What do you think?
Rate this book
Moon at Nine
Fifteen-year-old Farrin has many secrets. Although she goes to a school for gifted girls in Tehran, as the daughter of an aristocratic mother and wealthy father, Farrin must keep a low profile. It is 1988; ever since the Shah was overthrown, the deeply conservative and religious government controls every facet of life in Iran. If the Revolutionary Guard finds out about her mother’s Bring Back the Shah activities, her family could be thrown in jail, or worse.
The day she meets Sadira, Farrin’s life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise, and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?
Based on real-life events, multi-award winning author Deborah Ellis’s new book is a tense and riveting story about a world where homosexuality is considered so abhorrent that it is punishable by death.
The day she meets Sadira, Farrin’s life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise, and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?
Based on real-life events, multi-award winning author Deborah Ellis’s new book is a tense and riveting story about a world where homosexuality is considered so abhorrent that it is punishable by death.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
37 people are currently reading
2857 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Ellis
57 books601 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Deborah Ellis has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.
She has won the Governor General's Award, Sweden's Peter Pan Prize, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the University of California's Middle East Book Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award.
A long-time feminist and anti-war activist, she is best known for The Breadwinner Trilogy, which has been published around the world in seventeen languages, with more than a million dollars in royalties donated to Street Kids International and to Women for Women, an organization that supports health and education projects in Afghanistan. In 2006, Deb was named to the Order of Ontario.
Deborah Ellis has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.
She has won the Governor General's Award, Sweden's Peter Pan Prize, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the University of California's Middle East Book Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award.
A long-time feminist and anti-war activist, she is best known for The Breadwinner Trilogy, which has been published around the world in seventeen languages, with more than a million dollars in royalties donated to Street Kids International and to Women for Women, an organization that supports health and education projects in Afghanistan. In 2006, Deb was named to the Order of Ontario.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
April 18, 2018
Well written YA (lesbian)book---the story's interest is really about how the middle-eastern culture treats someone who is gay/lesbian --- as being a young teen going through this even though your own family who was one of the wealthiest even shun you after finding out your sexual preference and being shun by everyone also--at least she had the guts and strength to stand up all of them. Recommended fun read to everyone!
June 27, 2016
I hate this book. I hate it for its reality, for its truthfulness, for its potency. I hate it because it's a true story. I hate it because it's happening right now. I hate it because I can see parts of myself in Sadira and in Farrin. I hate it because it gave me hope and then killed it.
I cried. I cried so hard.
I hate it because it's so vivid, and so believable. I hate it for the characters who pretended to be friends and turned out being the foe. I hate it for painting a picture of a happy ending and then burning it to the ground. I hate it because they deserved so much more than being forced to be apart until death. I hate for believing it had a happy ending. I hate it because this happened thousands of times OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER. I hate it because its not fair. I hate it because I can just feel the terror and the love and the pain that seeps from the ink on the paper right into my skin. I hate it because they were so close to freedom.
I hate this book.
You should read it.
If the world doesn't feel this emotion it won't understand what's at stake and nothing will ever change.
I cried. I cried so hard.
I hate it because it's so vivid, and so believable. I hate it for the characters who pretended to be friends and turned out being the foe. I hate it for painting a picture of a happy ending and then burning it to the ground. I hate it because they deserved so much more than being forced to be apart until death. I hate for believing it had a happy ending. I hate it because this happened thousands of times OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER. I hate it because its not fair. I hate it because I can just feel the terror and the love and the pain that seeps from the ink on the paper right into my skin. I hate it because they were so close to freedom.
I hate this book.
You should read it.
If the world doesn't feel this emotion it won't understand what's at stake and nothing will ever change.
May 16, 2018
How can it possibly be that I have never read a Deborah Ellis novel? Ellis has won many accolades for her books which often surround topical issues and yet I have never read one of her books. Moon at Nine takes place in 1980's Iran and concentrates on the love between two schoolgirls- Farrin and Sadira. The war between Iran and Iraq has come to an end, but the people of Iran are not free, and Farrin and Sadira face devastating consequences if they are discovered by the Revolutionary Guard.
You two are friends. Fine. That is a good thing. But make sure your friendship is just a friendship. Don't make it into something unnatural, something ugly. You should not hold onto each other like that. No man will want to marry you if you act like that with another girl. Don't do it! Your future will be crushed. This time, fine, you didn't know. There should not be another time. That is my message to you. Now you have heard it, there is no more need to talk about it.
No doubt, young reading audiences will need much scaffolding by their teachers to understand the historical and political context that feature in the background of this story. There is an author's note provided and I would certainly start there with students before diving into the story. Deborah Ellis deals with a very sensitive issue and she handles it with the utmost respect. After all, she relates that Farrin's story is based on that of an Iranian woman that she had the pleasure of meeting in 2013.
I choose you because the act of choosing you belongs to me. It is mine, my choice, my free will. I choose you over my father. I choose you over my country.
You two are friends. Fine. That is a good thing. But make sure your friendship is just a friendship. Don't make it into something unnatural, something ugly. You should not hold onto each other like that. No man will want to marry you if you act like that with another girl. Don't do it! Your future will be crushed. This time, fine, you didn't know. There should not be another time. That is my message to you. Now you have heard it, there is no more need to talk about it.
No doubt, young reading audiences will need much scaffolding by their teachers to understand the historical and political context that feature in the background of this story. There is an author's note provided and I would certainly start there with students before diving into the story. Deborah Ellis deals with a very sensitive issue and she handles it with the utmost respect. After all, she relates that Farrin's story is based on that of an Iranian woman that she had the pleasure of meeting in 2013.
I choose you because the act of choosing you belongs to me. It is mine, my choice, my free will. I choose you over my father. I choose you over my country.
March 13, 2014
Imagine that Annie on My Mind took place in Iran during the 1980s, and that instead of living unhappily ever after, the main characters face much worse fates due to the laws of the land. This is what awaits the reader of Moon at Nine. Farrin goes to a school for gifted girls, and when Sadira begins attending her school, Farrin realizes that she loves her. Amid all of the political upheaval in her country, she is caught kissing Sadira and the two are punished: they are to be kept separate and advanced quickly through their programs while their parents try to find husbands for them. Farrin thinks she can't survive without seeing Sadira, but can she survive if they stay together?
Wow. This book is set in a different culture than my own and a different time period. The girls are living through historical events that I can barely begin to imagine. And to think that if my wife and I had lived in that place, we could have suffered the same fate as Sadira and Farrin - it's unimaginable. This is an excellent book to give a picture of live in a different country under a different government where people are not granted the same freedoms we are given in the United States. Although the subject matter is difficult, this book is amazingly free of graphic red flags that could naturally occur in such a story.
Recommended for: teens and adults
Red Flags: some alcohol use (by adults), Farrin witnesses executions when she is in jail, minor language
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-alikes for: Annie on My Mind, If You Could Be Mine
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley for the purposes of review.
Wow. This book is set in a different culture than my own and a different time period. The girls are living through historical events that I can barely begin to imagine. And to think that if my wife and I had lived in that place, we could have suffered the same fate as Sadira and Farrin - it's unimaginable. This is an excellent book to give a picture of live in a different country under a different government where people are not granted the same freedoms we are given in the United States. Although the subject matter is difficult, this book is amazingly free of graphic red flags that could naturally occur in such a story.
Recommended for: teens and adults
Red Flags: some alcohol use (by adults), Farrin witnesses executions when she is in jail, minor language
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-alikes for: Annie on My Mind, If You Could Be Mine
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley for the purposes of review.
July 30, 2015
Okay, I get that this book is based on a true story but I really can't accept the ending. In no way is it appropriate to give this book to teenage LGBTQ readers with the knowledge that one of the girls is forced into a marriage with a man in order to gain her freedom and the other is hanged for being gay. I don't care if it's realistic, it's still not the kind of story I want to be giving to LGBTQ teens. We need more messages of hope and happy endings--I think enough LGBTQ people have sadness in their life that books like this don't serve any productive purpose. I mean, it doesn't have to be a fairy tale "and they all live happily ever after" ending, but no book should end as hopeless as this one, especially one for LGBTQ teens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2014
Originally reviewed at Oh Magic Hour.
