Jasmin Darznik
Author of The Good Daughter
About the Author
Works by Jasmin Darznik
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1973
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Iran
USA - Birthplace
- Tehran, Iran
- Places of residence
- Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Tehran, Iran
San Francisco, California, USA - Short biography
- Jasmin Darznik was born in Tehran, Iran and received her Ph.D. from Princeton University. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and other publications.
She has received awards and distinctions from the San Francisco Foundation, Marin Arts Council, Steinbeck Fellows Program, Zoetrope: All-Story, The Iowa Review, and the Norman Mailer Colony. She is a professor of English and creative writing at Washington and Lee University and has also taught Iranian literature at the University of Virginia.
She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Members
Reviews
Song of a Captive Bird: A Novel by Jasmin Darznik
Very well-written historical fiction regarding the life of Forugh Farrokhzad, a brave, creative woman who lived in Iran during much government upheaval. Forugh lived life on her own times and at great cost, including access to her dear son. She was also killed for her beliefs at the age of 31. The author let the reader take part on Forugh's life, but did not overwhelm me with details. This was also a good lesson as to part of the reasons many Persians have no use for Americanms.
“I loved Tehran’s relentless sun and heavy dusks and dusty side streets. I loved sleeping on the rooftop on summer nights and waking to morning’s call to prayer. When I walked in the streets, there was a memory at every turn, a rootedness I felt in my limbs and my heart. Whatever Iran wanted to be, I loved it. I’d found my life’s purpose here. Every poem I’d ever written was entangled with my country’s story. I loved its downtrodden, small-minded, generous people. I loved them; I belonged to them. They were my people, and I was theirs.”
Historical fiction about the life of a real person, Iranian poetess and film director Forugh Farrokhzad. It portrays what life was like in Iran, especially for women, before the 1979 revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. Set mostly in Tehran, it follows Forugh’s life – her rebellious nature, desire for self-expression, and the personal sacrifices she made in pursuit of art.
It is an excellent example of the use of fiction used to illuminate the past. This book gives the reader a vivid idea of Forugh’s personality – a woman of strong opinions, a risk-taker, and one who challenged the traditional views of a woman’s role. The writing is strong. The story is told in first person by Forugh, the only choice that does not quite work for me. The story portrays the complicated political climate in the 1960s during the last shah’s regime.
Darznik includes several of Forugh’s translated poems, which had been published then later banned in Iran. The author’s family left Iran in 1978, when Darznik was a child. I very much enjoyed this glimpse into Iranian culture and history.
4.5… (more)
Historical fiction about the life of a real person, Iranian poetess and film director Forugh Farrokhzad. It portrays what life was like in Iran, especially for women, before the 1979 revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. Set mostly in Tehran, it follows Forugh’s life – her rebellious nature, desire for self-expression, and the personal sacrifices she made in pursuit of art.
It is an excellent example of the use of fiction used to illuminate the past. This book gives the reader a vivid idea of Forugh’s personality – a woman of strong opinions, a risk-taker, and one who challenged the traditional views of a woman’s role. The writing is strong. The story is told in first person by Forugh, the only choice that does not quite work for me. The story portrays the complicated political climate in the 1960s during the last shah’s regime.
Darznik includes several of Forugh’s translated poems, which had been published then later banned in Iran. The author’s family left Iran in 1978, when Darznik was a child. I very much enjoyed this glimpse into Iranian culture and history.
4.5… (more)
Despite the fact I think the main character made terrible decision after terrible decision, I have rarely been so absorbed in a book. I couldn't wait to pick it up and sink into the atmosphere again and again.
It was especially endearing that we start sharing Forough's life when she is yet a girl, with innocence and hopes and dreams, before she begins her adult life of mistakes.
The poetry placed throughout, the author's original translations of the real-life Forough's work, is powerful and evocative.
Recommend for lovers of fact-based, historical fiction, elegant prose, and atmosphere so engaging you could drown in it. Not recommended if you'd like to avoid stories involving adultery or child abandonment.… (more)
It was especially endearing that we start sharing Forough's life when she is yet a girl, with innocence and hopes and dreams, before she begins her adult life of mistakes.
The poetry placed throughout, the author's original translations of the real-life Forough's work, is powerful and evocative.
Recommend for lovers of fact-based, historical fiction, elegant prose, and atmosphere so engaging you could drown in it. Not recommended if you'd like to avoid stories involving adultery or child abandonment.… (more)
Wow was this book very emotional. The struggles of a rebellious woman with an intelligent mind in an environment that considers a woman to be nothing more than the property of her husband is very humbling to read. Forugh is never satisfied in conforming to the norms and does everything she can to give life to the words constantly forming in her mind. Though I was surprised to know that some of the most compelling relationships in the book are actually fictionalized, the author used them as a backdrop to throw light on the student protests and the clash between the old guard and the changing minds of the younger generation. I absolutely loved that some of the translated poems of Forugh were included throughout the book because it gave a unique insight into her mind and makes me want to read more of her works. It’s always fascinating and also emotional to read about such an amazing woman who only lived for 32 years but left an indelible mark on a culture which remains even decades after her death.… (more)
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- Works
- 5
- Also by
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- Members
- 621
- Popularity
- #40,536
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 39
- ISBNs
- 29
- Languages
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- Favorited
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