Embroideries (SqueakyChu's Bookray)
47 journalers for this copy...
I've become a big fan of graphic novels and seriously enjoyed Persepolis by the same author. I'd love to share what I like about them with others who appreciate graphic novels or newbies who want to begin to explore them. Take a chance on this one.
When I finish reading this book, it will travel as an international bookray. Enjoy!
Begin International Bookray - 4/04/07:
SqueakyChu (Maryland, USA) done
Isabel-Batteria (Puerto Rico) done
icekween01 (Missouri, USA) done
Joanthro (Colorado, USA) done
Minerva101 (Canada) done
KarenZero (New York, USA) done
BooksnBeer (Virginia, USA) done
mfa (Portugal) done
Triggerfish (UK) done
AnglersRest (UK) done -- Stop # 10
chelseagirl (UK) done
Beebarf (UK) done
chich (France) done
ETMadrid (Spain) done
penelopewanders (Switzerland) done
book-man-8 (Germany) done
Sternschnuppe28 (Germany) done
VeganMedusa (New Zealand) done
Hengameh (Iran) done -- 1 year of travel
sudokugirl (Bosnia-Herzegovina) done -- Stop # 20
wanderingstar8 (UK) done
red-dianthus (Canada) done
azuki (Florida, USA) done
Ilios (Florida, USA) done
MaryZee (Maryland, USA) done -- 2 years of travel
cisco (California, USA) done
UnwrittenLibra (Maryland, USA) done
kobie03 (Canada) done
AliceF (UK) done
katrinat (UK) done -- Stop # 30
Tregossip (UK) done
KiwiinEngland (Ireland) done
zzz (Serbia) done
okryhoe (Greece) done
kasenka (Finland) done
Jean-Sol (Australia) done
Carole888 (Australia) done
Sherlockfan (New Zealand) done
snufkin81 (South Africa) done -- 3 years of travel
Elddau1 (Australia) done --Stop #40
D-face (Australia) done
NMReader (Virginia, USA) done
pashmack (Florida, USA) done
KateKinTail (Virginia, USA)
End International Bookray - 8/09/10:
The bookray ended because I could find no more takers for it. I asked that it be mailed to KateKintail who manages the OBCZ (official Bookcrossing zone) for BC in DC (the DC area Bookcrossing group). It seems that there is a newly sparked interest in this book among BC in DC members, so I'm hoping that this book will continue along its merry travels in the future. At the end of its journey, this book has been travelling for 3 1/2 years and will have had 44 stops in 15 countries, including 8 states and territories in the USA.
Thanks, everyone, for a most successful bookray!!
ETA: On 09/21/10, this book was #24 on the BookCrossing List of Top 100 Most Travelled Books.
I take this book to mean that not all marriages or sexually-related issues are unhappy for Iranian women, but that here are some issues that are often not pubicly discussed for a variety of reasons. In this book, Iranian woman are being urged to reveal their secrets to one another.
The book is funny, ribald, enlighting, and sad all at the same time.
I love the artwork. Even though from page to page the same set of faces appear, they are so full of emotion and expression. You'll get to like this group of ladies!
Enjoy the book, everyone. It's a real treat!
This book is now in the mail to Isabel-Batteria in Puerto Rico.
Thanks so much for the uber fast delivery, SqueakyChu. I will do the same.
Thanks!
Thanks for making this available SqueakyChu! Mailed to Minerva101 today. Enjoy!
:)
It was cute and odd. The anecdotes told by the ladies in the story were something else! I didn't like the old lady on opium - what a sad existence.
:(
I also enjoyed the simple illustrations.
I will most definitely go on to read both the Persepolis books after reading this.
Thanks for sending this out to share, SqueakyChu!
I will mail it off to KarenZero tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing it, SqueakyChu!
Released 16 yrs ago (6/9/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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Sent along to the next reader!
This was my first graphic novel and I really enjoyed it – the simple pencil type drawings didn’t allow you to get away from the messages presented in the story. But, I didn’t really get the ending.
