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anna_scht7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
albanueva's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting book, although I found it long and parts of it were a bit heavy. Also I didn't particularly like its organization, which I found somewhat confusing.
big_dreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, che dire... molto coinvolgente. Mi sembrava di stare con quel gruppo di ragazze a parlare di libri, anche se spesso (quasi sempre) mi rendevo conto di quanto io fossi rimasta in superficie durante la mia lettura. Mi ha completamente cambiato la visuale su Lolita.
rprkrshearer's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning; the book is part literary criticism, part memoir and part fictitious or fiction-like narrative itself. The assessments of the texts are well rounded and discussed from multiple angles at length, while simultaneously adding a new dimension of western literature through the lens of female oppression in Iran.
The way that this perspective colorizes villains and heroes within novels (and how these figures can be identified in daily life) makes one reexamine what Nafisi calls the, "ordeal of freedom," and any claim of Mafisi's 'self righteous tone' over the course of the book demonstrates a lack of understanding of that empathy so integral to maintaining their hope in the face of stark oppression; the annulment of their autonomy, individuality and self identification/expression.
This book was an adventure in literature and its many gifts, in feminism and of the human experience.
The way that this perspective colorizes villains and heroes within novels (and how these figures can be identified in daily life) makes one reexamine what Nafisi calls the, "ordeal of freedom," and any claim of Mafisi's 'self righteous tone' over the course of the book demonstrates a lack of understanding of that empathy so integral to maintaining their hope in the face of stark oppression; the annulment of their autonomy, individuality and self identification/expression.
This book was an adventure in literature and its many gifts, in feminism and of the human experience.
elizabethsuggs's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good book, though it drags on in points. It paints a sad and empathetic picture of life in Tehran from before and during Islamic radicalism while giving us insight into the many beautiful books our narrator teaches to her students, both in the university and in private.
There’s a really striking line near the end that I would like to highlight: “Living in the Islam Republic is like having sex with a man you loathe.”
I suggest this book to anyone who loves classics and wants to learn more about the life of Tehran.
There’s a really striking line near the end that I would like to highlight: “Living in the Islam Republic is like having sex with a man you loathe.”
I suggest this book to anyone who loves classics and wants to learn more about the life of Tehran.
brannonkrkhuang's review against another edition
This book is very well-written and I love how parts of it are written, but I also am not interested in a detailed analysis of Lolita, so some chapters are falling flat for me. With talk of Vladimir Nabokov there also comes many critical references to the communist revolution in Russia, which doesn’t sit well with me. Of course Vladimir wouldn’t have been a fan of the revolution, he had a very privileged childhood, growing up as a member of the exploiting class. I’d take his takes on communism with SEVERAL grains of salt.
jadedcoffin's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite book this year. Nafisi, like any talented weaver, threads together her life (and those of her students, collegues, friends, family ) as an English teacher during the Iranian revolution with all the books she used to teach her students.(Nabokov Lolita, The great Gatsby , F scott Fitzgerald, Pride and Prejudice, etc).
Nafisi gives us a glimpse of a time many of us would not have imagined. A lovely and thought-provoking read.
Nafisi gives us a glimpse of a time many of us would not have imagined. A lovely and thought-provoking read.
bumblero's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
One of my favorite memoirs by far. The memoir through literature format was so unique and well-implemented. Also I learned a lot about Iranian history and politics.