Niki Bahara's Blog: Unpaved Road

Dear Friends,
I am pleased to share with you that my book “Unpaved Road” was the winner (The winner of the Autobiography Category) of the 2011-2012 DIY Book & Film Festival. The annual award reception took place last night Sat, March 3, at the “Roosevelt Hotel” in Hollywood.
The door to the Academy Room opened at 7 and cocktail was served. There were about hundred participants at the ceremony, (my husband, my daughter and I, together with the winners of the other categories with their friends and families, and other audiences).
At 8 O’clock, the award ceremony began. After a short presentation, the name of the winners was called and we were asked to go to the podium and talk to the audience about ourselves and our book. Then we were awarded with a framed certificate.
After the book awards, the winners of the films were honored.
At the end of the ceremony we took some group pictures, and it was fun!

I don’t know the sage person(s), who wrote these so wise statements. They are not only so beautiful, but also very clever.
A good friend sent them to me in Farsi. I did the English translation to share them with you, my friends. I hope they have come through the translation as beautifully as their originals:

• به چشمی اعتماد کن که به جای صورت به نهاد تو می نگرد...
• Trust the eye that looks into your soul, rather than at your face.

• به دلی دل بسپار که جای خالی برایت داشته باشد...
• Go after the heart that has an empty place for you.

• دستی بپذیر که باز شدن را بهتر از مشت شدن بلد باشد
• Accept the hand that can extend to help more than fist to punch.

• هوس بازان کسی راکه زیبا می بینند دوست دارند... اما عاشقان کسی را که دوست دارند زیبا می بینند...
• A capricious would go after the person he thinks is pretty, while the one, who is in love, sees the beloved beautiful.

• وقتی در زندگی به یک در بزرگ رسیدی نترس و نا امید نشو... چون اگه قرار بود در باز نشود جای آن دیوار می گذاشتند...
• When you come across a closed door blocking you, don’t panic and do not loose hopes. If it was not supposed to be opened, a wall would have been built in its place, instead.

• آنچه که هستی، هدیه خداوند است و آنچه که خواهی شد، هدیه تو به خداوند... پس بی نظیر باش. ..
• Who you are now is the gift from the God to you, and who you would become is your gift to the God. So be unique.

• شریف ترین دل ها دلی است که اندیشه آزار دیگران در آن نباشد...
• A beautiful heart is the one that does not have hate for the others.

• بدبختی تنها در باغچه ای که خودت کاشته ای می روید...
• Disaster only grows in the garden in which you plant it.

• وقتی زندگی برایت خیلی سخت شد به یاد بیاور که دریای آرام، ناخدای قهرمان نمی سازد. ..
• When the life becomes very difficult for you, remember that a calm sea does not make any brave captain.

• هر اندیشۀ شایسته ای، به چهره انسان زیبائی می بخشد...
• Positive thinking reflects beauty on your face.

• قابل اعتماد بودن ارزشمند تر از دوست داشتنی بودن است
• Being trustworthy is more valuable than being loveable.

• نگو: شب شده است. .. : بگو صبح در راه است
• Don’t think the night has come; remember the morning is on the way.

I’m reading a Persian autobiography book authored by a famous Iranian journalist living in LA. Her name is Homa Sarshar and like millions of Iranians, she had to leave the country in order to save her life, after establishment of the Islamic regime in Iran in 1979.
The title of the book is “Sarab”, which means “Mirage”. She, as a “Baha’i”, has beautifully described the society and has brought about life of Baha’i’s in Iran, even during the Shah’s era.
The book contains over 400 pages and I have read as far as one third of the book. However, since I am not in favor of any religion, and at the same time I respect everybody’s religious faith, I found it as a confirmation of my own belief, when it comes to religion. My belief is to have faith only to the God, and that for getting closed to him, there is no need for intermediates.
Is it possible that one beautiful day everybody would turn just to the God and nothing else? Imagine, when there would not be any religion, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha’i faith and all other religions and beliefs. Surely people would find something else to kill each other for, but at least nobody would fight, torture and kill each other in the name of the God!

