Another book on Irn? Yes, but "The Septembers of Shiraz" is a must-read.

books:

	• The Septembers of Shiraz: A Novel (P.S.) Dalia Sofer Harper Perennial, 2008 - 368 pages average customer review:based on 55 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Not a read for Debbie Downer

I thought this book was beautifully and very vividly written. I love getting insight into other cultures and trying to relate to people that at first glance may seem so different than me. I would absolutely recommend this book and I look forward to future works by this author--however if you're looking for something "light" or uplifting.....this is not the book for you. Buy it, but put it aside and read it when you can handle it because the Iran described is a rough, unfair, misogynistic and frustrating place.

What a wonderful and moving debut novel

This is an incredibly powerful debut novel from Dalia Sofer. I had high expectations for this book after reading a very positive review by Claire Messud in the New York Times. Needless to say, "The Septembers of Shiraz" lived up to its advance praise and I highly recommend it.

The story centers on a Iranian Jewish family living in post-revolutionary Iran (1981). Isaac, the father, is a gemologist with a successful business. His life and that of his family is turned upside down when he unexpectedly arrested by the Revolutionary Guard and taken to prison. There Amin is physically, mentally and emotionally tortured for a confession about being a traitor and his connection to the deposed regime of the former Shah.

Meanwhile, Isaac's family, Farnaz (wife), Shirin (9 year old daughter) and Parviz (college student living in Brookly) struggle to cope with the imprisonment of Isaac. Sofer wonderfully captures the hopes, fears and challenges each of them face through their distinctively different perspectives and situations. Sofer does a wonderful job going far beyond the expected stereotypes to paint the complex nature of human relationships -- how these relationships exist in times of "peace" and how they exist in times of turmoil. Especially powerful is Sofer's exploration of Farnaz's relationship with their housekeeper Habibeh. Her son used to work for Amin and is now part of the Revolutionary Guard.

"Septembers of Shiraz" causes us to reflect on several sweeping themes -- how complicitous is an individual who benefits from a situation without directly supporting that underlying situation? Is it possible for power not to corrupt those when they go from ruled to ruler? What is one's connection to country vs. religion?

Sofer's writing is truly captivating. She writes with a simplicity and sense of confidence that is quite unique for a first time novelist. While she creates well rounded portraits of her characters, she really excels when dealing with the inter-relationships of those characters. Also, with very few exceptions, she does not cross over into the predictable.

Overall, this is one of the most compelling and satisfying books that I have read this year. I certainly hope that more people discover this book and get to enjoy a promising new literary voice.

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Septembers of Shiraz

Very interesting read. The author has a very special way of putting the reader there in Iran. I learned a lot about the people of this struggling country and the leaders. Definitely a page turner and will look forward to another novel by Dalia Sofer.

Another book on Irn? Yes, but "The Septembers of Shiraz" is a must-read.

"The Septembers of Shiraz" kept me on the edge of my seat. This is an "impossible to put down" book, well written and full of painful personal as well as political insights. Immerse yourself in this one.

Very good

A good first novel about a Sephardic family in Iran dealing with the Iranian revolution, and their son living in New York and dealing with his own outsider issues. It was a satisfying read and very well-written. Sometimes it seemed a little ponderous but it had some moving and touching moments and a little bit of suspense. I like the way the author started by throwing the reader right in the middle of the action and let the story and the characters blossom out from the center. I found the portrayals more or less balanced and the main characters likeable enough. A good read.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, page 8, 9, 10, 11

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