Veil of Roses (copy 2)
15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Received 07 Feb 2007 - from the author
As part of a discussion on LibraryThing, Laura contacted me to find out how she could get some reviews for and discussion on her novel via BookCrossing. I offered to have a copy, read and review and share it on a BookRing with the BookCrossing community. The book arrived, with a nice card, and thanks for taking it on.
This book is *wonderful*. We follow the story of Tamila Soroush, whose Iranian family save up and present her with a passport and airliine tickets to go to America and stay with her sister. Life in Iran is circumscribed and the marriage prospect she has to come back to is worrying. In America, she discovers new freedoms, but stays true to her individual and moral self - I was particularly pleased about this aspect. She makes friends among the immigrant community through her language class (these characters were beautifully drawn) and meets all sorts of men, Iranian and otherwise, in her believable but heartbreaking quest to find a man to marry before her visa runs out.
Romantic, touching, funny and obviously told from the heart (Fitzgerald is married to an American-Iranian and dedicates her novel to the women of Iran) this was right up my street, and a very good example of the fish-out-of-water or immigrant-experience genre.
If you like Amy Tan, Funny in Farsi or Pomegranate Soup, or if you have a *heart*, for goodness sakes, you will love this.
This is the second copy, bought to send on a bookring.
As part of a discussion on LibraryThing, Laura contacted me to find out how she could get some reviews for and discussion on her novel via BookCrossing. I offered to have a copy, read and review and share it on a BookRing with the BookCrossing community. The book arrived, with a nice card, and thanks for taking it on.
This book is *wonderful*. We follow the story of Tamila Soroush, whose Iranian family save up and present her with a passport and airliine tickets to go to America and stay with her sister. Life in Iran is circumscribed and the marriage prospect she has to come back to is worrying. In America, she discovers new freedoms, but stays true to her individual and moral self - I was particularly pleased about this aspect. She makes friends among the immigrant community through her language class (these characters were beautifully drawn) and meets all sorts of men, Iranian and otherwise, in her believable but heartbreaking quest to find a man to marry before her visa runs out.
Romantic, touching, funny and obviously told from the heart (Fitzgerald is married to an American-Iranian and dedicates her novel to the women of Iran) this was right up my street, and a very good example of the fish-out-of-water or immigrant-experience genre.
If you like Amy Tan, Funny in Farsi or Pomegranate Soup, or if you have a *heart*, for goodness sakes, you will love this.
This is the second copy, bought to send on a bookring.
Journal Entry 2 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Book Ring!
This book is going on its travels! Please go by the basic rules or let me know if you have a delay or difficulty...
1. Journal the book when you receive it.
2. PM the next person and make a note that you've done so.
3. Read and review the book, preferably within 4 weeks of receiving it.
4. Mail the book to the next person. PLEASE put on a JE or release note when you've done this.
SHIPPING ORDER:
Charlie-ferrett UK (anywhere)
akg UK (checking)
Cross-Patch UK (UK)
Birmingham-Rose UK (UK)
Juliako UK (anywhere)
Retromonkey UK (anywhere)
Azuki US-Florida (US pref)
Mrsordonez US-MO (US only)
UnwrittenLibra US-MD (anywhere)
[[[Fairydustwings US-Ohio (US only) skipped - out of contact ]]]
Valentina1209 US-New York (US/Canada)
Bluestocking88 US-Washington (US/Canada)
JerrilynnL US-Colorado (Anywhere)
Rrcaron US-New Hampshire (anywhere)
GateGypsy Canada (anywhere) <---- it's here
BookRay - I already have a copy - so this can travel on however it wants now!
This book is going on its travels! Please go by the basic rules or let me know if you have a delay or difficulty...