Ever since I read The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson earlier this year, or actually maybe even as far back as when I read The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, I have been completely intrigued by literature set in the Middle East. It is somewhat difficult for me to write this post without getting treading around political topics, but as Atticus Finch once said, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” And, for me, literature is one of the best ways to do that. Growing up in America, I certainly have a general awareness of how different things would be if I lived in another country, particularly one like Iran that has been facing war and conflict for so long, but of course it is impossible to truly understand or fully comprehend that difference without trying to explore it through literature. This book, like Tyrant’s Daughter, I think did a great job of giving me the opportunity to walk around a bit in the skin of someone who is very different than I am and who lived through a very different set of experiences than me.
Moon at Nine tells the story of Farrin, a young girl living through the Iranian Revolution. Her parents, particularly her mother, does not treat her very well, and seems more occupied with her own social standing than her daughter. She attends a school for gifted girls and basically has no friends. That is, until Sadira comes to the school. Sadira is an extremely like-able girl, who is kind and intelligent and brings 0ut the best in others. Farrin immediately is drawn to her and it soon becomes clear that the feelings they have for each other are more than just friendship. Eventually their relationship is discovered and, as you can tell from the blurb, arrested. Without giving away spoilers, the rest of the novel is spent following what happens to them as they are punished and whether their relationship will be able to continue. The Author’s Note at the end shares that this is generally based on a true story from someone that Ellis has met, which intensified the read for me as well.
Here’s why this book is hard for me to review — the true story behind these events is horrific and painful. Reading about Farrin’s parents having dinner parties in order to drown out the sounds of nearby bombings, of the oppression faced by the Iranian people at this time, of the torture and indiscriminate arrests that could strike anywhere, and certainly of the final outcome of this story was tough to contemplate. Ellis’ biography on GoodReads says that she ” has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.” And yes, absolutely, this book achieved that for me. I did feel educated in some ways by this book and was able to walk around in Farrin’s shoes a bit, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this. And so I want to be clear that by saying that other parts of the book were less successful for me, I do not in any way mean to demean or belittle any of those true events.
With that all said, I never really completely connected with the prose of this story. It felt not quite long enough to me, and the relationship itself wasn’t given enough time to really flourish. I cared about both Farrin and (particularly) Sadira as real people, but not as much as characters if that makes sense. Sadira was probably the most sympathetic character in the piece in some ways, perhaps because we were seeing her through the eyes of her lover. But there just wasn’t a lot of growth or development present from the characters. We would see hints of it — like finding out that the girls were studying together and making better grades — but I thought the book would have benefited from a bit more back story to help make me feel more connected to the story. I also felt like I knew where it all was going to end up just based on the blurb in many ways, so there wasn’t tension in the storyline, either. Everything seemed very black and white, and while the bones of the story were compelling, at the end of the day it just didn’t reach its full potential.
Bottom Line
Although I am glad to have read this book, I do not think it was wholly successful in its execution. I do still recommend it, particularly for anyone with an interest in LGBT or Middle Eastern issues. It is a shorter book and a quick read that really helped to educate me on some important issues and a historical period that I was not fully familiar with prior to reading. Most importantly, the true story behind this work deserves attention and I am glad that Ellis captured it in this work. It is thought provoking and eye opening and worth a read.
Ever since I read The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson earlier this year, or actually maybe even as far back as when I read The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, I have been completely intrigued by literature set in the Middle East. It is somewhat difficult for me to write this post without getting treading around political topics, but as Atticus Finch once said, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” And, for me, literature is one of the best ways to do that. Growing up in America, I certainly have a general awareness of how different things would be if I lived in another country, particularly one like Iran that has been facing war and conflict for so long, but of course it is impossible to truly understand or fully comprehend that difference without trying to explore it through literature. This book, like Tyrant’s Daughter, I think did a great job of giving me the opportunity to walk around a bit in the skin of someone who is very different than I am and who lived through a very different set of experiences than me.
Moon at Nine tells the story of Farrin, a young girl living through the Iranian Revolution. Her parents, particularly her mother, does not treat her very well, and seems more occupied with her own social standing than her daughter. She attends a school for gifted girls and basically has no friends. That is, until Sadira comes to the school. Sadira is an extremely like-able girl, who is kind and intelligent and brings 0ut the best in others. Farrin immediately is drawn to her and it soon becomes clear that the feelings they have for each other are more than just friendship. Eventually their relationship is discovered and, as you can tell from the blurb, arrested. Without giving away spoilers, the rest of the novel is spent following what happens to them as they are punished and whether their relationship will be able to continue. The Author’s Note at the end shares that this is generally based on a true story from someone that Ellis has met, which intensified the read for me as well.
Here’s why this book is hard for me to review — the true story behind these events is horrific and painful. Reading about Farrin’s parents having dinner parties in order to drown out the sounds of nearby bombings, of the oppression faced by the Iranian people at this time, of the torture and indiscriminate arrests that could strike anywhere, and certainly of the final outcome of this story was tough to contemplate. Ellis’ biography on GoodReads says that she ” has achieved international acclaim with her courageous and dramatic books that give Western readers a glimpse into the plight of children in developing countries.” And yes, absolutely, this book achieved that for me. I did feel educated in some ways by this book and was able to walk around in Farrin’s shoes a bit, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this. And so I want to be clear that by saying that other parts of the book were less successful for me, I do not in any way mean to demean or belittle any of those true events.
With that all said, I never really completely connected with the prose of this story. It felt not quite long enough to me, and the relationship itself wasn’t given enough time to really flourish. I cared about both Farrin and (particularly) Sadira as real people, but not as much as characters if that makes sense. Sadira was probably the most sympathetic character in the piece in some ways, perhaps because we were seeing her through the eyes of her lover. But there just wasn’t a lot of growth or development present from the characters. We would see hints of it — like finding out that the girls were studying together and making better grades — but I thought the book would have benefited from a bit more back story to help make me feel more connected to the story. I also felt like I knew where it all was going to end up just based on the blurb in many ways, so there wasn’t tension in the storyline, either. Everything seemed very black and white, and while the bones of the story were compelling, at the end of the day it just didn’t reach its full potential.
Bottom Line
Although I am glad to have read this book, I do not think it was wholly successful in its execution. I do still recommend it, particularly for anyone with an interest in LGBT or Middle Eastern issues. It is a shorter book and a quick read that really helped to educate me on some important issues and a historical period that I was not fully familiar with prior to reading. Most importantly, the true story behind this work deserves attention and I am glad that Ellis captured it in this work. It is thought provoking and eye opening and worth a read.
February 9, 2015
Opening line: "You're writing about demons." Principal Kobra's voice was hard and humourless.
Set in Iran MOON AT NINE is a very quick read and gently approaches the subject of gay rights – in fact any rights – under a strict religious regime. Many teens in the western world take their rights for granted – scream their right to this, that or the other on electronic media, at school and in their homes. But there are millions of teens in the world that do not enjoy this freedom. Farrin is just one example. As a female she has virtually no rights, and as a female child even less. She is despised by the other children at school as she is wealthy, and her mother shows her no love at home either. Life at home may be privileged but there is no happiness. Yet against the background of her mother’s endless cocktail and dinner parties the reader is given a glimpse into real life in Tehran; the daily bombings, the oppression of the people, the indiscriminate arrests for anything resulting in torture and brutal deaths without trials. Sorry, correction, without fair trials. Farrin is a clever girl, she is a kind girl – she helps her father’s driver steal food from her mother’s kitchen to feed the poor, he in return keeps some of her secrets. Into this sad lonely life comes Sadira and Farrin blossoms at the attention she is given; there is now someone who cares for what she thinks, how she is feeling, and what her dreams are. The girls become very close then one day they kiss. A very chaste kiss, but just right for the age group this book is aimed at. Feelings like these can’t be hidden and they are so caught up in their feelings for each other that don’t see the dangers around them, still plotting their continued relationship even when they are forcibly kept apart. Then the Revolutionary Guard turn up and the two very young teens are taken off to be interrogated.
