the book instead.

I will have to be brief, but I wanted to say that I really liked the book. There is no suspense to it because the back cover already reveals what happens at the end and which motivates the existence of the book, but going back in time and examining Nahid Rachlin's childhood is fascinating. The book was also a good way to learn more of what happened in Iran before, during and after the deposition of the Shah and Khomeini's rule, as well as the hostage crisis.

I remember those events vividly from my childhood (I was 8-9). I recall the name Shah Rezah Pahlavi and hearing that he had to flee. I also remember about the hostages being freed (althouh I had no idea it was related to Reagan's inauguration). Most of all, I have a very negative image of Aiatolah Khomeini, which a prominent figure in the news in Brazil while I was growing up as well as the war between Iran and Iraq.

I enjoyed learning about those events again, this time filtered by the experiences of a woman who lived in Iran shortly before all that took place. Rachlin's description of her displacement as a foreign student also struck me, although I cannot say that I fully identify since my own culture was not as removed from this one and I was fluent in the language when I came to this country.

Most of all, I just enjoyed reading. With my intellectual life on forced "over drive" all these years of graduate school and dissertating, reading for pleasure was hardly ever possible. I need to begin to catch up! I'm so thankful for MotherTalk for giving me the opportunity to receive some free books (the same way I gladly collected books during the years I was a T.A. -- I've had a post on free books in the works for years now :-). Otherwise, I cannot really afford them.

Talking of which, I just used my gift certificate from this review to purchase Persepolis. I can't wait to read that one! I'm also thrilled that Nahid Rachlin is coming to UPenn in March. I hope I can go see her -- if the reading is open to the public (it should be since it is listed in Rachlin's website). It will be a treat if I can make it! I'll let you know!

Note: I was thrilled that I was able to write this post in 16 minutes, I hope I can continue to write posts this fast in the future ;-).