sakuraoyama's review
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lekg's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
simonmee's review
4.0
This is a solid novelization of the life of the Iranian poet (most certainly not "poetess") Forugh Farrokhzad. While a debut novel for the author, I suspect her experience as a professor of literature and creative writing is part of what makes this a very readable retelling, particularly as she took the relatively difficult approachof a first-person view of a single character for the entire novel. The conversations with other characters read relatively naturally to me, with no paragraphs of exposition being spat out to force the story forward.
My experience with poetry is relatively limited, between the misfire of "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk and limericks beginning with "There once was a man from Nantucket...". So, from a relatively unsophisticated perspective, I was impressed with the integration of Farrokhzad's poems into the novel. "Sin" stands out, but a number of them were of high quality, even in their English translation.
The build up of tension in the novel is limited. While dramatic licence is used, this is a straightforward story. My own interpretation is that does reflect that life is based around more than the build-up to one shocking event with a quick denouement. I enjoyed the character of Farrokhzad as portrayed in the novel. Things she couldn't control (death of a friend, separation from her child) affected her and caused doubt but she continued to show resilience and passion even when she was unable to fully resolve these setbacks. What I liked was the author avoided easy answers.
So this was definitely a novel that can easily be read after one whiskey, and is mostly legible after two. Unfortunately I fell asleep after the third whiskey, so my research ended there.
My experience with poetry is relatively limited, between the misfire of "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk and limericks beginning with "There once was a man from Nantucket...". So, from a relatively unsophisticated perspective, I was impressed with the integration of Farrokhzad's poems into the novel. "Sin" stands out, but a number of them were of high quality, even in their English translation.
The build up of tension in the novel is limited. While dramatic licence is used, this is a straightforward story. My own interpretation is that does reflect that life is based around more than the build-up to one shocking event with a quick denouement. I enjoyed the character of Farrokhzad as portrayed in the novel. Things she couldn't control (death of a friend, separation from her child) affected her and caused doubt but she continued to show resilience and passion even when she was unable to fully resolve these setbacks. What I liked was the author avoided easy answers.
So this was definitely a novel that can easily be read after one whiskey, and is mostly legible after two. Unfortunately I fell asleep after the third whiskey, so my research ended there.
jsav9's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-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
3.75
mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
i read this book as part of a group read. When i say read I mean listened to on audio - this was a great narration where the narrator did not try to speak in different voices but allowed the narrative to speak for itself.
The first part of this book is shocking the cultural mores are absolutely appalling and the reader is pushed into empathising with Farough. Although I do have sympathy for the character I also belive that she could have approached the problem in a less confrontational way.
The second half of the book felt more rushed and is the reason why it did not reach the heady rush of 5 stars. I think the author realised that this book could go on and on (she seems to make some such comment in the author's note).
Overall this was a great read
The first part of this book is shocking the cultural mores are absolutely appalling and the reader is pushed into empathising with Farough. Although I do have sympathy for the character I also belive that she could have approached the problem in a less confrontational way.
The second half of the book felt more rushed and is the reason why it did not reach the heady rush of 5 stars. I think the author realised that this book could go on and on (she seems to make some such comment in the author's note).
Overall this was a great read
rosiebooks's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
amyb88's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
melty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
allisongiovanetti's review
4.0
“Because I was a woman, they wanted to silence the screams on my lips and stifle the breath in my lungs. But I couldn’t stay quiet.”
This was a very moving and powerful story about feminism, political justice, and freedom. I loved how outspoken Forugh was, even towards political leaders.
Even though Forugh was a woman, she still had an immense amount of privilege compared to the average Iranian woman and that kind of took away from some of her statements. Because she had freedoms that others did not.
Woman and men should be seen as equal abs the people should have a voice.
This was a very moving and powerful story about feminism, political justice, and freedom. I loved how outspoken Forugh was, even towards political leaders.
Even though Forugh was a woman, she still had an immense amount of privilege compared to the average Iranian woman and that kind of took away from some of her statements. Because she had freedoms that others did not.
Woman and men should be seen as equal abs the people should have a voice.
sunshine_ghost's review
5.0
This book is just fantastic. The prose is heartachingly beautiful, the pictures the author paints of Iran (the landscape, the life people live, the culture and food) are fascinating and vivid. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is OUT OF THIS WORLD.