Deborah Ellis has based MOON AT NINE on a true story that was told to her by a woman she met –she has changed the names to protect the living. While it is written in an easy to read manner the subject is heart wrenching – and I just couldn’t bear to read what Farrin had to endure in the jail. At the end of the book there is a brief history of the conflicts in Iran and on the treatment of gays and lesbians that goes on even today - 4,000 gay and lesbian Iranians have been executed since 1979. In the end – I am so grateful that I can talk about my rights, that I do I have rights, and I have the right to post a cartoon on my Facebook page mocking whichever political figure has acted like an idiot today. But I am very aware that millions can’t, and hope (probably in vain) that one day all will be able to express their opinions, or follow their hearts without fear.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author for this copy to read and review.
November 7, 2015
Deborah Ellis‘ Roman “Wenn der Mond am Himmel steht, denk ich an dich” beruht auf einer wahren Begebenheit, was die gesamte Geschichte umso erschreckender, trauriger, unfassbarer macht – aber deshalb nicht minder lesenswerter…
Farrin ist 15 Jahre alt und eigentlich zwei Gesichter. Ihr privates Ich, welches ihre wahren und persönlichen Gedanken und Gefühle zeigt; sowie das Gesicht, welches sie der Öffentlichkeit präsentieren muss. “Bloß nicht auffallen”, bekommt sie jeden Tag von ihrer Mutter zu hören. Im Jahr 1988 in Teheran lebt es sich auch nach der islamischen Revolution gefährlich, überall kontrollieren Gardisten, ob man sich nicht gegen die Regierung auflehnt. Einen Hoffnungsschimmer gibt es für Farrin, als Sadira neu an die Schule kommt – in dem lebensfrohen und lustigen Mädchen findet sie sofort eine neue – und einzige – Freundin. Bis sich die gute Freundschaft gemächlich in Liebe entwickelt und sie diese verheimlichen müssen…
Zunächst ein paar Worte zur Optik: das deutsche Cover des cbj-Verlags sieht doch einfach nur wunderschön aus, nicht? Und ich finde, es passt auch im Nachhinein in seiner Schlichtheit sehr gut zum Inhalt. Auch der Titel – im Original übrigens “Moon at Nine” – passt überraschenderweise gut. Die Darstellung der verschiedenen Mond-Phasen wird zudem auch im Inneren weiter geführt, was mir genauso gut gefallen hat.
Den Inhalt dieser Geschichte zu beschreiben, fällt mir diesmal ziemlich schwer. Farrins Geschichte ist auf jeden Fall keine, die lediglich der Unterhaltung dienen soll. Vielmehr ist sie erschreckend tragisch, zumal sie auf einer wahren Begebenheit beruht. Natürlich weiß man, dass in anderen Ländern die Verhältnisse und gerade Rechte von Frauen gänzlich andere sind als hier in Europa. Man weiß es, aber es ist doch etwas anderes, wenn man dann eine recht persönliche Schicksalsgeschichte zu lesen bekommt. Umso wichtiger ist es, dass über solche Geschichten geschrieben wird. So gefällt mir der langsam wachsende Trend zu LGBT-Büchern sehr gut. In diesem Roman werden tatsächlich aber sehr viele schweren Themen angesprochen.
Das ist gleichzeitig etwas, was mich ein wenig gestört hat. Auf nur 256 Seiten wird eine recht komplexe Geschichte, die viele komplizierte, aber wichtige Themen aufgreift, erzählt. Dies geschieht meiner Meinung nach mit vielen Lücken und zu schnellen Entwicklungen. Ich hätte mir durchaus mehr Details, mehr Langsamkeit, mehr Logik gewünscht. Auch dass den beiden Charakteren mehr Zeit miteinander gewidmet worden wäre, Zeit, ihre Freundschaft und Liebe mehr entdecken und entwickeln zu dürfen. Stellenweise hatte ich leider das Gefühl, dass die Autorin mit zu schnellem Tempo durch die Handlung gerast ist.
Nichtsdestotrotz hat mich dieser Roman sehr sprachlos zurück gelassen und für mich hebt er sich äußerst positiv unter den vielen anderweitigen, unterhaltsamen Büchern ab. Wer sich nicht vor schwierigen Themen scheut, sollte unbedingt diese Geschichte kennen lernen.
Farrin ist 15 Jahre alt und eigentlich zwei Gesichter. Ihr privates Ich, welches ihre wahren und persönlichen Gedanken und Gefühle zeigt; sowie das Gesicht, welches sie der Öffentlichkeit präsentieren muss. “Bloß nicht auffallen”, bekommt sie jeden Tag von ihrer Mutter zu hören. Im Jahr 1988 in Teheran lebt es sich auch nach der islamischen Revolution gefährlich, überall kontrollieren Gardisten, ob man sich nicht gegen die Regierung auflehnt. Einen Hoffnungsschimmer gibt es für Farrin, als Sadira neu an die Schule kommt – in dem lebensfrohen und lustigen Mädchen findet sie sofort eine neue – und einzige – Freundin. Bis sich die gute Freundschaft gemächlich in Liebe entwickelt und sie diese verheimlichen müssen…
Zunächst ein paar Worte zur Optik: das deutsche Cover des cbj-Verlags sieht doch einfach nur wunderschön aus, nicht? Und ich finde, es passt auch im Nachhinein in seiner Schlichtheit sehr gut zum Inhalt. Auch der Titel – im Original übrigens “Moon at Nine” – passt überraschenderweise gut. Die Darstellung der verschiedenen Mond-Phasen wird zudem auch im Inneren weiter geführt, was mir genauso gut gefallen hat.
Den Inhalt dieser Geschichte zu beschreiben, fällt mir diesmal ziemlich schwer. Farrins Geschichte ist auf jeden Fall keine, die lediglich der Unterhaltung dienen soll. Vielmehr ist sie erschreckend tragisch, zumal sie auf einer wahren Begebenheit beruht. Natürlich weiß man, dass in anderen Ländern die Verhältnisse und gerade Rechte von Frauen gänzlich andere sind als hier in Europa. Man weiß es, aber es ist doch etwas anderes, wenn man dann eine recht persönliche Schicksalsgeschichte zu lesen bekommt. Umso wichtiger ist es, dass über solche Geschichten geschrieben wird. So gefällt mir der langsam wachsende Trend zu LGBT-Büchern sehr gut. In diesem Roman werden tatsächlich aber sehr viele schweren Themen angesprochen.
Das ist gleichzeitig etwas, was mich ein wenig gestört hat. Auf nur 256 Seiten wird eine recht komplexe Geschichte, die viele komplizierte, aber wichtige Themen aufgreift, erzählt. Dies geschieht meiner Meinung nach mit vielen Lücken und zu schnellen Entwicklungen. Ich hätte mir durchaus mehr Details, mehr Langsamkeit, mehr Logik gewünscht. Auch dass den beiden Charakteren mehr Zeit miteinander gewidmet worden wäre, Zeit, ihre Freundschaft und Liebe mehr entdecken und entwickeln zu dürfen. Stellenweise hatte ich leider das Gefühl, dass die Autorin mit zu schnellem Tempo durch die Handlung gerast ist.
Nichtsdestotrotz hat mich dieser Roman sehr sprachlos zurück gelassen und für mich hebt er sich äußerst positiv unter den vielen anderweitigen, unterhaltsamen Büchern ab. Wer sich nicht vor schwierigen Themen scheut, sollte unbedingt diese Geschichte kennen lernen.
July 29, 2017
As a work of fiction, the middle grade/YA novel "Moon at Nine" is a mess. There are structural problems in the storytelling, unexplained tangents that read as emotionless scenes, and jumps in the timeline that feel chaotic and arbitrary. The reader is also required to understand a *LOT* of historical context and cultural detail on their own -- which is fine for an adult reader. But had I been eleven, twelve, sixteen or even eighteen years old, much of this book would've gone over my head, and I probably would've DNF'd before the first fifty pages.
What must be emphasized with this novel, however -- more so than any of its structural problems -- is that it's not really a novel at all. This is a work of creative nonfiction, with enough details changed that the author and publisher could slap on the label of "fiction." In the Author's Note, the reader learns the protagonist of this story, a fifteen-year-old Iranian named Farrin, survived the events in this book, and lived to tell the tale. Author Deborah Ellis, who has won many awards for her work in children's literature, chose to share this woman's story with the world, and the author decided that the best way to do that was to turn the real-life story of Farrin into a middle-grade/YA novel.
I think that was an exceedingly unfortunate choice, but what's done is done. The novel is a rough mess, and the first half of the book has so many emotionless, disconnected scenes because the story is far more suited to the realm of adult fiction.