I will definitely look for Persepolis I and II.
I have the next address; I’ll be passing this along shortly.
i'm a big satrapi fan (thanks to persepolis), and t's been quite some time since a bookring came my way... so, i'm looking forward to reading this.
from a feminist perspective, it''s always interesting to realise different cultures always try to deny women their sexual rights - there''s always the odd lady who stands up for the right to be happy, but be it iran or most of europe, a lot has to be done yet.
posted to Triggerfish in scotland last week.
The book is described as a memoir, so I am rather horrified that Satrapi outed her grandmother as a drug addict in a comic book!!
Thanks to all for sharing and passing book along.
Posted to AnglersRest on 13th august.
I have chelseagirl's address, so this is in the post as soon as I can get to the post office.
I'll pass this on to beebarf as soon as possible.
Although it's not for the prudish (let's just say it's not cross stitch they are talking about when it comes to embroidery...) it's a great insight into the lives of ordinary Iranian women, and shows that despite the cultural differences, women everywhere have the same concerns. Perhaps if more people read this, there would be less fear of the "Axis of Evil" in the world.
The book has been mailed today to the next reader.
Released 16 yrs ago (12/18/2007 UTC) at Bookring in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Happy Holidays to all previous readers!!!
You're absolutely right SqueakyChu, this is a real treat, thanks for sharing it with us!
I've PMed ETMadrid for her address and will send her the book as soon as she gives it to me.
14/01/2008 This has had two readers whilst with me. My husband, not yet entirely pro the concept of bookcrossing, actually read this before I did! We both whizzed through it (it's very short - perhaps too short) and both liked it. It made me chuckle out loud quite a number of times. Like the style and the underlying observations. (One little bit though I guess to an easily-influenced reader might be taken to be advocating plastic surgery, which I'm not sure is such a wonderful idea...) It did feel like I was sitting in amongst the women (though the shortness of it doesn't allow one to get too ensconced) and I was reminded of when sitting amongst girls of my age in a family in Algeria, talking about a marriage proposal received from an older man living in France...
This was indeed a lightning read. Thanks for sending it and making it available. I enjoyed it, even if this is not my favorite genre. (Graphic novels, I mean). Waiting for confirmation of book-man 8's address.
Released 16 yrs ago (1/24/2008 UTC) at BookRing in ☑ 'Controlled Release' > Country > Province > City, .---controlled release---. Switzerland
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Now on its way to Germany. Enjoy!
Released 16 yrs ago (1/31/2008 UTC) at Post office in -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Baden-Württemberg Germany
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This book is off to "Sternschnuppe28". Enjoy!
"Embroideries" continues traveling to VeganMedusa tomorrow.
Hilarious stories, but tragic of course. Immensely likeable women. Amazing how many ways women can be abused in such a rigidly controlled society.
And I loved the ending (although kind of abrupt I think it worked). Poor Satrapi. ;)
My favourite part: What white stuff? (The whole image of that story will keep me giggling for weeks)
Thanks SqueakyChu & Sternschnuppe28. :)
Posted to hengameh today, economy - should take 15-25 days.
Thanks for sharing, SqueakyChu.
Sent to wanderingstar8.
The book was great , my husband and I both loved it.
An interesting read and an eye-opener into the lives of Iranian women. Thanks so much for sharing the book, and I hope to see more of Satrapi's work.
I will contact Ilios and hopefully get to mail this on when I visit the post office next week.
I think the last graphic novel I read (also a bookring, several years ago) was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. A very different style. I was very sad for the women in this story, and I found it rather surprising as they wove their tales and shared their gossip that Satrapi was in the very next room.
I have Cisco's address and will be mailing this on to her later this week.
4/24/09 - This was a fun and fast read. Although not as engrossing as Satrapi's Persepolis books, I enjoyed having "tea" with these women and learning more about their lives and culture.
Waiting to hear from UnwrittenLibra to send the book on its journey.
4/21/09 Received in El Granada, CA! Thanks MaryZee - will get into this one over the weekend coming up.
