a8bhatia's review
3.0
I tried to read this book a number of years ago, but could not get past the first few pages, and so I was a little worried about picking it up again. However, I didn't really seem to struggle in the same way this time around. Despite that, the book is a slower read, and at parts was a bit tedious and boring. It can be disjointed, and sometimes it was hard to know what point Azar Nafisi was making.
However, Azar Nafisi does make some excellent points, there are some compelling stories and insights into the Islamic Regime and I loved reading her analysis of the books and reading in general. Though I wish I read some of the novels she discussed before reading this book.
Overall, not a bad read.
However, Azar Nafisi does make some excellent points, there are some compelling stories and insights into the Islamic Regime and I loved reading her analysis of the books and reading in general. Though I wish I read some of the novels she discussed before reading this book.
Overall, not a bad read.
booksbecreads's review
4.0
Hate this book at the start (in fact the whole way through part I), it was full of spoilers of books I hadn't read and mostly wanted to and not nearly enough about life in Iran, I found that this is where the rest of the book picked up and where I really got interested in the author, what she had to say and the way of life in Iran during that period of time.
Due to my loathing of the second hand book market in Australia I give my books away once I've finished (to hospitals or animal charity shops),someone I use to work with was horrified by the concept and reading this book gave me insight to this perspective, books were hard to come by at times and the thought of not holding onto those beautiful words is perhaps something people don't comprehend.
Stick to this one, make sure you get past Part I and it will be a great read with a beautiful ending (the last few paragraphs are superb).
Due to my loathing of the second hand book market in Australia I give my books away once I've finished (to hospitals or animal charity shops),someone I use to work with was horrified by the concept and reading this book gave me insight to this perspective, books were hard to come by at times and the thought of not holding onto those beautiful words is perhaps something people don't comprehend.
Stick to this one, make sure you get past Part I and it will be a great read with a beautiful ending (the last few paragraphs are superb).
shahrun's review against another edition
3.0
This book caught my eye as my father is from Tehran. As far as I know (nearly) all his family are still there, so I picked it up to get an insight into what their lives might be like. I found the book quite hard going at times. It extensively I references books and authours I am not familiar with (of them all I've only read Austen). I felt like I had accidently stumbled into an academic essay, not a memoir. In some places, referencing the works was appropriate, when the author was contrasting and comparing real life with what was being read by her and her students. I can understand why she felt the need to indulge in her discriptions of her favourite authors works, because it is her life's work and passion. But it doesn't make the book very accessible to those who are unfamiliar with them. For me personally the book really got interesting with discriptions of Iran, it's people, culture and everyday living. It didn't make good bed time reading for me because the bad things that go on there are unpleasant enought to read about, with out realising your family are living through it too. It's such a pity that people had to be protected, becaue I love a memoir with photos of the people and places mentioned. So having got thought the book, I would say the journey was worth it for me. And how glad am I to have been brought up in England! Although I really would love to be able to visit Iran one day. I really hope for the day the People, religion and law are in harmony.
seanamcphie's review
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Torture, Suicide, War, Violence, Death, Grief, Murder, and Police brutality
marryallthepeople's review
2.0
I struggled through it but the writing was neat. I think that others would like it more than I did so don't reading anything into my review! Also if you had read all the books in the book you might appreciate this foray into classicism.
axl98's review
4.0
I read "Reading Lolita in Tehran" for school. Despite that, I still enjoyed reading it. The insight into Iranian culture was unlike any I have read before, and I learned a lot. It isn't a fun book, not really, but the stories of book club made you smile along with the girls. Though you could understand the book without having read every book mentioned, it's better if you have. The sections on Lolita and the Great Gatbsy were more important to me, because I could agree or disagree with the authors opinions on them. On the others, I was taking her word for it.
caseykoester39's review
4.0
The structure of this book is quite unique in that it is part memoir, part history lesson and part literary critique. Professor Nafisi shares her early life in Iran, how that life was changed and shaped by the revolution and then how she quietly rebelled against the regulations by creating a secret class to read and discuss famous historical novels. She captures the indignities women suffered with incredible poignancy.
And through it all, she gently explains -without judgement- how her young women students viewed famous works like Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby through their lens of post-revolution Iran. These young women were not allowed to speak to a man not related to them on the street, wore long black robes and scarves to cover themselves at all times in public and could not wear makeup (just for starters). They were harassed on the street by enforcers of the revolution and could be arrested at any moment for imaginary infractions. Young women spent years in jail for being too beautiful or showing too much hair. To understand (with Prof Nafisi's help) their view of these novels and how the novels gave them an escape from their lives of constant fear gives new meaning to each of the famous tales.