But the real-life Farrin is definitely still here on the page, sharing her story with us. And for every structural problem that exists in this book, the dark, horrifying reality of the world still shines through in all its terror and heartbreak. Which is why "Moon at Nine" is still worth a 5-star rating to me, the rating of a book I wholeheartedly recommend others read.
If you have ever read Marjane Satrapi's brilliant, and highly accessible, graphic autobiography, "Persepolis," (which was also turned into a film), you'll be familiar with most of the story details in "Moon at Nine." Farrin was a child during the Islamic Revolution. Her affluent, entitled, and embittered parents were trapped in Iran after the fall of the Shah, and Farrin is fifteen by the time the Iran-Iraq War ends in 1988.
This is when the plot of the book really starts, about midway through the novel. After the war, Farrin falls in love with one of her female classmates, and once the two teens are caught kissing at school, they are both severely punished for their "crime" of "deviant" behavior. The details of what happens to them is the beating heart of this novel.
The rough beginning of this book has to do with the author's attempts to make Farrin and her parents more "likeable" to the reader, and to build sympathy for them due to the fact that they've lived through a revolution and almost a decade of war.
And the truth is, these are privileged, entitled people who behave in privileged, entitled ways. Which is to say, Farrin and her parents are gross. The author goes to great lengths to keep the reader trapped in the mindset of a young, naive Farrin, but at the same time, the reader is expected to understand the historical context as an adult. There is a giant disconnect here. As an adult reader, I can clearly see Farrin is selfish, spoiled, entitled, and cold. She has grown up in a selfish, cold, and highly affluent household. Her parents are brutal people who do brutal things. No amount of "gloss" the author tries to give these people can cover up their abhorrent sense of entitlement, their narcissism, or the violence they are capable of to protect their own privilege.
Farrin is often highly unlikeable, and her parents are more unlikeable still. Had this book been adult fiction, the author could've embraced Farrin's complicity, rather than trying to emphasize her youth in a drastic effort to portray her as an innocent victim. Farrin is certainly a victim, and all teenagers have a high degree of innocence as a result of their youth -- but Farrin isn't morally clean. By the age of fifteen, she is the near-grown product of her parents, and her mindset of privilege is burdened by all of the moral dilemmas of her worldview. Farrin is not a character of integrity -- she is already morally stained. But the teenager she falls in love with -- an amazing young woman named Sadira -- is a character who *is* morally pure, and full of integrity.
The scenes with Sadira are the real joy of this book, because Sadira is the kind of protagonist who stars in most middle-grade/YA fiction.
But this isn't really a novel. Farrin's tale is a narrative slice of real life. Which means Sadira -- and Sadira's moral purity -- also belong to real life.
And what happens to people like Sadira, in the world of real life? You can certainly guess, I hope. I would hope anyone can predict what becomes of the innocent and the morally pure in a fascist regime. Especially a fascist regime touting itself as a religiously fundamentalist return to God's will, such as the Islamic totalitarian government in Iran.
In reflecting on "Moon at Nine," let me name two magnificent adult novels that also embrace the destruction of innocents in real life: "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles and "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy. If you are at all familiar with the fate of the morally-pure Finny in "A Separate Peace," or the fate of the astoundingly kind, beautiful, and loving Velutha in "The God of Small Things," then you'll understand Sadira's role in "Moon at Nine" -- which, I have no doubt, is also exactly true to real life. It is the ending of this book that most perfectly functions as a novel, because only in the final third of this book does all narrative pretense fall away, and the darkness of reality takes over.
I would have preferred this story as adult fiction, and I would have *much* preferred to know Farrin as an adult. The author wanted to focus the story on how lesbians are punished as "deviants" in fascist regimes, and I do think that's important -- but that's really not enough for me. I wanted to know what happened to Farrin after the last page of this book. What happened with the rest of her life? And how did the adult Farrin come to tell the author her story? That, to me, is the real meat of this tale. I'm always far more interested in the aftermath of damage than in the damage itself.
But I also really appreciate truth, and "Moon at Nine" tells the truth. It's a hideous truth, and the author's attempts to sugar-coat and gloss over Farrin's moral ugliness as a teenager hinders the first half of this book. But the truth of real life is still there, exploding out of these pages. And that, to me, is worth rating this book all five stars.
I recommend "Moon at Nine" to anyone who enjoys dark, morally-complicit novels like "The God of Small Things" and "A Separate Peace." Because Farrin is no traditional hero. While I did come to care about her, and feel tremendous sympathy for her, this is a story loaded with unexamined privilege and rampaging selfishness. And nothing can compare with the selfishness of Farrin's own parents, or the atrocities of the Iranian regime. The material in this book is horrifying, and it's absolutely worth reading. You'll know the truth when you see it. The absurdity and cruelty of Iranian officials, as well as the casual murder and torture of innocent Iranian citizens in this book is entirely gripping. This is Farrin's eyewitness account, and it's stunning.
What must be emphasized with this novel, however -- more so than any of its structural problems -- is that it's not really a novel at all. This is a work of creative nonfiction, with enough details changed that the author and publisher could slap on the label of "fiction." In the Author's Note, the reader learns the protagonist of this story, a fifteen-year-old Iranian named Farrin, survived the events in this book, and lived to tell the tale. Author Deborah Ellis, who has won many awards for her work in children's literature, chose to share this woman's story with the world, and the author decided that the best way to do that was to turn the real-life story of Farrin into a middle-grade/YA novel.
I think that was an exceedingly unfortunate choice, but what's done is done. The novel is a rough mess, and the first half of the book has so many emotionless, disconnected scenes because the story is far more suited to the realm of adult fiction.
But the real-life Farrin is definitely still here on the page, sharing her story with us. And for every structural problem that exists in this book, the dark, horrifying reality of the world still shines through in all its terror and heartbreak. Which is why "Moon at Nine" is still worth a 5-star rating to me, the rating of a book I wholeheartedly recommend others read.
If you have ever read Marjane Satrapi's brilliant, and highly accessible, graphic autobiography, "Persepolis," (which was also turned into a film), you'll be familiar with most of the story details in "Moon at Nine." Farrin was a child during the Islamic Revolution. Her affluent, entitled, and embittered parents were trapped in Iran after the fall of the Shah, and Farrin is fifteen by the time the Iran-Iraq War ends in 1988.
This is when the plot of the book really starts, about midway through the novel. After the war, Farrin falls in love with one of her female classmates, and once the two teens are caught kissing at school, they are both severely punished for their "crime" of "deviant" behavior. The details of what happens to them is the beating heart of this novel.
The rough beginning of this book has to do with the author's attempts to make Farrin and her parents more "likeable" to the reader, and to build sympathy for them due to the fact that they've lived through a revolution and almost a decade of war.
And the truth is, these are privileged, entitled people who behave in privileged, entitled ways. Which is to say, Farrin and her parents are gross. The author goes to great lengths to keep the reader trapped in the mindset of a young, naive Farrin, but at the same time, the reader is expected to understand the historical context as an adult. There is a giant disconnect here. As an adult reader, I can clearly see Farrin is selfish, spoiled, entitled, and cold. She has grown up in a selfish, cold, and highly affluent household. Her parents are brutal people who do brutal things. No amount of "gloss" the author tries to give these people can cover up their abhorrent sense of entitlement, their narcissism, or the violence they are capable of to protect their own privilege.
Farrin is often highly unlikeable, and her parents are more unlikeable still. Had this book been adult fiction, the author could've embraced Farrin's complicity, rather than trying to emphasize her youth in a drastic effort to portray her as an innocent victim. Farrin is certainly a victim, and all teenagers have a high degree of innocence as a result of their youth -- but Farrin isn't morally clean. By the age of fifteen, she is the near-grown product of her parents, and her mindset of privilege is burdened by all of the moral dilemmas of her worldview. Farrin is not a character of integrity -- she is already morally stained. But the teenager she falls in love with -- an amazing young woman named Sadira -- is a character who *is* morally pure, and full of integrity.
The scenes with Sadira are the real joy of this book, because Sadira is the kind of protagonist who stars in most middle-grade/YA fiction.
But this isn't really a novel. Farrin's tale is a narrative slice of real life. Which means Sadira -- and Sadira's moral purity -- also belong to real life.