I don’t like spending too many hours by computer and reading every kind of emails, which most of them are not my tastes or are just garbage. Today, I decided to sign in to my email to clean up the inbox. It hold over three hundred unread emails. As I was checking and deleting one after another, I crossed to a very interesting video, which a friend of mine had sent. The title was “Music as a key to understanding reality”. The violist Bijan Khadem-Missagh, an Iranian musician with his violin in hand demonstrated how music and its notes could teach us the reality of life. I was so impressed with his lecture that I watched it not only once, but many times.
With his gentle voice, Bijan referred to Johan Sebastian Bach’s answer when Bach was asked what the music is. His answer was that the music was a language, a language for communication. Bijan continued to compare every human being to a music note. He believed and demonstrated with his violin how notes and vibration of waves, in music called “over tones” together could create a beautiful sound. One note alone by contrary would be nothing, but a string noise and terrible to hear. He maid his point that the “over tones” or quality like love, justice, friendship, honesty, peace, trueness, trust, and etc., which we all have and vibration of these tones would create a beautiful music.
It was the most beautiful comparison I have heard. Then, I thought why we can’t use so many good qualities we have and together change the life, as beautiful and harmonic as the tones on strings of the violin. What kind of world we would leave for our children. I am not talking about the global warming; I am talking about the humanity. Are we suitable enough to be a role model to our children? Look around to see what a disastrous we have made of the world. During the last ten years just greediness, wars and killing have been the outcome of our contribution to our world. Our generation is guilty and responsible. What can we do about it? How will the future look like? And will our kids condemn us? I need some answers and like to know what is wrong with us?

Now, I am a member of "Association of Iranian American Writers"
Please meet me there.
http://iranianamericanwriters.org/

Bordbar wrote:

Highly Recommended
A fascinating novel about a real story of life, love, deception, doubts, destruction, courage, terrible times, dangerous decisions, and destiny.

In dilemma between deep rooted traditional and religious values of her family and society and the modern world, Niki, at her childhood, suffers a lot, and at her early twenties, struggles, in vain, to find and prove her own identity and determination.

The reader anxiously follows Niki through her rough journey of life, sympathizes with her, angers at her, and shares her hopes, anxieties, adventures and dangerous moments

I think her phenomenal situation would be of certain value for those who are interested in the study of social change and cultural integration.

In short, the variety and complex issues of Niki's life and her amazing story would attract and impress every reader with different visions and interest. It did for me and I could not put the book aside till finishing it to the end of her movie like story, many shots of which has remained in my memory, as the unforgettable.


M.P. wrote:

A must read book. Highly recommended

When I started reading this book, I could not imagine that this real life story can be so exciting.

I could hardly put down the book. The continuity and chain of the events drag the reader. It triggers the reader's curiosity to keep on reading.

This book also give a broad image of the Iranian society before and after Islamic revolution. It is really amazing and is a very good candidate for a movie scenario.


I highly suggest that Hollywood producer should consider this book as movie project.



Anonymous reader wrote:

Hard to put down!

This book is an amazing read of a true life story of the Author Niki Bahara. Niki pictures in the book a combination of cultural boundaries, social revolution, family relationships, love, deceit and manipulations that led to decisions that took her life on a hardly imaginable road. Niki takes you with her on this journey as you read the book. It is a journey on a road that many of us just feel blessed not to travel in real life. Yet, at the same time the story of Niki's life is a story of human survival. Showing how strong we can be as we persist and demand better lives for ourselves and for our families. It is quiet inspiring. It is hard to put down the book once you start. It is a very enjoyable and a must read.

Scarlet wrote:

I found the story of Niki so exciting and adventurous.
While I was reading sometimes I found Niki so naive that made me mad about her, but as a mother her courage and determination for saving her daughter's life inspired me a lot and helped me to understand her situation.
I highly recommend this book to all people who are looking for a true story of troubled life.


