Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Esfehan 'half the world' Comes to Life August 8, 2008
As someone whos ancestors are from Esfehan, Amirrezvani brought the colors and images recorded in my distant childhood memory of Esfehan back to life. The book paints a beautifull picture of the struggles of Women and girls in 17th century Persia. A fun read.
A real page-turner! August 7, 2008
This tale of an woman coming-of-age and seeking to find her own voice through the traditional craft of carpet weaving is set in 17th century Isfahan, Iran.
The author weaves traditional Persian folklore, a touch of Kama Sutra and descriptions of the culture in a way that you truly visualize the deep indigos and crimsons of life... one knot at a time. The result is a page-turner, and written work that honors the authors heritage. Can't wait to see what this author turns out next!
Beautifully written July 22, 2008
If you liked "The Kite Runner" or "A Thousand Splendid Suns", you'll enjoy this beautifully written story about a 17th Century Persian girl who struggles to live a life of her own choosing in a time when women had few choices. When her father dies unexpectedly, the 14-year-old girl and her mother leave their tiny village for the metropolis of Isfahan and the home of her uncle. Her uncle, who is charged with making luxurious carpets for the Shah of Iran, teaches the girl all he knows about designing and crafting the finest of Persian carpets. The uncle's wife treats his niece and his brother's widow like servants, and encourages the girl to accept the proposal of a wealthy horse breeder to become his "temporary wife"...a custom that favors the man, but permanently limits the girl's prospects for an honorable marriage. The story is lushly enhanced by Persian fables and offers an inside look at time-honored techniques for creating the finest in Persian carpets.
 The Blood of Flowers July 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I thought the book was interesting. I learned some new things about Muslims. It reminded me of A Thousand Splendid Suns, but it wasn't nowhere near as good though. I didn't really care for the ending, because it just left the reader kind of lost. It had some sensuality in it that could be considered smutty by some readers.
 Wonderful Characters In A Compelling Story July 16, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I would have given this book five stars but for some problems I have with the writer. Firstly, the protagonist is left unnamed, for no apparent reason. She's an amazing young girl, and the book is essentially her coming of age story. To leave the main character unnamed requires a compelling reason. There wasn't one. Secondly, the author's poetic descriptions are repetitive. How interesting is it to hear someone described as looking like the moon, sun or stars? And to hear it repeatedly? That said, I loved this book.
The protagonist and her mother were struck with tragedy in their contented lives and had to leave their southern Persian village to live with distant relatives in Isfahan. Despite their wealth, Gostaham (the protagonist's half uncle) and Gordiyeh, his wife, treat their relatives like servants and begrudge the costs of keeping them. Desperate, and penniless, there are few ways for two lone woman to provide for themselves. But the protagonist has a talent for knotting rugs and an unquenchable desire to excel at it. Her uncle, who is the head of the Shah's rug workshop, teaches her, and marvels at her abilities, and bemoans the fact that she's a she. Despite her skills, she is also head-strong, and ultimately gets herself and mother banished from their relatives' home.
Ultimately, it's her desire to excel at rug making that makes her examine her life, requiring the same standards for her personal expectations that she requires for her work. Getting there is painful, but like learning a craft, worth it.
This is a wonderful first novel. I look forward to her next book.
|