And what happens to people like Sadira, in the world of real life? You can certainly guess, I hope. I would hope anyone can predict what becomes of the innocent and the morally pure in a fascist regime. Especially a fascist regime touting itself as a religiously fundamentalist return to God's will, such as the Islamic totalitarian government in Iran.
In reflecting on "Moon at Nine," let me name two magnificent adult novels that also embrace the destruction of innocents in real life: "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles and "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy. If you are at all familiar with the fate of the morally-pure Finny in "A Separate Peace," or the fate of the astoundingly kind, beautiful, and loving Velutha in "The God of Small Things," then you'll understand Sadira's role in "Moon at Nine" -- which, I have no doubt, is also exactly true to real life. It is the ending of this book that most perfectly functions as a novel, because only in the final third of this book does all narrative pretense fall away, and the darkness of reality takes over.
I would have preferred this story as adult fiction, and I would have *much* preferred to know Farrin as an adult. The author wanted to focus the story on how lesbians are punished as "deviants" in fascist regimes, and I do think that's important -- but that's really not enough for me. I wanted to know what happened to Farrin after the last page of this book. What happened with the rest of her life? And how did the adult Farrin come to tell the author her story? That, to me, is the real meat of this tale. I'm always far more interested in the aftermath of damage than in the damage itself.
But I also really appreciate truth, and "Moon at Nine" tells the truth. It's a hideous truth, and the author's attempts to sugar-coat and gloss over Farrin's moral ugliness as a teenager hinders the first half of this book. But the truth of real life is still there, exploding out of these pages. And that, to me, is worth rating this book all five stars.
I recommend "Moon at Nine" to anyone who enjoys dark, morally-complicit novels like "The God of Small Things" and "A Separate Peace." Because Farrin is no traditional hero. While I did come to care about her, and feel tremendous sympathy for her, this is a story loaded with unexamined privilege and rampaging selfishness. And nothing can compare with the selfishness of Farrin's own parents, or the atrocities of the Iranian regime. The material in this book is horrifying, and it's absolutely worth reading. You'll know the truth when you see it. The absurdity and cruelty of Iranian officials, as well as the casual murder and torture of innocent Iranian citizens in this book is entirely gripping. This is Farrin's eyewitness account, and it's stunning.
May 16, 2014
Nothing I say will do justice to Moon at Nine. This emotionally powerful story will stay with you long after you finish. The fact that it is based off a true story is utterly heart wrenching. The fact that in some countries this still happens unbearable.
Farrin comes from a wealthy family, a fact that keeps her ostracized from her fellow classmates, that desire to bring the Shah back into power. She is instructed by her mother to keep her nose down and not draw attention to herself. For the most part she does a good job, until Sadria shows up anyway. Farrin and Sadria become instant friends; a friendship which quickly blooms into something more.
While their relationship is no more than your typical relationship between young people, given the time and country they are putting their lives in danger. If caught, the girls would be facing a death sentence, regardless of the fact that they are so young.
The plot progresses rather quickly and while I don't get as fully invested into their relationship as I could have, I am invested into the characters as individuals. I especially sympathize with Farrin as the story is told from her perspective and we are in her head.
I regret is that I finished this book at work and not in the privacy of my own home. I needed to sit in silence with my thoughts and reflect on everything I just read. I needed to remember Farrin and Sadira's story without my coworkers jabbering on and phones ringing.
I urge you that even if LGBT novels to not appeal you, to pick up this book. Lock yourself away in your room until you finish it. It's only 244 pages, it won't take you long time. Once you finish this, I want you to have the reflection experience I didn't. Think about the story of these two young girls who grew up in a country and a time where they had to hide their true selves or be murdered.
Also, ensure your friends are reading it too - you will want to discuss it! Or, come back to me and we'll talk. This is the type of novel that needs to be discussed with friends, in a classroom, over the internet, what have you.
Deborah beautifully tells the story that will touch your heart and your soul. Farrin and Sadria's story needs to be told, it needs to reach those who are unaware that the LGBT community is suffering in these countries where being gay or lesbian is a criminal act, punishable by fines, hard labor, prison, or even death. And while their story is one among thousands, maybe millions, it gives a voice to those who have been silenced and forgotten.
Farrin comes from a wealthy family, a fact that keeps her ostracized from her fellow classmates, that desire to bring the Shah back into power. She is instructed by her mother to keep her nose down and not draw attention to herself. For the most part she does a good job, until Sadria shows up anyway. Farrin and Sadria become instant friends; a friendship which quickly blooms into something more.
While their relationship is no more than your typical relationship between young people, given the time and country they are putting their lives in danger. If caught, the girls would be facing a death sentence, regardless of the fact that they are so young.
The plot progresses rather quickly and while I don't get as fully invested into their relationship as I could have, I am invested into the characters as individuals. I especially sympathize with Farrin as the story is told from her perspective and we are in her head.
I regret is that I finished this book at work and not in the privacy of my own home. I needed to sit in silence with my thoughts and reflect on everything I just read. I needed to remember Farrin and Sadira's story without my coworkers jabbering on and phones ringing.
I urge you that even if LGBT novels to not appeal you, to pick up this book. Lock yourself away in your room until you finish it. It's only 244 pages, it won't take you long time. Once you finish this, I want you to have the reflection experience I didn't. Think about the story of these two young girls who grew up in a country and a time where they had to hide their true selves or be murdered.
Also, ensure your friends are reading it too - you will want to discuss it! Or, come back to me and we'll talk. This is the type of novel that needs to be discussed with friends, in a classroom, over the internet, what have you.
Deborah beautifully tells the story that will touch your heart and your soul. Farrin and Sadria's story needs to be told, it needs to reach those who are unaware that the LGBT community is suffering in these countries where being gay or lesbian is a criminal act, punishable by fines, hard labor, prison, or even death. And while their story is one among thousands, maybe millions, it gives a voice to those who have been silenced and forgotten.
February 6, 2015
Honestly, I expected Moon at Nine to be a dramatic and politically-charged version of the formulaic YA lesbian romance that I’m so familiar with. And to a degree it is. Fifteen year old Farrin, who is growing up in 1980s Iran, meets the beautiful Sadira and falls in love. The girls start a sweet relationship, which is jeopardized when it is discovered.
But because Farrin and Sadira live in 1980s Iran, the consequences of their love are very dire. Moon at Nine goes far beyond the standard formula of YA lesbian romance because the stakes are so high for these young women from the start.
Unfortunately, the riveting plot of Moon at Nine is minimized by the writing style. Perhaps in order to be accessible to younger readers, the story is told in an incredibly oversimplified manner which feels very unnatural. The writing style continually reminded me that I was reading a book, and kept me from feeling really immersed in Farrin’s world.
But despite this, I still do recommend Moon at Nine - the thrilling, heartbreaking second half of the story overshadows the book’s other flaws. Also, Ellis includes some helpful historical information about Iran at the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pajama Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
But because Farrin and Sadira live in 1980s Iran, the consequences of their love are very dire. Moon at Nine goes far beyond the standard formula of YA lesbian romance because the stakes are so high for these young women from the start.
Unfortunately, the riveting plot of Moon at Nine is minimized by the writing style. Perhaps in order to be accessible to younger readers, the story is told in an incredibly oversimplified manner which feels very unnatural. The writing style continually reminded me that I was reading a book, and kept me from feeling really immersed in Farrin’s world.
But despite this, I still do recommend Moon at Nine - the thrilling, heartbreaking second half of the story overshadows the book’s other flaws. Also, Ellis includes some helpful historical information about Iran at the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pajama Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 20, 2014
This book was obviously written by a white woman trying to understand another culture but failing epicly in doing so. This book is an easy read for ages 12 on up. It isn't terrible, just meant for younger audiences and lower to middle level readers.
December 25, 2019
This is a really good example of a book with writing that does not live up to its message. The homophobia and horrible actions of Iranian police is something that should be discussed more, especially in American media, and I appreciate that this book tackled it as a topic. However, this wasn't a very good story. Sadira seems to only be there to exposit or give out 'wisdom'. Farrin is an interesting character, but she suffers from the YA trope of 'not being like the other girls' and constant, pointless fights with his parents. I liked the nuance of her struggling with her parents' wealth, but again, it wasn't written very lyrically. Good ending though, even though it was a tad predictable. So I might recommend this to someone who wants to know more about LGBT people in Iran, but I definitely wouldn't read it again.
