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glaybor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nith's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kbaj's review against another edition
2.0
A book about political imprisonment, solitary confinement, and torture will necessarily be a dark and depressing story, and so this book was. I have no problems with the story itself, which was actually interesting and pressing, but I didn't enjoy reading it. It made me feel gross inside, which I suppose could very well be an aim of the author. But everything was described in the most disgusting way possible, even relatively happy events. There was no joy in this book, which is appropriate but not very pleasant to read.
rojo25's review against another edition
4.0
This book shows how a totalitarian government causes havoc on society and individual freedoms. Very engaging and an eye opener. It takes place in Evin Prison.
emoryscott's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
This is the first I’ve read of this author, and I am absolutely in love. Throughout the book, the scene-setting was incredibly thoughtful and detailed. I felt like I was sitting in a corner of the room, watching each scene play out. One of my favorite parts includes captivating descriptions of tea. Absolutely stunning imagery. I felt like I was floating through Yunus’s memories, just through his descriptions of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Grief, Police brutality, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism, Confinement, Gore, Murder, Torture, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Excrement, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War and Violence
bookwormdaily's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“My ears shut themselves to the outside world, yet I could hear the squeals of my muscles and bones pleading for help.”
“Every driver sat behind the wheel in fear of an accident that could ruin him. And we were supposed to just shut up and drive. Of course we went on strike.”
This book is a story about Yunus, a normal bus driver in Tehran. He join the other bus driver union to attend the strike to voice out their lamentation towards Iran’s government that related to their rights and how the government should provide good facilities to their job, also to protest the arbitrary action of the police that arrest their friends who found not guilty of any criminals behaviour.
Because of this strike, he gets arrested and thrown into prison. This book talked about how Yunus during those persecution days and also about his life in the past and how he is the ‘easy target’ for the police to be indicted although he didn’t do anything wrong.
This book fills me with rage, because of the injustice and inhuman events that keep happening. The writing style and the way the author describes each scene are very detailed which is why I found it somehow disgusting, and out of mind to imagine this torture could happen in real life.
The characters were very morally grey. They are not entirely good but also not bad like they have reason and experience why they’ve done those things, but still, I can’t justify their action.
This book shows me how dilapidated the cops, the government are, and the people who think they have power and can freely torment other people. I really hate the scene when they force Yunus to confess that he has committed a crime while in reality, he hasn’t. If Yunus didn’t do as they told him, he would be tortured physically and mentally.
Full of physical abuse, and injustice scenes. Sometimes I need to take a break in between reading. Iran's conflicts and how it has consequences for its people are so heartbreaking to read.
Although there is a certain plot, hit and miss, also the characters building isn’t being described that well, I still enjoy my time reading the book while learning so many things about this country and the nightmare that they have faced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, War, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
farmersmarketfruit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
jennms_qkw's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this book browsing at my public library, Millcreek branch. It was an overview of Tehran before and after the revolution, and the story of one bus driver caught up in a work action and how he was changed by solitary confinement and torture.
amaralily's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0