1. Journal the book when you receive it.
2. PM the next person and make a note that you've done so.
3. Read and review the book, preferably within 4 weeks of receiving it.
4. Mail the book to the next person. PLEASE put on a JE or release note when you've done this.
SHIPPING ORDER:
Charlie-ferrett UK (anywhere)
akg UK (checking)
Cross-Patch UK (UK)
Birmingham-Rose UK (UK)
Juliako UK (anywhere)
Retromonkey UK (anywhere)
Azuki US-Florida (US pref)
Mrsordonez US-MO (US only)
UnwrittenLibra US-MD (anywhere)
[[[Fairydustwings US-Ohio (US only) skipped - out of contact ]]]
Valentina1209 US-New York (US/Canada)
Bluestocking88 US-Washington (US/Canada)
JerrilynnL US-Colorado (Anywhere)
Rrcaron US-New Hampshire (anywhere)
GateGypsy Canada (anywhere) <---- it's here
BookRay - I already have a copy - so this can travel on however it wants now!
Journal Entry 3 by LyzzyBee at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, April 1, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (4/2/2007 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to Charlieferrett to start off the bookring!
Posting to Charlieferrett to start off the bookring!
Journal Entry 4 by charlie-ferrett from Dudley, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, April 12, 2007
This is a book ring. I was passed the book by Lyzzybee. She very kindly posted it to me to read over my Easter break. I am so glad I decided this should be my first bookring. I started to read it and gradually became more and more enrossed in it. Tami is an amazing character, so well written that I can imagine her hopes and fears. The other characters add to this story in such a way that I could see the various shades and ideas encapsulated in it. Fantastic. Time to pass it to the next person in the ring.
Sorry for being a poor bookcrosser.
I have had this for longer than I should before reading because I've just been off books the last few months. However when I made myself sit down and start this book I found it engrossing and finished it within a day. I have previously taken part in a ring for Reading Lolita in Tehran which is more autobiographical. I enjoyed this book a lot more because the writing style flowed and pulled me into the characters and their feelings; even though my knowledge on Iranian women is limited to these two books I felt connected to Tamila and could feel the emotions she was experiencing.
This book has also been waiting to be posted out for the last week, but work has been so hectic that I haven't been able to go to the post office. I will be on my way there in a few minutes to post it on to Cross-Patch.
I have had this for longer than I should before reading because I've just been off books the last few months. However when I made myself sit down and start this book I found it engrossing and finished it within a day. I have previously taken part in a ring for Reading Lolita in Tehran which is more autobiographical. I enjoyed this book a lot more because the writing style flowed and pulled me into the characters and their feelings; even though my knowledge on Iranian women is limited to these two books I felt connected to Tamila and could feel the emotions she was experiencing.
This book has also been waiting to be posted out for the last week, but work has been so hectic that I haven't been able to go to the post office. I will be on my way there in a few minutes to post it on to Cross-Patch.
Journal Entry 6 by 
Cross-patch
from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Arrived. I have read none of the above 'like' books, but this one has a good feel about it. I am so influenced by covers!!
Journal Entry 7 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 8, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 8, 2007
I have just this minute finished reading, and I am still envelopped in the emotion of it. Tami is such a credible heroine, very strongly written - especially so in the love/hate tinged with sisterly fear relatonship with Maryam. This book is a keeper - write many more, Laura Fitzgerald, there's a need for warm, heart-touching stories like these. Thank you, ring members, for keeping it moving, and LyzzyBee for discovering it for us.
I am waiting for the next address.
I am waiting for the next address.
Journal Entry 8 by birmingham-rose from Burntwood, Staffordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Received in the mail this morning. I am really looking forward to this one.
Journal Entry 9 by birmingham-rose from Burntwood, Staffordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 1, 2007
This book was a wonderful and beautiful tale. It was emotional and superbly written. I was drawn into every part of the story and felt Tami's fears and anxieties. I loved the character Eva, she was very funny, and Ike, well what can I say about him, apart from one thing ~ where could I meet him...lol
This has to be one of my favourite books this year, possibly one of my all time favourite books. I'm giving this 10/10. Please write more Laura!!