September 20, 2017
Ich habe dieses Buch in einem Rutsch durchgelesen - denn ich konnte einfach nicht aufhören. Es hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil, es hat den Großteil der Geschichte eine lockere, angenehme Stimmung und ist noch dazu nicht gerade dick. Perfekt für zwischendurch und perfekt, um zu zeigen, dass auch in einem Buch mit wenig Wörtern eine große Aussagekraft stecken kann.
Die Geschichte von Farrin und Sadira basiert auf einer wahren Geschichte. Und genau das macht das Buch so aufreibend. Denn diese beiden jungen Mädchen lieben sich und dürfen nicht zusammen sein. Die Politik ihres Landes entzweit sie. Zunächst durch Vorurteile, dann durch das Gesetz.
Wäre die Politik nicht, wäre dies einfach nur eine bezaubernde Liebesgeschichte zwischen zwei jungen Frauen aus ganz unterschiedlichen Familien, die gerne zusammen in die Moschee gehen und stolz auf ihre schulischen Leistungen sind. Doch Homosexualität ist im Iran, wie auch in vielen anderen Ländern (die Anmerkung der Autorin am Schluss sollten unbedingt gelesen werden!), verboten. Auf die Auslebung der Liebe steht die Todesstrafe, denn es wird als Unzucht betrachtet.
Wenn man das liest, kann man es gar nicht so wirklich glauben, dass dies jetzt gerade passiert. Das Buch spielt zwar ciiirca 1980, aber in vielen Ländern werden jeden Tag Menschen dafür getötet, dass sie ihrem Herzen folgen.
Das Buch ist aufrüttelnd und ein sehr wichtiges, sehr berührendes Buch. Das letzte Drittel ist zwar sehr heftig, aber Ellis romantisiert diesen Terror, der Liebenden dort passiert, nicht. Und das finde ich sehr gut.
Leider fand ich den Erzählstil nicht ganz gelungen. Ellis lässt immer mal wieder größere Zeitspannen aus, so dass es sich nach einer Insta-Lovestory anfühlt, obwohl es keine ist. Außerdem ging sie mir an manchen Stellen nicht tief genug, weshalb ich selbst nur einen geringen emotionalen Bezug zu Sadira und Farrin herstellen konnte, was ich sehr schade fand. An dem inneren Konflikt, den Homosexuelle bei der Entdeckung ihrer Liebe oft haben, wird wenn überhaupt nur oberflächlich gekratzt, genau wie an den Emotionen, die die Mädchen haben mussten, als ihre Eltern sich von ihnen abwenden. Generell fand ich die Beziehung zu den Eltern (und auch zu Palog und Frau Kobra) etwas sonderbar, in Farrins Fall fast schon grotesk. Es wirkte alles ein wenig überspitzt. Außerdem fragte ich mich immer wieder, ob Farrin und Sadira vorher schon einmal gespürt hatten, dass sie sich für Frauen interessierten. In dieser Geschichte fehlt irgendwie das komplette "davor" und auch das "danach".
Natürlich bin ich nicht in der Position, das Buch wirklich gut zu beurteilen zu können. Vielleicht ist es nur meine gesellschaftliche Prägung, die mich so etwas vermissen lässt oder die mich an der Beziehung zu den Eltern zweifeln lässt.
Außerdem weiß ich nicht genau, in wie weit sich das Ende der Geschichte auf LGBTIQ+ Leser auswirkt. Ich persönlich finde es wichtig, dass Ellis hier bei der Wahrheit bleibt und es nicht romantisiert oder schönredet, was in solchen Ländern passiert. Bei der Findung der eigenen Sexualität hilft das Buch aber vielleicht nicht unbedingt. Allerdings bin ich auch hier nicht in der Position, das gut zu beurteilen.
Alles in allem kann ich es aber nur empfehlen, es war definitiv eine wunderbare Bereicherung.
Großartiges Jugendbuch, dass alle Aufmerksamkeit der Welt verdient
Die Geschichte von Farrin und Sadira basiert auf einer wahren Geschichte. Und genau das macht das Buch so aufreibend. Denn diese beiden jungen Mädchen lieben sich und dürfen nicht zusammen sein. Die Politik ihres Landes entzweit sie. Zunächst durch Vorurteile, dann durch das Gesetz.
Wäre die Politik nicht, wäre dies einfach nur eine bezaubernde Liebesgeschichte zwischen zwei jungen Frauen aus ganz unterschiedlichen Familien, die gerne zusammen in die Moschee gehen und stolz auf ihre schulischen Leistungen sind. Doch Homosexualität ist im Iran, wie auch in vielen anderen Ländern (die Anmerkung der Autorin am Schluss sollten unbedingt gelesen werden!), verboten. Auf die Auslebung der Liebe steht die Todesstrafe, denn es wird als Unzucht betrachtet.
Wenn man das liest, kann man es gar nicht so wirklich glauben, dass dies jetzt gerade passiert. Das Buch spielt zwar ciiirca 1980, aber in vielen Ländern werden jeden Tag Menschen dafür getötet, dass sie ihrem Herzen folgen.
Das Buch ist aufrüttelnd und ein sehr wichtiges, sehr berührendes Buch. Das letzte Drittel ist zwar sehr heftig, aber Ellis romantisiert diesen Terror, der Liebenden dort passiert, nicht. Und das finde ich sehr gut.
Leider fand ich den Erzählstil nicht ganz gelungen. Ellis lässt immer mal wieder größere Zeitspannen aus, so dass es sich nach einer Insta-Lovestory anfühlt, obwohl es keine ist. Außerdem ging sie mir an manchen Stellen nicht tief genug, weshalb ich selbst nur einen geringen emotionalen Bezug zu Sadira und Farrin herstellen konnte, was ich sehr schade fand. An dem inneren Konflikt, den Homosexuelle bei der Entdeckung ihrer Liebe oft haben, wird wenn überhaupt nur oberflächlich gekratzt, genau wie an den Emotionen, die die Mädchen haben mussten, als ihre Eltern sich von ihnen abwenden. Generell fand ich die Beziehung zu den Eltern (und auch zu Palog und Frau Kobra) etwas sonderbar, in Farrins Fall fast schon grotesk. Es wirkte alles ein wenig überspitzt. Außerdem fragte ich mich immer wieder, ob Farrin und Sadira vorher schon einmal gespürt hatten, dass sie sich für Frauen interessierten. In dieser Geschichte fehlt irgendwie das komplette "davor" und auch das "danach".
Natürlich bin ich nicht in der Position, das Buch wirklich gut zu beurteilen zu können. Vielleicht ist es nur meine gesellschaftliche Prägung, die mich so etwas vermissen lässt oder die mich an der Beziehung zu den Eltern zweifeln lässt.
Außerdem weiß ich nicht genau, in wie weit sich das Ende der Geschichte auf LGBTIQ+ Leser auswirkt. Ich persönlich finde es wichtig, dass Ellis hier bei der Wahrheit bleibt und es nicht romantisiert oder schönredet, was in solchen Ländern passiert. Bei der Findung der eigenen Sexualität hilft das Buch aber vielleicht nicht unbedingt. Allerdings bin ich auch hier nicht in der Position, das gut zu beurteilen.
Alles in allem kann ich es aber nur empfehlen, es war definitiv eine wunderbare Bereicherung.
Großartiges Jugendbuch, dass alle Aufmerksamkeit der Welt verdient
December 4, 2014
I'm somewhat on the fence about this book. I liked it. I found it very enlightening about the situation girls faced in Iran in the 80s, that period after the Shah and the revolution, before Desert Storm. Girls are permitted to go to school but so much is yet forbidden: music, movies, etc, and they must only wear certain clothes. We meet a headstrong young teenager in a household of secrets and she has one of her own. She likes other girls, or at least thinks she does. I'll get to that.
I really liked her character and especially her friend's. They long to be independent, free to make their own choices, and even though they both have crappy home lives, they make the most of their situations and find joy in their lives--with each other. Farrin certainly doesn't get much love at home.
"Now I know she looks like a bit of a monkey, with that dark skin of hers. That's what I get for marrying into a family of desert-dwellers. But look beyond that ugliness, if you can..."