Sholeh Enshayan wrote:

I am glad I decided to buy this book. It was interesting and easy to read. I was eager to see what happens next. I was following her through her journey as if I was there with her. I recommended this book to my friends because I am sure they will enjoy it as much i did.

A.A Wrote:
I am speechless, When I bought this book I didn't expect it to be so interesting. I could not stop reading it.
The interesting part is that Niki is not a professional writer but I should say she is a natural born story teller.
For the first time in my life I could not stop reading and I was carrying this book everywhere with me.
The reason which make this book so interesting is because it is a real life story and for sure a very exciting one.
I thought my life was full of unexpected events but comparing with Niki's life, mine was certainly a safer one.
For people who have no idea about life after revolution in Iran, this should be the easiest source to read.
I strongly advise everyone to read this book.


Arya wrote:
This book is an amazing read of a true life story of the Author Niki Bahara. Niki pictures in the book a combination of cultural boundaries, social revolution, family relationships, love, deceit and manipulations that led to decisions that took her life on a hardly imaginable road. Niki takes you with her on this journey as you read the book. It is a journey on a road that many of us just feel blessed not to travel in real life. Yet, at the same time the story of Niki's life is a story of human survival. Showing how strong we can be as we persist and demand better lives for ourselves and for our families. It is quiet inspiring. It is hard to put down the book once you start. It is a very enjoyable and a must read.


Borzouyeh "Hakim" wrote:
I purchased this book online and it sat on my bed stand for a few weeks when I off and on read a few pages, and then one weekend I could not put it done once I started reading into it.

I left Iran in 1972 and went back for few summer vacations. In 1978 I went back to Iran to study for my doctorate thesis in April while also working in Tehran and traveling to other cities. I was in Tabriz right after the 1st demonstration ...and stayed until October witnessing a lot of events in those seven months. Niki's story brought back a lot of those memories.

Books written about the Iranian revolution seldom provide an insider's look into events particularly from women's prospective. Unpaved Roads is an excellent book, well written, which provides a new perspective on events in Iran at the time of Iranian revolution and how the revolution was derailed and hijacked by the conservative forces.

Her personal journey and challenges she went through, her determination to overcome the obstacles she confronted is remarkable and inspiring. It also reminded me that if something does not make sense or does not sound right you must trust your instinct.

Its a must read for anyone that is curious about the events of that time in Iran, and for all who are wondering what will become of the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. Reactionary forces all follow the same script.


Jasi wrote:
A must read! Definitely a page turner that will keep you on your toes throughout the complete book. Fascinating true story that mixes both a gripping life experience plus interesting historical facts. Would be perfect for a movie. Highly recommended.


Mana Alison wrote:
Like the other reviews already mentioned, you will not put this book down once you start reading it! It's an amazing true life story which captures you from page 1. Niki's way of writing brings you into the story and takes you on a journey of a lifetime. This book also describes the events that led up to the islamic revolution, which was an eye-opener for me. Most of us read about it in textbooks, or hear references to it from time to time. But to hear about it from someone who actually lived though it and was forced to escape it, was truly amazing!
I'm recommending this book to everyone I know...it's an absolute must-read!
This book would definitely make a GREAT movie!

The reason for writing this book:

In fact, this is my first book, and I’m not a professional writer. Literature and people have always been the passion of my life. I wrote some short novels and poetries, but never published them.
However, the honest reason for writing the story of my life the emotional shock I experienced when visiting my homeland. In 2007 when I returned to Iran, after nearly thirty years, the complete change of lifestyle and the outlandish society hit me hard emotionally. Writing down my observations and comparing my country’s past to the present time, was the only thing that could calm me down. When I returned to the U.S., I decided to put together all of my notes, memories, emotions, and experiences.
My purpose of publishing this book was to give a glimpse of reality, concerning the situation of a country govern by the Islamic Regime. My goal is to reach everybody, in particular the young Iranian-American generation, in order to understand why their parents and millions of other Iranians left and still leave the country, in pursuit of freedom and simply a normal life.