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msgtdameron's review against another edition
5.0
Marvelous novella. Not just a read about Iran or feminism, but about life and choices. The ability to make choices. To live fearlessly in spite of abuse, assault, rape, even your own death. A chorus to all of us to be us and be fearless.
ladymirtazapine's review against another edition
5.0
A fabulously woven story of five entirely different women brought together through the power of magical realism and then parted again by actual realism.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read - still a wonderful book
For the past few years, I have traveled to Washington DC and stayed a few days just to visit the museums. Plus, I live in Philly, so it’s like a two hour train trip. I’ve learned that the smaller Smithsonian tends to have the more interesting exhibits. I discovered a love for Whistler’s etchings at the Freer, and at the Hirshorn, I discovered that I do like some modern art and video installations. It was at the Hirshorn last summer that I heard of this book.
Last summer, the museum had a major exhibit of Shirin Neshat’s work, and if you are like I was at the time, you are going who. She is Iranian and is known for her photography and videos. If the show is anywhere near you, I highly recommend you go. Neshat’s art is powerful and beautiful. At one point in the show, there was a clip and significant verbiage about Neshat’s film adaptation of this novel. The book itself was not in the bookstore, so when I finally sat down to read it, it was with so trepidation that it would not live up to the hype in my head.
It does.
When one reads Women without Men, it is easy to understand why Parsipur is living in exile. It is a feminist book that will anger many conservatives, in particular conservative men in power, angry. Yet, for all the short space that it inhibits it is a work of sheer brilliance. I cannot thank Neshat and the Hirshorn enough for introducing me to this book.
Women Without Men, despite its title, does in fact have men in it, and not all the men are bad. To call the book anti-male would be incorrect. Parsipur relates the lives of different women from different levels of society who came together briefly in a garden before going their separate ways. Each of the women, from the prostitute to the high society wife, has been constricted in some way by society. One of the brilliant aspects of the novel is that not all the women are likable.
Perhaps the most accessible, and most challenging to power structure, is Munis who changes the most and becomes one of the fulcrums that the other women turn around (Mahdokht is the other. It is no surprise that these two women go though the most and the least changes). Her reaction upon learning something is just so human, even in this tale of magical realism. What happens to Munis and her eventual fate in many ways is the heart of the novel (and no surprise that part of the arc was the clip from the film shown in the Neshat exhibit). The fates of the women are in part dictated by the society in which they live as well as the roles forced upon them by that society. In many ways, the book references the Garden of Eden, but almost as a place of renewal and peace.
It’s a beautiful novel.
For the past few years, I have traveled to Washington DC and stayed a few days just to visit the museums. Plus, I live in Philly, so it’s like a two hour train trip. I’ve learned that the smaller Smithsonian tends to have the more interesting exhibits. I discovered a love for Whistler’s etchings at the Freer, and at the Hirshorn, I discovered that I do like some modern art and video installations. It was at the Hirshorn last summer that I heard of this book.
Last summer, the museum had a major exhibit of Shirin Neshat’s work, and if you are like I was at the time, you are going who. She is Iranian and is known for her photography and videos. If the show is anywhere near you, I highly recommend you go. Neshat’s art is powerful and beautiful. At one point in the show, there was a clip and significant verbiage about Neshat’s film adaptation of this novel. The book itself was not in the bookstore, so when I finally sat down to read it, it was with so trepidation that it would not live up to the hype in my head.
It does.
When one reads Women without Men, it is easy to understand why Parsipur is living in exile. It is a feminist book that will anger many conservatives, in particular conservative men in power, angry. Yet, for all the short space that it inhibits it is a work of sheer brilliance. I cannot thank Neshat and the Hirshorn enough for introducing me to this book.
Women Without Men, despite its title, does in fact have men in it, and not all the men are bad. To call the book anti-male would be incorrect. Parsipur relates the lives of different women from different levels of society who came together briefly in a garden before going their separate ways. Each of the women, from the prostitute to the high society wife, has been constricted in some way by society. One of the brilliant aspects of the novel is that not all the women are likable.
Perhaps the most accessible, and most challenging to power structure, is Munis who changes the most and becomes one of the fulcrums that the other women turn around (Mahdokht is the other. It is no surprise that these two women go though the most and the least changes). Her reaction upon learning something is just so human, even in this tale of magical realism. What happens to Munis and her eventual fate in many ways is the heart of the novel (and no surprise that part of the arc was the clip from the film shown in the Neshat exhibit). The fates of the women are in part dictated by the society in which they live as well as the roles forced upon them by that society. In many ways, the book references the Garden of Eden, but almost as a place of renewal and peace.
It’s a beautiful novel.
alexyssj's review against another edition
5.0
I watched the film before I read the book, both were for class and I enjoyed them thoroughly. The class was about adapting literature to the screen and this book was adapted deftly with twists unique to the film. This book was entertaining and thoughtful each character was three dimensional and compelling and at times frustrating, but this is what makes the story so compelling and rich. I enjoyed reading about how these women's stories were intertwined with the garden and political uprisings in Tehran and the elements of magical realism added something special to the book. I recommend watching Shrin Neshat's Ted Talk and articles about both the book and the film to become truly immersed in the story.
katja00's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
jiujensu's review against another edition
3.0
I think there's a lot more here to process, but I'll write a few things.
I'm diving in not being as familiar with Iranian fables and history as I'd like. There were of course the themes and characteristics typical of (both Christian and Islamic) cultures - both reflected in the women and the things they wanted to free themselves from, but I think the strongest message was the latter.
One of the best images was the woman who planted herself in the ground, became a tree and spread seeds all over the world. Not able to travel, crushing unfulfilling expectations are common to more than those in Iran- becoming a tree is a perfect image of freeing oneself. For this and the other four women, their stories have more specific symbolism, but I enjoyed the fantastic unexplainable elements and finding freedom where little exists.
Touba and the Meaning of Night is also suggested. I might see how that one compares. I wish I could read them in the original language.
I'm diving in not being as familiar with Iranian fables and history as I'd like. There were of course the themes and characteristics typical of (both Christian and Islamic) cultures - both reflected in the women and the things they wanted to free themselves from, but I think the strongest message was the latter.
One of the best images was the woman who planted herself in the ground, became a tree and spread seeds all over the world. Not able to travel, crushing unfulfilling expectations are common to more than those in Iran- becoming a tree is a perfect image of freeing oneself. For this and the other four women, their stories have more specific symbolism, but I enjoyed the fantastic unexplainable elements and finding freedom where little exists.
Touba and the Meaning of Night is also suggested. I might see how that one compares. I wish I could read them in the original language.