Customer Reviews Amazon Reviews

someone's story, November 27, 2006

This is a story not of a world in which I grew up but it is one in which my wife grew up. For that I thank the author hugely. Some feel pain and see black, some feel pain and see red, few can feel pain and see the truth.

James Cox
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Monday, May 08, 2006
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/may_06.htm#fiction

"A strong and powerful intimate tale of one family's greatest struggle in a time of pain for all, May 8, 2006 A timeless novel, Persian Dreams by author and poet Maryam Tabibzadeh is the superbly crafted and engaging story of three people whose lives and struggles propel them through one hundred years of history in a country of everlasting poverty, continuous political struggle, and the destructiveness of war, Persian Dreams follows the diverse character setup of Talah, a woman striving for survival after the loss of her second husband, Baback, Talah's first son whose struggle with faith and religion becomes his greatest in the midst of a growing love affair,

and Baback's daughter Nosha who relentlessly aims to escape the second-class citizenship forced onto the women of her country. Persian Dreams is very highly recommended reading as a strong and powerful intimate tale of one family's greatest struggle in a time of pain for all. "

Barnes&Nobles site
Thursday, May 04, 2006
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=1587364867&itm=4

"A reviewer, a history lover and writer.,May 4, 2006,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Love stories reveal Persian history and roles of women I was drawn into the plot through the plights of the articulate characters, all of  whom were well woven together into this orderly collage of Persian experience. The amount of Persian poetry (translated) was amazing.

The author had memorized all of it and it flowed smoothly into the story line. I don't usually have the patience for novels, but this was an exception. Besides its ability to capture my mind and time, it was an easy path to explore the intricate political and cultural worlds of Persia  (Iran). I could not put this book down."

A reviewer, someone who enjoys reading autobiog, 05/26/2006

A true story of my land

-A very exciting novel. First time in history a novel happens in region I come from which is written in English! Part of the novel even happens in my  little hometown. My friends from different parts of the world are reading through this book the history of my land and the region I grew up. They

can now picture the society I come from, from my great grandmother generation to the current time. I was so deeply in the book that I could not stop reading it even at the breakfast table or in the bath. I enjoyed reading it on the porch while listening to birds singing in a beautiful weekend of

April which would simulate the air of Kazeroon at this time of the year. It brought me melancholy! I could picture myself on the roof where I spent many nights of summer reading. I remembered those nights on takht, counting the stars until falling sleep. I pictured delicate weather of spring with fragrance of orange blossoms in air. I remembered harsh winters with hale, storm and flood. -Written in the style of Persian fairy tales, one feature of the novel is that the story starts in far past and matures in present. This is unlike most of the novels that start in present and then take back the reader to the past. Because of this feature, the style of the novel becomes unique  and takes the style of the Persian fairy tales. That is, reader witnesses the retelling of the events i.e. we hear the story of Tala’s life which we have already read about (since the story started in the past) as she  tells her biography to her curious granddaughter, Nosha (as happens in present). Poems are the highlight of the book. They are as if  Rumi had versed them for this novel for particular scenes of the tale!

An email to me from a reader on 9/20/2006

By Debbie Shafeei Raleigh, Nc

" I just wanted to share some of my thoughts regarding your wonderful book! Congratulations on writing such a moving novel about  the "Persian dream"! I enjoyed the history, cultural context, social issues & psychological struggles each generation faced. My favorite  character was Nosha; perhaps her story was one I could "understand" somewhat. In any case, it brought me to tears several times! (what a wonderful romance!) It also took me to a new level or degree of "understanding" not only of the Persian people, but of the depths & dimensions of all people who struggle and survive and become stronger, focused & determined. I will read it again and

recommend it several times over! The ending was poignant. Thanks for sharing your insight through this novel, I look forward to your next one!!

 

Early Praise for Persian Dreams:
-

"Persian Dreams, Tabibzadeh's quietly powerful debut novel, weaves the stories of various Iranian women in the early 20th century trying to gain rights in a strictly patriarchal society. The story's heroine, Nosha, wants to become a medical doctor- an ambitious desire in an era governed by conservative tradition. Tabibzadeh delicately takes the reader through a personal history of Iranian

women's rights: from the years of traditional obedience at the mercy of their husbands and fathers to the 70s, when it was common  practice for womenvto vote, go to college, and choose their own spouses. Each story uniquely manifests the courage of women brave enough to protest against a violent, abusive, male-dominated society. At the same time, the author presents the beauty of

Persian poetry and its role as the voice of an oppressed nation crying for change. Each character represents a different social  position, and together, they form a delegation of classes that make up Iranian society. Many women accepted their low status passively because the male population determined the extent of their social roles; not all women were in a position to challenge

this system, as can be seen in the characters Leah and Roodabeh. However, other women, like Nosha, exemplify those who were aware of the injustice of gender discrimination and considered the fight for natural rights a patriotic duty. By trying to become  a medical doctor, Nosha forges a place for herself as an individual in her society. Tabibzadehs elaborate and lavish descriptions

of places, events, and characters take the reader into the heart of Persian culture; with the books conclusion comes a real understanding of the struggle Iranian women have gone through, and the history behind their hard-won rights so far!!!
BY: Shahnaz Peyman Pal Alto, California


"A sweeping tale of romance and adventure. Thats often what we hear with regard to works depicting foreign lands, broken hearts, and love unrequited. Maryam Tabibzadeh incorporates so much more in her achingly visual recounting of life in Iran across the vivid political and cultural span of the last century. She gives voice to the struggles of women wanting to be heard, to be counted, and to be  loved and offers answers through the eyes of men shaped by a nation that no longer exists. The stories - and there are several – are wrapped in the lilting poetry of Persia. I suggest you read it in a quiet secluded place, so you can hear the movement of the sand...
By: Alexis Dobbins CEO, writeRelations.com "