Thank you Lizzie for sharing (and Laura Fitzgerald for writing it), and I hope it touches many more readers hearts as much as it did mine.
Will be handed to Juliako when I see her next....
This has to be one of my favourite books this year, possibly one of my all time favourite books. I'm giving this 10/10. Please write more Laura!!
Thank you Lizzie for sharing (and Laura Fitzgerald for writing it), and I hope it touches many more readers hearts as much as it did mine.
Will be handed to Juliako when I see her next....
Journal Entry 10 by birmingham-rose from Burntwood, Staffordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 28, 2007
This is being passed onto Juliako today, sorry for the delay in passing this on. Arrangements have been difficult to make owing to holidays etc....
Journal Entry 11 by juliako from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, August 30, 2007
I had mixed feelings about this book. At the beginning I found it hard to take the "Isn't America wonderful" comments and wondered to what extent that was the author's perspective of how someone from Iran would feel - however, the author's husband is Iranian and so she has probably had many more conversations with women in similar situations to that of Tami so I don't want to argue this too forcibly. Also I would have liked more description about life back in Iran, as it felt most of the detail was about America. There was a line:
"Is this all people know of our culture?" I ask in wonder. "Cats and rugs?"
I certainly would have liked a bit more of the background culture to come through.
However, these are my personal preferences - for most people Laura Fitzgerald appears to have hit exactly the right buttons. And the book and the characters within it did grow on me. - And perhaps Lyzzybee will decide that I don't have a *heart*! (see her comments)
I would be also be interested in knowing if there are any autobiographies available of Iranian women coming to the west and reading about their perceptions, also of autobiographical books which include a time-period in which the time of the Shah is covered.
Thanks for sharing this - I have pm.ed Retromonkey for her address so that I can pass it on.
"Is this all people know of our culture?" I ask in wonder. "Cats and rugs?"
I certainly would have liked a bit more of the background culture to come through.
However, these are my personal preferences - for most people Laura Fitzgerald appears to have hit exactly the right buttons. And the book and the characters within it did grow on me. - And perhaps Lyzzybee will decide that I don't have a *heart*! (see her comments)
I would be also be interested in knowing if there are any autobiographies available of Iranian women coming to the west and reading about their perceptions, also of autobiographical books which include a time-period in which the time of the Shah is covered.
Thanks for sharing this - I have pm.ed Retromonkey for her address so that I can pass it on.
Journal Entry 12 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, August 30, 2007
Julia - you obviously have a "heart" in my book if you cared enough to want to know more! I think maybe the lack of a lot of background made it more accessible to the person reading for the first time about this kind of experience. I will ask the author if she can recommend some more in-depth and factual books, and will post a list on the original JE if I can get one!
Thanks for your honest and thoughtful comments!
Thanks for your honest and thoughtful comments!
Journal Entry 13 by retromonkey from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Received yesterday.
Journal Entry 14 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, September 21, 2007
Just a quick aside: the author came back to me with some info about other books on Iran and comments about the aim of the book, and I thought I'd share them with you all:
"Let's see -- I recommend Julia read LIPSTICK JIHAD by Azadeh Moaveni and
also THE SOUL OF IRAN: A NATION'S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM by Afshin Molavi.and
SEARCHING FOR HASSAN by Terence Ward.
I think her points regarding the book are solid -- I knew I couldn't write
about Iran a tenth as well as others already have, so I tried to write a
book for people who until recently didn't even know where Iran is on a map,
much less what life is like for the women who live there. It was a
light-touch approach, and I suppose all I can say is I'm pleased she's
wanting to learn more!"
"Let's see -- I recommend Julia read LIPSTICK JIHAD by Azadeh Moaveni and
also THE SOUL OF IRAN: A NATION'S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM by Afshin Molavi.and
SEARCHING FOR HASSAN by Terence Ward.