And through it all, she gently explains -without judgement- how her young women students viewed famous works like Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby through their lens of post-revolution Iran. These young women were not allowed to speak to a man not related to them on the street, wore long black robes and scarves to cover themselves at all times in public and could not wear makeup (just for starters). They were harassed on the street by enforcers of the revolution and could be arrested at any moment for imaginary infractions. Young women spent years in jail for being too beautiful or showing too much hair. To understand (with Prof Nafisi's help) their view of these novels and how the novels gave them an escape from their lives of constant fear gives new meaning to each of the famous tales.
clementineforks's review
4.0
This book is the reason I'm seeking a second M.A., this time in English.
nle2004's review
5.0
If I had been reading this book earlier, it would be a solid 5 star read. It has all a great memoir book should have - structure, plot, environment, emotions, beautiful language.
But I was reading it in 2022 in Russia. Every chapter is about my feelings and my frustration. Though we do not have to veil our faces, we have to live with the same feeling of being absolutely helpless and humiliated.
So, it's not a regular read for me, it's a very personal account of life in a grossly unjust, cruel dystopian world. And it shows that what can help are people who care about you, books that bring the world closer to you and your own inquisitive mind.
But I was reading it in 2022 in Russia. Every chapter is about my feelings and my frustration. Though we do not have to veil our faces, we have to live with the same feeling of being absolutely helpless and humiliated.
So, it's not a regular read for me, it's a very personal account of life in a grossly unjust, cruel dystopian world. And it shows that what can help are people who care about you, books that bring the world closer to you and your own inquisitive mind.
soniek's review
3.0
Azar Nafisi was a university professor who ran a secret book club for her female students where they read and discussed foreign literature (mostly American, European & Russian) in Iran under the Islamic Revolution.
There are 3 aspects to this book:
1) The several books read & taught by Nafisi, and the critical analysis of the books and their writers
2) The contemporary social, religious & political situation in Iran under the Islamic Revolution, with focus on the gradual suppression of ideas and practices, the curb on speech and expression, the radical ideologies of the youth.
3) The impact of literature & the new Islamic regime upon the lives of Nafisi & her students
The plot weaves through these 3 aspects throughout the book.
While the language is moderate and easy to read, Nafisi & her students analyze the literary works and their authors, and draw parallels from them into their own lives. These portions could get a tad difficult for readers who aren't serious students of literature or who haven't read the books mentioned.
But then the book also provides glimpses of life in Iran & its people under the regime, and their equation with other countries like Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and the plight of Iranian women. But the most delightful is the point where literature meets real life. Nafisi reads Lolita in a country where "One Thousand & One Nights" & Rumi are banned! She likens the life & situation of herself & her students with Lolita & Gatsby. The radicalization of her male students is exhibited when one of them sues The Great Gatsby, not the man but the book itself! They hold a mock trial of the book in her class. Likewise, someone wants to sue Jane Austen.
The book does seem a little stretched and disorganized at places. It seems repetitive too. But the novelty of its concept and my limited knowledge about Iran made it a passable reading for me.
There are 3 aspects to this book:
1) The several books read & taught by Nafisi, and the critical analysis of the books and their writers
2) The contemporary social, religious & political situation in Iran under the Islamic Revolution, with focus on the gradual suppression of ideas and practices, the curb on speech and expression, the radical ideologies of the youth.
3) The impact of literature & the new Islamic regime upon the lives of Nafisi & her students
The plot weaves through these 3 aspects throughout the book.
While the language is moderate and easy to read, Nafisi & her students analyze the literary works and their authors, and draw parallels from them into their own lives. These portions could get a tad difficult for readers who aren't serious students of literature or who haven't read the books mentioned.
But then the book also provides glimpses of life in Iran & its people under the regime, and their equation with other countries like Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and the plight of Iranian women. But the most delightful is the point where literature meets real life. Nafisi reads Lolita in a country where "One Thousand & One Nights" & Rumi are banned! She likens the life & situation of herself & her students with Lolita & Gatsby. The radicalization of her male students is exhibited when one of them sues The Great Gatsby, not the man but the book itself! They hold a mock trial of the book in her class. Likewise, someone wants to sue Jane Austen.
The book does seem a little stretched and disorganized at places. It seems repetitive too. But the novelty of its concept and my limited knowledge about Iran made it a passable reading for me.