annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Song of a Captive Bird is a fictionalized historical account based on the life of Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad. Written by Jasmin Darkznik, released 13th February, 2018 by Random House Ballantine, it's 401 pages and available in all formats.
Though it is a fictionalized account, the author has clearly done exhaustive and meticulous research. The narrative is seamless and engaged me from the beginning. This was a really difficult book for me to read. As a westerner growing up in the 70s-80s, I was never directly confronted by the overwhelming sexism and casual cruelty experienced as a daily part of life of women in Iran in the early part of the 20th century.
Forough was an outspoken poet and activist during a time and place when women simply weren't given the option to be anything other than wives and mothers. Much of the narrative of this book centers on her childhood to young adulthood and her chafing anger at the harsh realities for women in pre-revolutionary Iran. I've read much of Farrokhzad's poetry after reading this book and it astounded me how razor sharp and strong and desperately sad much of it is even after 50+ years.
She was a fascinatingly complex, flawed, strong soul and Jasmin Darznik does credit to her life. This is not a book I will forget in a hurry.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Song of a Captive Bird is a fictionalized historical account based on the life of Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad. Written by Jasmin Darkznik, released 13th February, 2018 by Random House Ballantine, it's 401 pages and available in all formats.
Though it is a fictionalized account, the author has clearly done exhaustive and meticulous research. The narrative is seamless and engaged me from the beginning. This was a really difficult book for me to read. As a westerner growing up in the 70s-80s, I was never directly confronted by the overwhelming sexism and casual cruelty experienced as a daily part of life of women in Iran in the early part of the 20th century.
Forough was an outspoken poet and activist during a time and place when women simply weren't given the option to be anything other than wives and mothers. Much of the narrative of this book centers on her childhood to young adulthood and her chafing anger at the harsh realities for women in pre-revolutionary Iran. I've read much of Farrokhzad's poetry after reading this book and it astounded me how razor sharp and strong and desperately sad much of it is even after 50+ years.
She was a fascinatingly complex, flawed, strong soul and Jasmin Darznik does credit to her life. This is not a book I will forget in a hurry.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
ilseoo's review against another edition
5.0
This was just beautiful. In this captivating novel Jasmin Darznik manages to capture both a turbulent part of the political Iranian past and the personal life of the acclaimed female poet Forugh Farrokhzad, who stood at the beginning of feminism in Iran. Being born in Tehran, Iran, herself, Darznik conveyed a realistic and tangible image of the country. Her prose ran beautifully and dragged me into the story. I often felt moved while reading about the life and struggles of Farrokhzad and am now extremely eager to look up her work.
hjfritz27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shornerk's review against another edition
5.0
This book is one of my favorite books this year. A beautiful, haunting historical fiction where I both fell in love with the main character and was entirely frustrated with the fallibility of the main character. Many moments (especially toward the middle) are exquisitely written in a poetic voice (like "We found truth in the garden, in the shy glance of the nameless flower, found eternity in the moment when two suns face each other . . . I'm talking about daytime and open windows and fresh air and . a stove where useless things are left to burn, a land fertile with different plantings, bith and evolution and pride"). I also love the way the author plays with time, using foreshadowing and moment jumping to craft just the right amount of gentle tension to move the plot forward and keep the reader fully engaged. One of my most cherished books this year.
rebekahology's review against another edition
4.0
This is so well-written but also so sad. I know it's a novel, but the author did such a good job in making you believe you were reading an autobiography. What a remarkable woman and artist. I am definitely intrigued to read her poetry, although I know much gets lost in translation. It makes me so grateful for the women who forged these pathways where it seemed impenetrable. I can be the woman I am today because of women like Forugh Farrokhzad.
lizzyf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
brim010's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jk_will's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
cprice0922's review against another edition
5.0
What a story.
This is probably not a book I would typically pick up but I am so glad I did. This was story of an independent, strong willed woman living in a country and a time when being those things was practically impossible. This was such well written and engaging story.
This is probably not a book I would typically pick up but I am so glad I did. This was story of an independent, strong willed woman living in a country and a time when being those things was practically impossible. This was such well written and engaging story.
samhitha_reading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5