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Censoring an Iranian Love Story

by Shahriar Mandanipour

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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3732368,029 (3.76)34
Shahriar Mandanipour, a contemporary and controversial Iranian writer, presents his first novel written in English. Seamlessly entwining two related narratives, Mandanipour unfolds the tale of an Iranian writer attempting to pen a love story set in present-day Iran. Similar to Romeo and Juliet, the writer's two lovers struggle to endure against powerful external forces. Unfortunately, though, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance furiously attempts to censor the writer's work.… (more)
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» See also 34 mentions

English (20)  Spanish (2)  German (1)  All languages (23)
Showing 1-5 of 20 (next | show all)
even though it is fiction, this book gives great insight into Iran and the danger of censorship to a free society ( )
  pollycallahan | Jul 1, 2023 |
I liked the idea of this book more than the book itself. Maybe something was lost in translation, but any clever aspect of the structure was made awkward by its self-awareness. I learned quite a bit about Iranian history and culture, though. ( )
  CLPowers | Dec 6, 2019 |
Mandanipour is very popular in Iran but this is his first book to be published in the US. A suprisingly funny novel about a famous Iranian writer trying to write a love story with a happy ending. Shades of Pale Fire and any novel where the characters wriggle out from under the grasp of the author. ( )
  laurenbufferd | Nov 14, 2016 |
It's hard to pin down my thought on this book. I recognize I am very unfamiliar with real Iranian literature, so it's difficult to distinguish between cultural characteristics and the author's style.
It is a metanarrative, in which the narrator explains why certain choices are made in the love story (the internal story) and explains a lot of the Iranian culture as it relates to literature. This dialogue is really interesting (even though it gets tedious in the middle, it picks up again) to help a Westerner like myself. It also adds humour to the novel because of the absurdity of some traditions and conventions. As the book progresses, the narrative and internal story crisscross, which is more challenging to wrap my mind around -- the lines between the two stories really blurs. Overall the interaction between the narrator and his story is intriguing from a writer's perspective and that of a storyteller.

I don't actually like Sara; she is coquettish but stubborn and arrogant...? I don't really know how to describe her, but I didn't really empathize with her. I think that's alright, though, because Dara and the narrator are the main characters, and they're more likeable.

The most similar author to which I can liken this book is [a:Thomas King|25892|Thomas King|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66.jpg]. His [b:Green Grass Running Water|46277|Green Grass, Running Water|Thomas King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320433170s/46277.jpg|45411] blurs the lines between the metanarrative and narrative and also subtlely and artistically points out absurdities in (native Canadian) culture. Actually, I can see an interesting comparison study being possible between these two stories. ( )
  LDVoorberg | Apr 7, 2013 |
3,5 en fait.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'idée, les références et la façon d'utiliser l'humour pour parler de la situation dans son pays natal. Toutefois, le procédé m'a paru un peu lourd par moments. ( )
  Moncoinlecture | Apr 4, 2013 |
Showing 1-5 of 20 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (5 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Mandanipour, Shahriarprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Azad, NailaNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Malhotra, SunilNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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The tale of he who a treasure map found that out some gate should you take leave there sits a dome, if your back to the dome you turn and your face fronting Mecca, and an arrow you slight, whither the arrow falls a treasure trove lies. He went and arrows he let fly, so much so that he despaired, he did not find. And this news reached the King. Long-range archers arrows let fly, indeed naught was found. WHen to his Holiness he appealed, unto him it was inspired that we did not bid to pull the bow-string. Arrow in the bow he set, there before him it fell.

Shams Tabrizi (D. 1248)
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To Robert Coover, Karen Kennerly, Sara Khalili, James Kimmel, and Jane Unrue, without whose faith and fellowship writing this novel would not have been possible
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Shahriar Mandanipour, a contemporary and controversial Iranian writer, presents his first novel written in English. Seamlessly entwining two related narratives, Mandanipour unfolds the tale of an Iranian writer attempting to pen a love story set in present-day Iran. Similar to Romeo and Juliet, the writer's two lovers struggle to endure against powerful external forces. Unfortunately, though, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance furiously attempts to censor the writer's work.

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