Her mother says that. To hear that from one's own mother and yet face each day with optimism and strive to get good grades and all...that's amazing. This is not a weak girl.
But at the same time, while I admired her pluck, I also thought her a bit stupid. What her and her friend do, how they get caught, I was sitting there going, "How could you smart girls--girls at the very top of your school--be so very dumb? You just saw a man hanged not long ago and now you do this, here, with the situation being what it is in your country? You couldn't wait?" And then they rebel as much as they can with their protesting and shouting and frankly, it doesn't help their situations. They went from being brave and spunky to TSTL. On the other hand, would I have acted any different? Haven't we all been wrapped up in the feeling of the moment?
This is based on a true story and if that's how it went down...then that's how it went down. The ending--sad and yet realistic--as cruel as this will sound, got the story back on track. It's not how I WANTED it to end, but after the unrealistic behavior of the girls that I found hard to fathom, I was expecting a cheesy, unrealistic HEA and was surprised. This is followed by a lovely author's note that is truly educational. I had no idea that 4,000 gay or lesbian Iranians have been executed since 1979.
I also felt while I was reading that the girls were not really lesbians...
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
I really liked her character and especially her friend's. They long to be independent, free to make their own choices, and even though they both have crappy home lives, they make the most of their situations and find joy in their lives--with each other. Farrin certainly doesn't get much love at home.
"Now I know she looks like a bit of a monkey, with that dark skin of hers. That's what I get for marrying into a family of desert-dwellers. But look beyond that ugliness, if you can..."
Her mother says that. To hear that from one's own mother and yet face each day with optimism and strive to get good grades and all...that's amazing. This is not a weak girl.
But at the same time, while I admired her pluck, I also thought her a bit stupid. What her and her friend do, how they get caught, I was sitting there going, "How could you smart girls--girls at the very top of your school--be so very dumb? You just saw a man hanged not long ago and now you do this, here, with the situation being what it is in your country? You couldn't wait?" And then they rebel as much as they can with their protesting and shouting and frankly, it doesn't help their situations. They went from being brave and spunky to TSTL. On the other hand, would I have acted any different? Haven't we all been wrapped up in the feeling of the moment?
This is based on a true story and if that's how it went down...then that's how it went down. The ending--sad and yet realistic--as cruel as this will sound, got the story back on track. It's not how I WANTED it to end, but after the unrealistic behavior of the girls that I found hard to fathom, I was expecting a cheesy, unrealistic HEA and was surprised. This is followed by a lovely author's note that is truly educational. I had no idea that 4,000 gay or lesbian Iranians have been executed since 1979.
I also felt while I was reading that the girls were not really lesbians...
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
June 6, 2024
girl what is this book. ngl like i was reading it for a school project and what is this?? I hate everyone even the main characters like be quiet. Farrin has like such a weird victim mindset and like i get her mom is weird but girl get outta here. Sadira too i dont like her like how u gonna act the way u are. Everones like oh shes a hero n sht but girl shes reckless and strange. This two weirdos were made for eachother. i aint like the writing also why is the author white when the book is abt persian girls. like ik its a stroy n sht but it doesnt sit right w me how shes writing it ngl. nyways i hate everyone. the only good character is the principal. the end
March 17, 2014
I think Ellis has tackled a tough topic here - same sex relationships in Iran - with real integrity, grace and passion - it is a powerful novel that I think offers no easy answers in terms of dealing with prejudice aimed at GLTBQ people in so many countries around the world - at first I wondered why Ellis had chosen to set the novel in 1988 but it makes sense - Iran's appalling human rights record is nothing new - it's decades old and that's an issue that we have to grapple with - Ellis doesn't offer us a fairy tale ending either and I admired the book for the truths it tells
November 21, 2018
Blue. A true blue story. A true blue story that will make you cry true blue tears. The book "Moon At Nine" is a story that will truly make you feel guilty. I noticed that the author build the story up to make you feel like it would have a happy ending and that everything would be fine. But in the end, she decides to break your heart. Farrin, a girl living in Iran who's parents put so much pressure on, doesn't have many friends, in fact, none. Until she meets Sadira, a girl that lit up her world and, completely made Farrin see it a different way. Farrin fell in love. As homosexuals in Iran, they knew their love couldn't go anywhere. Both girls decided to stay quiet until the guards saw them...kiss. They were torn apart that very second and sent to jail. The longest week of Farrin's life. The news came, the news that both Sadira and Farrin were going to be set free, but that's only what Farring got told...
This book is the most descriptive, vivid story I've read yet. The story has so much detail that it's so easy to imagine what the author describes. The plot in the story is so original and there is no part in the book that I lost interest in. It's a true, blue, story.
This book is the most descriptive, vivid story I've read yet. The story has so much detail that it's so easy to imagine what the author describes. The plot in the story is so original and there is no part in the book that I lost interest in. It's a true, blue, story.
March 31, 2018
dieses buch hat mich emotional fertig gemacht. mein herz ist gebrochen. ich bin so geschockt von dieser grausamkeit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
4.5 star rating
I love it when I come across books from nations and cultures different from what I am accustomed to.
This is a story set in Iran, during war and narrating the highs and lows of a love between two girls.
Wonderfully written and thought provoking.
I love it when I come across books from nations and cultures different from what I am accustomed to.
This is a story set in Iran, during war and narrating the highs and lows of a love between two girls.
Wonderfully written and thought provoking.
February 3, 2015
Brave. Though my experience of the first half read like a (Persian, homosexual) Sweet Valley High, I kept thinking tackling this subject matter was incredibly courageous.
Pushing through simple text, overly dramatic short sentences that ended every chapter, and the somewhat sappy love story, I was rewarded with a plot-driven, emotionally engaging second half. I get the sense that the latter chapters are a fairly true re-telling of events as they unfolded for the real-life Farrin, and early chapters are an artistic rendition, as imagined by the author, of how the romance may have begun for two angst-ridden teenagers. So the first half gets one star, the second half gets three stars.
Thanks to the author for providing a historical summation and backdrop to the story. Rather than a concluding Author's Note, I would have preferred that it be included up-front as a preface (minus the statistics on life sentences, executions, etc), so that I could better appreciate the context and motivations behind the Shah and Ayatollah camps, as I was reading.
That all said, I'm so glad I read this book. I'm blessed to have many, many Iranian friends, two who fall under this particular 'triple minority' segment of the population, and I feel a glimmer of understanding I didn't before, having read it.
Pushing through simple text, overly dramatic short sentences that ended every chapter, and the somewhat sappy love story, I was rewarded with a plot-driven, emotionally engaging second half. I get the sense that the latter chapters are a fairly true re-telling of events as they unfolded for the real-life Farrin, and early chapters are an artistic rendition, as imagined by the author, of how the romance may have begun for two angst-ridden teenagers. So the first half gets one star, the second half gets three stars.
Thanks to the author for providing a historical summation and backdrop to the story. Rather than a concluding Author's Note, I would have preferred that it be included up-front as a preface (minus the statistics on life sentences, executions, etc), so that I could better appreciate the context and motivations behind the Shah and Ayatollah camps, as I was reading.
That all said, I'm so glad I read this book. I'm blessed to have many, many Iranian friends, two who fall under this particular 'triple minority' segment of the population, and I feel a glimmer of understanding I didn't before, having read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2014
I finally got to read this book after buying it at Chapters in the Spring but making the mistake of taking it into work where it consequently made the rounds before I got it back a couple of weeks ago. My co-workers who read it had nothing but awesome things to say about it.
It's a good read and was kind of hard for me because I know the person whom the book is based on which is how I found about it. Knowing her and more of the story that it's based on gave me a different perspective on it. I have to say that the author did a really good job with the novel and I'm happy her story is out and making people more aware of what goes on in other parts of the world and the ordeals that some endure to simply be who they are and love who they love, which are things that are sometimes taken for granted. Here's hoping that awareness brings change.
It's a good read and was kind of hard for me because I know the person whom the book is based on which is how I found about it. Knowing her and more of the story that it's based on gave me a different perspective on it. I have to say that the author did a really good job with the novel and I'm happy her story is out and making people more aware of what goes on in other parts of the world and the ordeals that some endure to simply be who they are and love who they love, which are things that are sometimes taken for granted. Here's hoping that awareness brings change.
