

I loved this book so much. From my banned book subscription.
I loved this book so much. From my banned book subscription.
This was not the book for me. It‘s a strange, dark story with repetitive scenes from the perspective of a narrator frequently in an opium haze. At least that‘s how it seemed to me. I also think I missed aspects due to differences of culture & translation. I feel there‘s much more symbolism than I‘m aware of.
📷: Gandalf kept me company during my #HammockReading this evening.
#translated #1001books #Reading1001 #TBRTakedown April 2025
I enjoyed listening to this, at times it was almost meditative. The talk about art and being compelled to create and adrift when there was no inspiration was so interesting, listening to the struggles of addiction was hard. A quote that stood out for me that came from the Koran “Action will be judged by intention”. I‘d like to ask a few people in power about this. It was disjointed at times
Cyrus vainly sets off on a quest to die for his beliefs, but the real way to give meaning to one‘s existence is to live—not even to create art as much as find beauty and grace in any small world we‘re lucky enough to find ourselves.
29 Mar-20 Apr 25
Beautifully written and quite a compelling read.
Akbar tells the story of Cyrus, an Iranian-American whose mother was killed when the US shot down an Iranian passenger plane and who is trying to understand the nature of martyrdom in the context of his own life and addiction.
A little predictable but nevertheless a compelling and provocative read and so beautifully written.
#ReadTheWorld2025
In March and April I‘ve read 7 books set in or written by author from places around the world: #Italy #Switzerland #Iraq #France #Iran #Denmark #Mexico #Argentina
I have the #InternationalBooker to thank for most of these books!
I finished my telephone box and put it with my ‘set in the UK‘ books
The title of this book is the rallying cry for Iranian protesters after the murder of Mahsa Amini by police. This graphic collection pulls no punches. I was disturbed and inspired. I know a lot more and have a much better understanding of the recent history and current state of protest and repression in Iran. And, unfortunately, some of it reminded me very strongly of the current state of politics in the US. 😞