I’m getting into the swing of things now in my new home. Just recently bought a couch set (I’m sure there is a correct name for that, but can’t remember what it is), and been busy doing DIY stuff around the house. It’s hard to find spare minutes for yourself but when I do I’ve been sitting down to read this next instalment in my project.
Hide your Emotions!!!
Reading Lolita in Tehran is a memoir of Azar Nafisi, an English Lit teacher in the Iranian Capital. The book centres around a private book club that Azar organises to allow her more talented students to have more private voice when discussing various works of western literature. This ‘private voice’ is a haven for these young girls. Throughout the book we find out more and more of the tyranny against the Iranian people. Especially the women.
And this is the central theme of the book. The personal and intellectual oppression of the Islamic regime. The very title gives us a hint at this. In Nabokov’s novel (I haven’t read it but I’ve saw Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation), Lolita meets an older man and he falls in love with her. He is so besotted by Lolita that he refuses to let her live the life of a normal teenager. Lolita is forced to find devious ways to rebel against her oppressor and she eventually leaves him.
Much like Lolita, the girls in this novel have to deal with outrageous suppression in their day to day lives. They can’t show their hair (MY SISTER, GUARD YOUR VEIL. MY BROTHER, GUARD YOUR EYES) not allowed to express emotion, they are forbidden to touch another person in public, even to shake a hand. Many people are jailed or executed for showing signs of spontaneity or free expression.
The book is full of personal anecdotes giving us an idea of just how far and away our society is with that of an Islamic regime. I wont go into them here, but if you are remotely interested in the subject then I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Azar Nafisi
This book will stick in my head. It was tough going at times but it has given me a great insight into Islam. It reminded me of that video where the Iranian woman was killed at a protest against the election fixing and the constant issues we hear about human rights violations in Iran. Judging by what Azir Nafisi has seen and heard I’d say their is some serious shit going on that has to stop.
Best one in the project so far!
Rating: 
I’m not sure what to do about the next instalment in my project. My Kindle is due to arrive in a few days and the next couple of books on my list are not in the Kindle store yet! What I might do is jump ahead and read the ones that are available and then go back whenever they are released (15,000 new kindle books added a week I’m told!).
The old fashioned name was 3 piece suite, typically a three seater and 2 armchairs for either side of the fireplace for Mother and Father. I’m told (repeatedly) by my old dear that young couples would either get one as wedding present or would save for years for the good one that’d last them till retirement. Now us young whipper snappers go out and buy them willy nilly to match the decor.
Not sure if that book would be my cup of char but as it’s non-fiction and sounds quite interesting, I suppose I could add it to the “might buy” list. I prefer real life to “stories”.
Good review as always.
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