Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Book review: Journey from the Land of No by Roya Hakakian



"Journey From the Land of No", is a beautifully written coming-of-age story about a young Iranian-Jew's attempt to find her authentic self at a time of cultural closing and repression in Iran.


Not only does the author tell the story of what it was like to grow up Jewish in Iran on the brink of the revolution, but she also introduces her readers to a cast of colorful and eccentric characters that were a part of her life in Iran. Mrs. Moghadam, Roya's school principal, left a lasting impression on me. Her fiery lectures to the young women are not to be missed. The language is fierce, but delightful because it evokes such strong feelings in the reader. After reading one of those lectures I knew exactly how frustrated and suffocated Roya and her classmates must have felt under that repressive regime.

A good read!