It is two years after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and Isaac Amin is arrested by the Revolutionary Guard. Not only is Isaac a successful businessman, he is also a Jew, and is suspected of being a spy. As this novel develops we follow Isaac and the members of his family as they attempt to deal with his imprisonment and decide what they must do to protect themselves.
Through the eyes of Isaac's wife Farnaz, his daughter Shirin, and his son Parnaz - we experience the fear of having a loved one taken away, with no idea when they might return. And at the same time, the world around them becomes increasingly dangerous.
Sofer has a beautiful light touch in this novel which immediately drew me in, despite the grim subject matter. She also has an excellent sense of detail, focusing on those small observations which bring the country and setting alive.
A novel like this always makes you question your own ability to deal with such a situation. Would you run, or would you stay? Could you leave everything you had ever worked for behind, or would you hang on to your past (and money!) in the hope that things would soon improve? And would you be as brave as both Farnaz and Shirin, who put themselves in dangerous situations to protect others, and to seek out the truth?
I love novels that teach me something about history, and while this book doesn't focus on the Revolution itself, I was grateful to learn something of its aftermath â€" and the chaos and confusion that can take place after such a major political change. It seems appropriate that I read it just after Tunisians had overthrown their autocratic leader, and while Egyptians were protesting in Tahrir Square calling for the ousting of President Mubarak. It was hard not to draw parallels, and wonder what would be happening in Egypt in the months and years ahead if their revolution was to succeed.
There are also many times in Septembers of Shiraz in which we are taken back to times before the Revolution, giving us a glimpse of what life in Iran was like then, for those with money. This was a ‘Westernized’ Iran in which women had far greater freedoms and religion was a choice, quite different from the country it is today. It shows just how quickly change can come.
My only disappointment with this book was the ending. It felt rushed after the gentle flow of the rest of the book, and did not hold the tension it needed. But other than that I would highly recommend Septembers of Shiraz for anyone wanting to know a little more about the changing face of Iran.
Author Resource:-
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