Will mail to next participant.
Released 14 yrs ago (7/3/2009 UTC) at Lewins Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
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mailed to AliceF.
Looking forward to reading this; currently half-way through another ring book, so this will be next.
Got katrinat's address; will be posting next week.
Thanks for sharing
26/09/09 Haven't recieved next address yet, sending another pm now in case it has been missed
Released 14 yrs ago (10/2/2009 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off on its travels, enjoy
and read in half an hour, first impression was disappointing.
So gave it another read today and not changed my mind.
My 1st graphic novel and my mistake as understood graphic novel as giving a vivid description/graphic account - -oops
Will pm next in line today
Released 14 yrs ago (10/7/2009 UTC) at St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom
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On it's way again
Will read ASAP.
Like Veganmedusa my favourite part was "what's this white stuff".
Strange to think that Europe is seen as a mythical place of fun and freedom...
Awaiting next readers address
Posting to the next in the ring airmail via An Post.
Released 14 yrs ago (11/4/2009 UTC) at BookRay, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Serbia
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This book is on its way to Greece as of today.
While waiting okyrhoe's address I loaned book to my friend to kill the time while waiting me and she's delighted! Now I'm loaning her "Persepolis" as well :)
Cheers to everyone!
Thanks SqueakyChu for including me in the ring, and zzz for posting the book to me!
Also for the drunken carp!
Thanks SqueakyChu for the opportunity to read this. It's a small book, and 'reads' very quickly in less than an hour. I found myself taking time to observe the artwork instead, which is deceptively simple at first. I recently read Women without Men, and I find that Satrapi's light and humourous touch is more effective than the didactic pro-feminist approach of Shahrnush Parsipur.
There's a theatrical adaptation of Embroideries playing in Athens this season, and I may decide to go see the play.
I'll send this to Supertalya as soon as I get her address.
EDIT 18 Jan. 2010
Supertalya asked me to skip her on this ray so I will send the book (via surfacemail) to Jean-Sol who's next.
Released 14 yrs ago (1/18/2010 UTC) at
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I sent the book today to Jean-Sol, happy trails!
Updated on 7 Feb 2010: this was such a quick and wonderful read! I read it in one evening, after having finished a harrowing 700 pages book just before. It was refreshing. I read Persepolis and loved it, this book is to me the continuation of the same themes. Satrapi's style is sharp, elegant and to the point and I like that. She has a strong message for women not only in Iran, but all over the world. I hope that she carries on spreading the word. Go Marjane!
I'll get the book packed and ready to go to Carole888 at the other end of Australia.
Released 14 yrs ago (2/7/2010 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Embroideries is on the road again!
(3rd March, 2010)
I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read this book. I loved it. The pictures are simple, yet add so much more to the impact of the tale. I felt for those poor women, loved the cheek and humour in the telling of their stories but I also and kept thinking about women all over the world who have to endure a life such as theirs ...... Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I have the next reader's address and will be sending it on shortly.
Released 14 yrs ago (3/9/2010 UTC) at Perth City, Western Australia Australia
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The book is travelling now. Thank you so much to everyone who helped it on its journey and to SqueakyChu for organising the bookray. Happy reading!
(Aus Post tracking no: RP003103429AU)
By an odd coincidence I received Persepolis yesterday, having tracked down a copy after first reading Persepolis2 and deciding I really like Marjane's style of writing. Looking forward very much to reading this. Thanks to everyone involved in sending this book around and specially to SqueakyChu for starting this ring.
The book detoured through my daughter who doesn' write journal entries but also enjoyed the novel approach to communicating ideas.
Delighted to have been part of this bookring and will be posting it off today.
Once again thanks to all involved in its journey, and especially SqueakyChu for sharing it in the beginning.
Released 13 yrs ago (4/2/2010 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Hope the book travels safely. Such a joy to read and share.
What a great, fun read! I've read Persepolis, which I thought was brilliant; this book is lighter but just as informative in its own way of Iranian culture and the life of Iranian women. I was very surprised by how liberated the women in the book are! How very different to my expectations!
