Author: Négar Djavadi,
Translator: Tina Kover
Narrator: Siiri Scott
Genre: Historical
First Published: August 25, 2016
Book description: The story of a young girl and her family, at the core of an exploration of Iranian history.
Kimiâ Sadr fled Iran at the age of ten in the company of her mother and sisters to join her father in France. Now twenty-five, with a new life and the prospect of a child, Kimiâ is inundated by her own memories and the stories of her ancestors, which reach her in unstoppable, uncontainable waves. In the waiting room of a Parisian fertility clinic, generations of flamboyant Sadrs return to her, including her formidable great-grandfather Montazemolmolk, with his harem of fifty-two wives, and her parents, Darius and Sara, stalwart opponents of each regime that befalls them.
Review:
Disoriental is a captivating family saga that intertwines with Iranian history. The novel follows Kimiâ Sadr, who recounts her experience of relocating from Iran to France at the age of ten.
As I read this novel, I can't help but feel like I'm right there in the midst of it all. My senses are fully engaged - I can practically smell the food cooking and feel the heat of the smoldering walls. Even the sound of that knock on the door sends shivers down my spine. And yet, amidst all of this chaos and despair, there is a haunting silence that speaks volumes about the loved ones who have disappeared. It's a powerful and emotional experience that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.
The first half of the book delves into Kimiâ's childhood in Iran, where she has a complex relationship with her dissident parents and older siblings. In the second half, the Sadrs flee Iran for their safety, and Kimiâ comes of age in Europe. This part of the novel is centered around her realization that she is attracted to women. The story is told from Kimiâ's perspective, and it jumps back and forth between past and present. The lives of Kimiâ's many relatives are also explored, and the author, Djavadi, who is a screenwriter, has a cinematic style that makes the novel come alive. Disoriental is a stimulating montage of family lore, national politics, and personal history that is sure to captivate readers from start to finish.
The author makes such a good depiction of life as an immigrant. Leaving behind everything that defined you - your family, your home, your language, your community, even your memories - is a devastating experience. Author Djavadi portrays this stripping of personhood in a way that allows readers to truly grasp the immigrant experience, even if only vicariously. When you leave under threat and without any certainty about what your future holds, you are left feeling bereft, confused, and still in danger from the tyranny you had hoped to escape. It's a truly heart-wrenching situation that no one should have to endure.
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Around the World: Iran
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