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A review by jiujensu
Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran by Shahrnush Parsipur
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.