A review by serendipitysbooks
In the Time of our History by Susanne Pari

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 In the Time of Our History opens with Mitra reluctantly returning to her family’s New Jersey home to mark the one year anniversary of the death of her sister, niece and nephew, an important custom for her Iranian American family. What slowly unfolds is a complicated family drama involving the mother-daughter relationship, the relationship between sisters, grief, immigration, culture, gender roles, and patriarchal family structures. And secrets, particularly one which has underpinned much of the family dynamic over the years, and could well threaten several relationships if it is brought to light . Although set in the 1990s the story includes important flashbacks to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. I found it to be beautifully written, nuanced with many layers, and featuring multi-faceted characters who had more depth than their archetypes might suggest. It was the sort of story I could easily sink into and one I really enjoyed reading. 
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