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alexainsworth's review against another edition
4.0
I almost always rate Non-Fiction 5 stars but everyonce in a while one of them just doesn’t hit quite right at the right time. I think I forced myself too much to finish this when I should’ve savored the end. I loved the first 60% and then it dragged for me when I had to read the documents from her father’s trial. I do think this author has stunning use of language and if she ever writes more I will definitely pick it up!
professorhelmkenreads's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and most especially the author for sharing this copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
Written by Neda Toloui-Semnani, "They Said They Wanted Revolution" is a memoir about her life and experiences as an author, journalist, and as a daughter of Iranian activists. The writing style varies, tying in the author's background as a journalist to meld memories, research, interviews, and notes to tell a her story through the lens of the political upheaval she experienced as an Iranian emigrant, specifically through the lens of her family's experiences.
I enjoyed this book despite not typically reading memoirs or non-fiction, and found the author's writing style to be really easy to follow despite the different types of styles used in this work. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.
Written by Neda Toloui-Semnani, "They Said They Wanted Revolution" is a memoir about her life and experiences as an author, journalist, and as a daughter of Iranian activists. The writing style varies, tying in the author's background as a journalist to meld memories, research, interviews, and notes to tell a her story through the lens of the political upheaval she experienced as an Iranian emigrant, specifically through the lens of her family's experiences.
I enjoyed this book despite not typically reading memoirs or non-fiction, and found the author's writing style to be really easy to follow despite the different types of styles used in this work. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.
kinseyelise's review against another edition
3.0
This memoir covered a wide range of the author and her parents’ lives and was a very interesting look into the lives of Iranian Americans before, during, and after the Iranian Revolution (which I don’t know much about). The book covered slices of life all the way to 2021, and seemed very intentionally researched. The author’s parents are both dead, leaving her to rely on other friends and family, as well as historical documents and news sources, for accounts of all that happened. It’s also about her discovering who she is and blending her American and Iranian culture. Toward the end she includes many diary entries and emails between herself and her family, which is a departure from the rest of the book’s construction, but made me feel even more connected to the author and other characters.
skerhawx's review against another edition
3.0
A mixed bag -- Toloui-Semnani is clear about her process in writing the book, which becomes a sort of mix of personal memoir, investigative journalism, and historical fiction. Her description of the family's flight from Iran is gripping, and is written in a compelling way. But she shifts from her beautiful prose to an edited transcript of her father's trial, and then a collection of her own diary entries.
Had she woven those items into her story it would, no doubt, be a better book. As it is, this is a good book that could've been a great one, with a bit more cohesiveness and structure.
Had she woven those items into her story it would, no doubt, be a better book. As it is, this is a good book that could've been a great one, with a bit more cohesiveness and structure.
circlesofflame's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, despite covering interesting themes, the structure, non-chronological narrative and POV overcomplicated this book and made it difficult to get absorbed into the story.
bowheath12's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one I was not expecting to like let alone love (I’m not a fan of non fiction) but I fell in love with this families story and I kept reading and kept reading. I learnt so much about history of Iran and i adored this book!
whataboutzana's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5