Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

a must read to have an inkling of middle-east mentality and its suppression of women

Eye opening

Reading Lolita In Tehran is a true story about freedom and captivity, gentleness and brutality, love and war. The reader is horrified at the indignities heaped upon women and at the same time touched by the small victories that keep them struggling on through the harshness of daily life. Great writing and a riveting story.

great writer

Nafisi is a brilliant writer and teacher, and this comes through in her novel. Anyone who wants to glimpse inside the culture of Iran, or those teach (like myself) will find this book both enlightening and useful.

Iran under Islam

In her book, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi remembered that in the 1960s,
'It was not the fashion to think that our culture was not compatible with modern democracy. "We all wanted opportunities and freedom. That is why we supported revolutionary change, we were demanding more rights, not fewer. '

Even with the few rights she had, she later went on to become a professor of Persian studies at local universities. She brought a love of literature into many lives that may have been overcome by having to follow the religious beliefs of those in power during their generation.
Although Nafisi fought to remain unveiled, adamant that the symbol of the veil should not be used as a political sign , she allowed some of the students in her classes to influence the curriculum. In those days a teacher could be fired based on a student's report of her. And Nafisi was 'anxious' that she be well received by her students , even going so far as to hold a mock trial during the study of The Great Gatsby.
Many institutions used Iran for their own selfish ends, from the Regime itself to foreign powers and political parties. These forces and the roles they played in individual lives frustrated the people. Many people felt powerless or disillusioned, many even resented the interference. Yet, the small country grew into a major political power now recognized globally and respected in their own right.

The Book Group from Heaven in a Living Hell

I loved this book. It gave me an inside view of life in Tehran, the lives of women and girls in changing and difficult times. This book demonstrated how books can be universal in illuminating women's experiences. I loved the idea of bringing food and drink to the book group. My group share cake, wine, fruit and chocolate too, much to the disdain of partners and a rival reading group.. This is where I was introduced to this book. Thank you book group.