This is quite an extraordinary idea - a book group of women reading banned western fiction in post-revolution Iran. Azar Nafisi writes beautifully, but in many ways the book is more eloquent in its silences than its words. There are harrowing descriptions of the chaos of the revolution and paeans of praise about the redeeming qualities of literature. Somewhat densely layered and with too many agendas at times, it's still worth a damned good try, at least up to the trial scene.

Got this from BellaD on the weekend, thanks!

UPDATE 13-NOV-2007: Reserved for Neuilly, as her original bookring has stalled.

Remaining ring participants are:

- lmn60 (australia - intl)
- Breeze144 (canada - can/us pref) - already read
- monkeyflower (california, usa -?) - already read
- vzfamily (ohio, usa - us) - already read
- Rrrcaron (new hampshire, usa - intl)

I've sent a PM to lmn60, so hopefully this book will be continuing a bookring (and starting its own journey) rsn!

UPDATE 26 NOV 2007: Sorry for the delay (I had to host Mr Bear's fifth birthday party, which is no mean feat! 48 cupcakes! plus another 24 for daycare!), but it was popped in the post today. Happy reading!

Wonderful! I'd give up on this one - thanks tqd! Of course, with the usual serendipity this one arrived with two other bookrings/rays - but I'll get to it ASAP.

I'm running behind on this one - blame the 'silly season' of Christmas/New Year celebrations and obligations, but should get to it within a couple of weeks. Just wanted to keep you updated!

I'm sorry to break up the order of this but I forgot to journal it before it went out to complete the ring. Thank you so much for continuing this ring!! I think the original got lost in Egypt - I hope not confiscated! Anyway, it was generous to continue this and I look forward to reading everyone's entries!

I REALLY wanted to like this book... but found myself increasingly irritated by Nafisi's 'scattergun' approach to her story.

The style seemed to be a mixture of discussion of literature (which at times was interesting, at times ponderous); and a memoir of her book club. Sadly, though, the women who participated were sketchily drawn and I often found myself confused as to who was whom!

I think that an effective editor would have helped enormously with this book - Nafisi needed a firm hand to 'get on with' her story and engage her readers on an emotional level.

I'm glad I've read this... but was disappointed overall.

Thanks for sharing it Neuilly. Breeze144, monkeyflower and vzfamily have all already read this one, so I've PMed Rrrcaron in hopes that I can soon forward this one on.

I'll let you know when I hear back from her.

Sent off to Rrrcaron on a slow boat to the US!

Received this in the mail yesterday. Will pass on soon. Ruth

I really enjoyed this read. It made me appreciate my freedom as a female here in America., and it also made me realize that my love for reading fiction novels is somehow more relevant. Both the friendships of these few woman and the the thought provoking discussions of literature had me turning the pages for more. Thanks so much for sharing this read.
Ruth

This just arrived today from a new friend bookcrosser in nearby New Hampshire, thank you for thinking of me and being so spontaneously generous, Rrrcaron! This is a good summertime read... having recently seen the marvelous film Persepolis, I think much may sound familiar, too. Happy Summer!

A very good summer read and a reminder that we are very lucky to be females living in America. How else than but such books can we have any glimpse of what it might feel like to be living in Iran (of course, I suggest strongly seeing the film Persepolis, too.... a great tie-in and a good film, even though it is animated). It reminds me that I still want to read some of these novels which I have never gotten around to, like Lolita and The Great Gatsby. Must live to 120 to get to all the ones in the Wish List.... I am sending this along to another bookcrosser down in Florida now!

Thank you so much for sending this to me as a RABCK!
This is going on my massive TBR pile.

:)