A review by atcucchetti
The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar

4.0

 

“A moment carrying in its womb the past and future”

Translated from Farsi this beautiful, lyrical story tenderly balanced the brutality of the 1979 Iranian Revolution with family bonds and growing love stories. Threaded with magical realism weaving ghosts and djinn throughout and narrated by the ghost of the daughter killed in a house fire set by the Revolutionary Guard. Steeped in Persian myth and reflective or Zoroastrianism, I appreciated the explanation for everything from musical instruments to political figures provided by a rich collection of footnotes.

A great selection for readers who ordinarily read fantasy but are looking to read more translated works; readers who enjoy rich backstories; magical realism and difficult historical periods delivered with a delicate hand.