Iranian French author Reza’s first novel is a gripping account of Iranian history viewed from the perspective of the Amir family. We meet Sardar and his bride, Talla, as they set out from their small village, Ghamasar, around 1920. The story of the ebb and flow of their marriage, their son, Bahram, and their growing prosperity is intertwined seamlessly with Iran’s mid-twentieth-century turmoil, an inside-out view that offers fascinating and invaluable insights that reach far beyond newspaper headlines. Reza’s use of the Iranian calendar is a subtle reminder of alternate versions of recording history. Her characters demonstrate that complex and endearing human beings are at the core of all historical narratives, and that while leaders come and go, everyday lives have their own trajectory. Hunter’s excellent translation allows English readers to enjoy how Reza effectively interweaves vivid storytelling and insightful commentary. This engaging novel is a must-read for anyone interested in trying to understand the true nature of Iran, a country often demonized in the West but that Reza reveals as a place of universal human experiences.