I think her points regarding the book are solid -- I knew I couldn't write
about Iran a tenth as well as others already have, so I tried to write a
book for people who until recently didn't even know where Iran is on a map,
much less what life is like for the women who live there. It was a
light-touch approach, and I suppose all I can say is I'm pleased she's
wanting to learn more!"
Journal Entry 15 by retromonkey from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A fantastic insight into a different world. Sorry I've taken so long with this book. Am sending it off to Azuki next.
Thanks, the book has arrived safely. As I will be traveling in a few days and would rather not take a ring with me (as it really wears the book, and I don't want to risk losing it) I will put this on the top of my TBR and start on it as soon as I returns.
A girl trying to catch a husband and meet this incredibly cute and compatible guy... it sounds very much like a chick lit but I am glad it is more than that. Tami is a very nicely written character, though I think Eva is a bit over the top and at times annoying.
Thanks for sharing this lovely book, and this will be heading off to the next reader soon.
Thanks for sharing this lovely book, and this will be heading off to the next reader soon.
So sorry I didn't journal upon receiving this! It's been read, and ready for the next on the list. I'll journal my thoughts when I get a second. Thanks for sharing!
still waiting to hear back from the next reader.... will send another email and then skip.
Received in the mail yesterday here in Amherst, Massachusetts...thanks, Lindsay!
Finished this book on Saturday. It was enjoyable, but in the vein of azuki's review, Eva was a little too pushy/over-the-top and sometimes the book didn't do it for me. Tami's level of English proficiency fluctuated a lot (at one point she says "clandestine," not even ordinary native speakers use that word!), but I really liked the ending, and the decidedly non-stock characters were refreshing. While not on the same level as Amy Tan, Gil Tsukiyama, or Firoozeh Dumas, it kept going very constantly and was definitely not a wasted read.
Will PM fairydustwings for her address. Thanks, LyzzyBee!
Will PM fairydustwings for her address. Thanks, LyzzyBee!
Off to valentina1209 today via Hadley, MA. Go book go!
Book arrived safely in New York today.
I was fascinated by this emotionally engaging story, which was surprisingly breezy to read despite its heavy subject manner. The author did an excellent job of presenting the Persian experience in contrast to life in America. Tamila was a well-draw character, with lots of warmth and depth, and the secondary cast of supporting characters provided added interest and some humor/quirkiness. At times, the book read like chick-lit! The inter-personal relationships are very well-presented.
Unless I misunderstood something, Tami was born in America and lived here until she was two years old. That makes her an American citizen, so there's no need to marry an American to stay in this country, which makes the basis for the plot non-existent. Regardless, this is still a well-told story about a woman who learns to adapt to a new society that is very different from the one she was raised in without losing the true essence of herself in the process.
While a worthwhile read, this book isn't quite up to par with Pomegranate Soup or Amy Tan.
I was fascinated by this emotionally engaging story, which was surprisingly breezy to read despite its heavy subject manner. The author did an excellent job of presenting the Persian experience in contrast to life in America. Tamila was a well-draw character, with lots of warmth and depth, and the secondary cast of supporting characters provided added interest and some humor/quirkiness. At times, the book read like chick-lit! The inter-personal relationships are very well-presented.
Unless I misunderstood something, Tami was born in America and lived here until she was two years old. That makes her an American citizen, so there's no need to marry an American to stay in this country, which makes the basis for the plot non-existent. Regardless, this is still a well-told story about a woman who learns to adapt to a new society that is very different from the one she was raised in without losing the true essence of herself in the process.
While a worthwhile read, this book isn't quite up to par with Pomegranate Soup or Amy Tan.
Journal Entry 24 by valentina1209 at bookring in bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 16, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (5/16/2008 UTC) at bookring in bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Keep Them Moving challenge release #33
sending to bluestocking88
sending to bluestocking88
Journal Entry 25 by Bluestocking88 from -- Wild released somewhere in the state, Washington USA on Wednesday, June 4, 2008
This book arrived yesterday, and I read it today. I enjoyed the story, especially Tami's character. I had trouble figuring out how to classify this book. It wasn't really a romance, or traditional chick lit--perhaps a cultural romance?