Thanks so SqueakyChu for starting this ray, and Sherlockfan for sending it to me.
I'll send it on once I have the next person's address.
Released 13 yrs ago (5/31/2010 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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After reading Persepolis I and II I'm looking forward to this.
Thanks snufkin81 for sending it to Australia.
It’s a very quick read - I would have read it in one sitting except that it was getting late.
I was startled by some of the things mentioned in the book - it's a bit graphic (no pun intended). It’s like ‘secret women’s business’. Having said that, I loved being on the inside of the women’s circle of confidence. Satrapi has a way of bringing you into the story - was it the immediacy that the drawings give? or her familiarity with the members of the circle of friends and family?
Again, I loved seeing Satrapi’s world and experiencing a little of her Iranian life. Amazing how women have the same issues - although I’m glad that I grew up in a western culture and in modern times. The ‘traditional’ values of some in the book, towards women, their status and sexuality, were appalling to me.
An interesting and moving book with a serious subject, given more immediacy and punch by the medium of the graphic novel. It was a more light-weight read than Satrapi’s Persepolis I and II, possibly because of the cobbled nature of the all the women’s individual stories - there was no continuous story line.
I felt a little uncomfortable and squeamish at times - it's not light entertainment - but I can say that I’m very glad I read it.
Many thanks SqueakyChu.
________________
Finished in time to hand to the next reader on the list, at the Canberra BC meet-up on Saturday. or I'll post it.
Released 13 yrs ago (7/6/2010 UTC) at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia
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I really enjoyed hearing the various experiences and narratives of the women meeting together over tea, not that there are many positive depictions of men. I am sure Ms D-face will enjoy it.
This slim and enjoyable book is about to travel again over the seas.
I am not a huge fan of graphic novels but this was an interesting look into Iranian women's lives.
Waiting for an address to mail this out.
Thanks again, SqueakyChu.
My thoughts:
I haven't read Persepolis but I did see the movie, so I was already familiar with the style of storytelling and art. The subject matter took me off guard at first with its bluntness. But the thing that first startled me was also what I most admired the book for. It felt so real; like you were sitting in the living room with this group of women and talking with them. Their dialogue was so realistic and familiar; I know people who would have replied that way or would have reacted to the stories that way.
I went back and forth from being a little shocked to amused. But most of all, I just liked hearing the stories, knowing they were real, and feeling for the different characters in their unique situations. Without evev trying, it speaks to the culture and the situations these women find themselves in that are different from my culture, but it's also a book of personal accounts/narratives so you can't be broad and apply those to everyone. That's what makes the book both broad and specific at the same time.
It ended a bit too abruptly for my liking (I'm not sure I get the last line, actually, *blush*) and I had trouble keeping a few of the women straight in my head (was SHE the one with the friend who so-and-so or was she the one who did such-and-such?). And it certainly didn't pack the same sort of punch that Persepolis or Fun Home or Maus did. But I did enjoy the read and think it works quite well as a memoir in graphic novel format.
Local bookring:
melydia
LittleWhiteBird
KateKintail
Thanks for sharing this. I'm going out of town for the weekend but I'll see how best to hand it off to LittleWhiteBird next week.
The simple graphics where the most distinguishing features are the facial expressions and features of the women kind of underline the things that the women are saying. I was a bit surprised at all the sexual themes they were talking about. It was a bit sad to hear about so many marriage troubles and the things the women would try to improve things. It's strange how they don't realize that in many ways "Western" women have similar problems. Although it was shocking to see that "embroidery" mentioned as a solution in such a flippant way. Although the women have many modern ideas mixed in the traditional culture, they seem to be very naive and uneducated in some areas at the same time.
I did remember that I had gotten the book from a local bookcrosser, but had all forgotten that it goes back to katekintail. I'll give it back to her at the next BC meeting.
Released 12 yrs ago (1/28/2012 UTC) at Ballston Common Mall in Arlington, Virginia USA
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