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farrahjune's review against another edition
4.0
The story was interesting and kept me wanting to read more, especially during the second half.
I was sometimes somewhat perturbed by the way that iranians and Iran were often portrayed throughout the book. I do understand that the story takes place a few decades ago and that views and certain behaviours might have been different or seen in a different light then. However as a half iranian myself I can't help but think that despite the few nuanced descriptions or addition of some positive aspects of our culture and the people, most readers that aren't familiar with Iran will mostly see its people as uneducated or weird, even potentially like savages after reading the descriptions from this book. I feel like the author didn't do quite a good job of separating the government and the people, even though those issues are discussed several times. Probably it's because of the way that the author (who is iranian also) actually views the situation and thus I respect their opinion but feel like it's a shame if it leads some people to misunderstand some aspects if the culture, especially during these times of revolt from the people in Iran and its implications as well as the US's stigmatization of the country.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book and felt for the characters, a truly heart-breaking story. It was sometimes empowering and well written, not redundant and nice to have different pov to keep it interesting. I cried, laughed and smiled, and felt like giving a phone call to my mamanbozorg
I was sometimes somewhat perturbed by the way that iranians and Iran were often portrayed throughout the book. I do understand that the story takes place a few decades ago and that views and certain behaviours might have been different or seen in a different light then. However as a half iranian myself I can't help but think that despite the few nuanced descriptions or addition of some positive aspects of our culture and the people, most readers that aren't familiar with Iran will mostly see its people as uneducated or weird, even potentially like savages after reading the descriptions from this book. I feel like the author didn't do quite a good job of separating the government and the people, even though those issues are discussed several times. Probably it's because of the way that the author (who is iranian also) actually views the situation and thus I respect their opinion but feel like it's a shame if it leads some people to misunderstand some aspects if the culture, especially during these times of revolt from the people in Iran and its implications as well as the US's stigmatization of the country.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book and felt for the characters, a truly heart-breaking story. It was sometimes empowering and well written, not redundant and nice to have different pov to keep it interesting. I cried, laughed and smiled, and felt like giving a phone call to my mamanbozorg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
mmrohbock's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5â on đ§
I've heard nothing about this book but got it on a whim the library after seeing it at Target... And it was amazing?! If you enjoyed Olga Dies Dreaming and want to learn more about Iranian American culture, this needs to be on your TBR and this book needs to be on everyone's radar!!
This book starts with bringing together a large Iranian American family in 1998 to celebrate the one year of life since the passing of the youngest daughter, which causes a clash of both grief and family estrangements. The eldest daughter Mitra goes in search of sister's secrets and it causes her to completely change how she thinks about her life, while the mother Shireen finally realized her own strength in the presence of her overbearing husband.
Seeing how these women claim their own power while respecting their culture and figuring out what it truly means to be Iranian American was empowering and beautiful but also made me so mad when they experienced overt sexism and just some truly awful men and challenging cultural norms. I loved these characters so much and I will be thinking about for a long time. Truly a gorgeous novel rich with culture and strong female characters, this a must read as we watch Iranians protest their government and continue to see these strong people unite.
Content warnings for drugged rape, unexpected pregnancy, assault sexism, slut shaming, cheating and car accident.
I've heard nothing about this book but got it on a whim the library after seeing it at Target... And it was amazing?! If you enjoyed Olga Dies Dreaming and want to learn more about Iranian American culture, this needs to be on your TBR and this book needs to be on everyone's radar!!
This book starts with bringing together a large Iranian American family in 1998 to celebrate the one year of life since the passing of the youngest daughter, which causes a clash of both grief and family estrangements. The eldest daughter Mitra goes in search of sister's secrets and it causes her to completely change how she thinks about her life, while the mother Shireen finally realized her own strength in the presence of her overbearing husband.
Seeing how these women claim their own power while respecting their culture and figuring out what it truly means to be Iranian American was empowering and beautiful but also made me so mad when they experienced overt sexism and just some truly awful men and challenging cultural norms. I loved these characters so much and I will be thinking about for a long time. Truly a gorgeous novel rich with culture and strong female characters, this a must read as we watch Iranians protest their government and continue to see these strong people unite.
Content warnings for drugged rape, unexpected pregnancy, assault sexism, slut shaming, cheating and car accident.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Child death, Car accident, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Death
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Deportation and War
bookmaddie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book snuck up on me. I didn't love the writing style at first, but as I read, I slowly found myself more wrapped up in the story and soon enough, I'd look up and I'd somehow read 60 pages in what felt like a flash. Pari has crafted a layered family story that feels undeniably real. Grief is at the heart of this story, and Pari examines its ebbs and flows with grace, and shows how memories can come upon you like a summer storm. Grief begets transformation, and in this story expectations are upended and hard truths are unearthed to create a previously unimaginable future.
I must admit that Mitra, the main character, annoyed me throughout a lot of this book, and even now, I'm not sure if I really like her? Even so, I yearned for her to heal and learn, and it was immensely satisfying to see her as she stumbles, then strides into her new, altered, everyday. I absolutely adored Mitra's mother, Shireen, and her transformationâboth as a character, and how we gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of her as the narrative goes on.
A story about loss, mothers and daughters, healing, and forgiveness. A smashing and unexpected read!
I must admit that Mitra, the main character, annoyed me throughout a lot of this book, and even now, I'm not sure if I really like her? Even so, I yearned for her to heal and learn, and it was immensely satisfying to see her as she stumbles, then strides into her new, altered, everyday. I absolutely adored Mitra's mother, Shireen, and her transformationâboth as a character, and how we gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of her as the narrative goes on.
A story about loss, mothers and daughters, healing, and forgiveness. A smashing and unexpected read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Car accident, Sexual assault, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, and Rape
amobrien's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
In the Time of our History follows an Iranian American family in the aftermath of the death of one of the sisters. Set in the 90s with reflections on the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the story touches on family, immigration, grief and culture. While it does have a slow start, this story is definitely worth sticking around for!
In the Time of our History follows an Iranian American family in the aftermath of the death of one of the sisters. Set in the 90s with reflections on the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the story touches on family, immigration, grief and culture. While it does have a slow start, this story is definitely worth sticking around for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
stw07's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
The beginning of this book is like every adult literary fiction novel that made me never want to make the jump from YA to adult books. Boring drivel about wealthy middle-aged people who are sad about their unfulfilling lives.
LUCKILY the second half surprised me by being way more interesting. Everyone was still rich and the main character Mitra was still incredibly irritating but I grew to really like the rest of the side characters, and the plot went in a direction I actually cared about (mainly the development of a chosen family).
I still was left wishing the book had given more insight into some of the other characters, mainly Olga (Was it ever revealed how she had been forced to leave the US and why she couldnât return? Did I just miss that?) and Mitraâs sister.
LUCKILY the second half surprised me by being way more interesting. Everyone was still rich and the main character Mitra was still incredibly irritating but I grew to really like the rest of the side characters, and the plot went in a direction I actually cared about (mainly the development of a chosen family).
I still was left wishing the book had given more insight into some of the other characters, mainly Olga (Was it ever revealed how she had been forced to leave the US and why she couldnât return? Did I just miss that?) and Mitraâs sister.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Classism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest and Racial slurs
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