I liked using the English class as a cast of characters, but the language spoken by the classmates was pretty advanced for people needing English classes. I didn't understand why Tami wasn't open with Ike earlier. I would have liked to see Maryam and Tami come to a point in their relationship that they didn't need Ardishir as a go between to mend their fences. As the book was about a woman moving away from the control of men, I would have liked to see the two women working out their differences on their own rather than by Ardishir's explaination.
I am glad I read this book. I will pm the JerriLynnL and get it moving again asap. Thank you to LyzzyBee for sharing this book, and for all the previous readers for moving it along to me.
I liked using the English class as a cast of characters, but the language spoken by the classmates was pretty advanced for people needing English classes. I didn't understand why Tami wasn't open with Ike earlier. I would have liked to see Maryam and Tami come to a point in their relationship that they didn't need Ardishir as a go between to mend their fences. As the book was about a woman moving away from the control of men, I would have liked to see the two women working out their differences on their own rather than by Ardishir's explaination.
I am glad I read this book. I will pm the JerriLynnL and get it moving again asap. Thank you to LyzzyBee for sharing this book, and for all the previous readers for moving it along to me.
Journal Entry 26 by Bluestocking88 from -- Wild released somewhere in the state, Washington USA on Saturday, June 7, 2008
I sent this to JerrilynL in today's mail. Thank you again for letting me take part in this bookring.
arrived safely in Denver.
Great book. I went through it in two days wondering how it was going to end. It's easy taking a lot of small freedoms for granted when you are in a place that is not so restrictive. It was interesting reading Tami's perspective on things. Would love to see her photos -- too bad this is fiction! But a good story!
I've PM'd rrrcaron twice but it looks like she's taking a break from rings (per her posting in the forums). I hope this is still correct since I haven't heard from her. PM'd GateGypsy for her address...
6/28 - heard from Rrrcaron - yeah! So the book is off to NH.
I've PM'd rrrcaron twice but it looks like she's taking a break from rings (per her posting in the forums). I hope this is still correct since I haven't heard from her. PM'd GateGypsy for her address...
6/28 - heard from Rrrcaron - yeah! So the book is off to NH.
Journal Entry 29 by JerrilynnL at mail in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, June 28, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (6/28/2008 UTC) at mail in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Off to Rrrcaron in NH.
Off to Rrrcaron in NH.
I received this book in the mail today. I promise to get to it soon.
Ruth
Ruth
What a wonderful read this was. I laughed, I cried and I hated to see it end. The ending was the perfect one, after one heck of a ride to get there. I'm still in shocked awe that woman in Iran have to live this kind of life. I'm sending on to the next in line. My thanks for getting the opportunity to read this book!
Ruth
Ruth
LyzzyBee, I have another of your books! Another LOL -- I'll tuck this one into the shelf right next to the others and have them all back to you, well-loved.
Journal Entry 33 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, August 24, 2008
Thank you all the Ray members for reading, reviewing and passing the book on! The author enjoyed reading all of your comments.
GateGypsy - no need to pass this back to me as I have a copy of my own - find somewhere good to share it once you've read it!
Thanks again everyone!
GateGypsy - no need to pass this back to me as I have a copy of my own - find somewhere good to share it once you've read it!
Thanks again everyone!
Journal Entry 34 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Just to let everyone know, I have a copy of the new Laura Fitzgerald here available for bookring - please contact me in the usual way with location and mailing preferences if you'd like to join!
Finally got a chance to read through this book. I chose to read it in honour of a recently departed BookCrossing friend, AceofHearts. It was a book on her wish list that I happened to have. Now that I've finished reading it, I am wild releasing it in her honour here in Whitehorse, YT. I hope the next reader enjoys it and continues to pass on this very well-travelled book!
