21st Century Literature discussion

This thread is for discussion of the epilogue and the book as a whole.

I read this book when it came out in paperback, so it was probably in 2005. Even though I had not read many of the literary works she mentions and uses in the book, I was mesmorized. I believe I gave a copy of it to every female on my Christmas list. What immediately comes to mind from the book is how the author was part of the revolution - the liberal part that did not prevail post-revolution. Along with that memory is the one about the physical abuse suffered by some of the young women who were part of the secret literature class.

I had not read all of the literature mentioned, either, Linda, and still felt I could appreciate the book. Although it did inspire me to read more of those works! Giving the book as gifts to others is a real testament as to how much you liked it. I thought the abuse and general lack of freedom that the women experienced were chilling. It struck me how devastated Nafisi must have felt about the way the post-revolution played out.

DonnaR wrote: "I had not read all of the literature mentioned, either, Linda, and still felt I could appreciate the book. Although it did inspire me to read more of those works! Giving the book as gifts to other..."

Reminds me of the saying -- Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

While I hope otherwise, I am fearful that a similar situation is possible in the countries that experienced the Arab Spring, such as Tunisia.

I didnt respond to the book as positively as some of the readers. I felt firstly that the book was competently written but was not well written which is what I usually look for in a book.

I did feel that the book was needlessly full of spoilers for other works and that to fully appreciate some of the parts you really needed to have read the books talked about. Other books such as Among Others and The Jane Austen Book Club handled the challenges involved of books in which a large chunk is about or discussing books without these problems.

What the book does do well is it is fairly easy reading but provides a glimpse or a hint at what it is like to be in Tehran. There are other books though that might not sell as many copies but provide a deeper and more complex portrayal of this though.

I have spoken before about Persepolis this is just one example which I feel handles the subject much more effectively and in a more literate way despite being a graphic novel.

I do think books like RLiT serve a valuable role but it is a role of a starting off point before moving onto works that let you see a subject with more depth.

This is not the perfect book, admittedly. As a memoir, the chronology is confusing. As a literary critique, it sometimes comes across a little smug and self serving. And as a history of the Islamic revolution in Iran, it has a narrow lens. But, nevertheless, the book worked for me. It gives a voice to the women who had become, in Nafisi's term, irrelevant. It gives a face to those who have been forced to go behind the veil. It reminded me never to take the freedoms I enjoy for granted. It encouraged me to read a few of those literary works I have been putting off reading and to re-read a few others with a new perspective.

I had the pleasure of hearing Nafisi speak at a local university several years ago on the occasion of her being a recipient of an honorary degree. She was eloquent and brave and really wanted the mostly college-age audience to be aware of the past history of Iran - it's social and cultural diversity and great literary heritage.