April 30, 2017
This book was an eye-opener. Set in Iran during the time of the Ayatollah Khomeini, the story is about two teenage girls who fall in love in a country where it's forbidden. According to the question-and-answer section at the back of the book, over 70 countries currently consider being gay or lesbian a crime. Hard to believe in the 21st century. While reading the story I wanted to reach inside and tell the girls to be less obvious about it, to be more careful, but their innocent belief that they can be together brings their downfall. Such a sad story. Why can't people just be left in peace? Outstanding story, well told. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2016
Moon at Nine is a beautifully written YA book about two young women in Iran who meet during high school and fall in love. It is a true story and will tug at your heart strings. I appreciated the fact that the author included an Author's Note at the end of the story with information about gay rights in Iran and around the world.
Unfortunately for me, on the Goodreads app, a certain reviewer's spoiler filled review was not hidden and the book was ruined for me shortly after I started it.
Unfortunately for me, on the Goodreads app, a certain reviewer's spoiler filled review was not hidden and the book was ruined for me shortly after I started it.
February 6, 2017
That ending leaves me feeling suffocated with sadness.
I do like Farrin and Sadira. And my heart breaks for them. Them and so many others who face violence and hatred just for being themselves.
But I didn't connect to this story as emotionally as I would've liked to. Hence the 3 star rating.
But still. This is a good book that should be read.
I do like Farrin and Sadira. And my heart breaks for them. Them and so many others who face violence and hatred just for being themselves.
But I didn't connect to this story as emotionally as I would've liked to. Hence the 3 star rating.
But still. This is a good book that should be read.
May 7, 2014
I would like to thank The Cover Contessa, author Deborah Ellis, NetGalley, and Pajama Press for the opportunity to read this e-book. While I received my copy of the e-book for free, that in no way influences the content of my review.
A startling look into a culture that is difficult to understand for most Westerners, this book shines a bright light on just one of many atrocities still occurring in our world today. Although this story is set Iran during the late 80's, very little has changed regarding their attitude toward homosexuality. This book tells the tale of a sweet romance, with no gratuitous sexual scenes to detract from the message of the story. It is a sad tale of innocence trapped in the midst of rigid cultural mores.
Farrin is at once a likable character with her outward appearances and inner world. But it is a lonely existence, one forced upon her by her parents, who are stuck reliving their 'glory days' when the Shaw was still in power - power that was conferred to them by association. She must do well in school, but not well enough to call attention to herself; a fine balancing act for a teenager walking a tightrope between warring ways of life, both of which she must blend into, without making a ripple in either. All of this means Farrin is an outcast in her girls school.
Until Sadira's sudden arrival Farrin never knew how lonely she truly was. Sadira exposes Farrin up to a new way of viewing the world. Though the two come from radically different backgrounds, they share similar inner lives. Those similarities lead them to slowly bond, for Farrin has never really had a friend and is afraid of doing the wrong thing. It is at once heartbreaking and humorous to witness the depth of Farrin's inexperience in relating to a peer. Once the friendship has begun, it rapidly blossoms into something beautiful.
Unfortunately for them, even something as simple as holding hands can draw the wrong attention. And with the bitter Pargol just waiting for either of them to make a misstep, they are facing steep risk of discovery. In fact they are caught by an elder family member of Farrin's, and right away talk of arranged marriages begins. The two girls are terrified but determined not to give up on their love - even when they are caught and taken to prison to be executed for their crime of deviant behavior. All Farrin can do is alternate between her prayers that her parents will relent and find some way to get both girls out to safety.
The book is sweet and tender even while dealing with topics of mass murder, and corrupt politics (much of it thanks to the a United States). That this is based upon a true story is at once horrifying and uplifting, for it shows what love and determination can accomplish. I would easily recommend this book to those in grade seven and up. It gracefully handles a number of delicate topics, issues which we should be far more aware of from a young age, so that we may help find solutions to the problems - some of which we've (the USA) helped create.
Fifteen-year-old Farrin has many secrets. Although she goes to a school for gifted girls in Tehran, as the daughter of an aristocratic mother and wealthy father, Farrin must keep a low profile. It is 1988; ever since the Shah was overthrown, the deeply conservative and religious government controls every facet of life in Iran. If the Revolutionary Guard finds out about her mother’s Bring Back the Shah activities, her family could be thrown in jail, or worse.
The day she meets Sadira, Farrin’s life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise, and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?
Based on real-life events, multi-award winning author Deborah Ellis’s new book is a tense and riveting story about a world where homosexuality is considered so abhorrent that it is punishable by death.
A startling look into a culture that is difficult to understand for most Westerners, this book shines a bright light on just one of many atrocities still occurring in our world today. Although this story is set Iran during the late 80's, very little has changed regarding their attitude toward homosexuality. This book tells the tale of a sweet romance, with no gratuitous sexual scenes to detract from the message of the story. It is a sad tale of innocence trapped in the midst of rigid cultural mores.
Farrin is at once a likable character with her outward appearances and inner world. But it is a lonely existence, one forced upon her by her parents, who are stuck reliving their 'glory days' when the Shaw was still in power - power that was conferred to them by association. She must do well in school, but not well enough to call attention to herself; a fine balancing act for a teenager walking a tightrope between warring ways of life, both of which she must blend into, without making a ripple in either. All of this means Farrin is an outcast in her girls school.
Until Sadira's sudden arrival Farrin never knew how lonely she truly was. Sadira exposes Farrin up to a new way of viewing the world. Though the two come from radically different backgrounds, they share similar inner lives. Those similarities lead them to slowly bond, for Farrin has never really had a friend and is afraid of doing the wrong thing. It is at once heartbreaking and humorous to witness the depth of Farrin's inexperience in relating to a peer. Once the friendship has begun, it rapidly blossoms into something beautiful.
Unfortunately for them, even something as simple as holding hands can draw the wrong attention. And with the bitter Pargol just waiting for either of them to make a misstep, they are facing steep risk of discovery. In fact they are caught by an elder family member of Farrin's, and right away talk of arranged marriages begins. The two girls are terrified but determined not to give up on their love - even when they are caught and taken to prison to be executed for their crime of deviant behavior. All Farrin can do is alternate between her prayers that her parents will relent and find some way to get both girls out to safety.
The book is sweet and tender even while dealing with topics of mass murder, and corrupt politics (much of it thanks to the a United States). That this is based upon a true story is at once horrifying and uplifting, for it shows what love and determination can accomplish. I would easily recommend this book to those in grade seven and up. It gracefully handles a number of delicate topics, issues which we should be far more aware of from a young age, so that we may help find solutions to the problems - some of which we've (the USA) helped create.
Read
March 5, 2018Life comes with its hard times. For most of us it seems to come whether we are wearing the coolest clothes or rather a certain someone likes us like we like them. For Esperanza the concerns of the typical teenager are very different. In the novel, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, Esperanza Ortega face challenges that most people could never imagine. This young adult book is perfectly categorized as so because Esperanza is at the age where any teenager can relate, also her story is easily relatable to any teen going through major life changes.
At the beginning of the novel Esperanza’s life seems to be something out of a dream. She lives a life of splendor on a ranch in Mexico with her parents and grandmother. Her life is filled with tea parties, rose gardens, and cattling horses. But when tragedy hits, no spoilers here, Esperanza and her mother must flee to California when their lives are threatened. It is in California that Esperanza truly learns what it is like to struggle. Her mother and her move into a small house, that is basically a hut, with members of her extended family that moved to California to make money during the depression. Here she learns what hard work is as her mother is forced to work the fields, after never working a real day’s work since Esperanza could remember. Esperanza is also tested when she is forced to watch after the two younger kids that are also living with her. After feeding them plums that make them sick she has to come up with a solution to make them better. She learns to trust her instincts and that she has more knowledge about the real world than she thought. Then when things seem to be looking up and Esperanza forms a routine her mother gets sick and they are threatened to be kicked out if she can no longer work, again no spoilers on the outcome. Through it all Esperanza keeps her hope for the future and she is able to overcome adversity with her mother and family by her side.
After reading this novel I would give it four out of five stars. One of the things that really stayed with me after reading this novel is how resilient the human spirit can be. At the beginning of the novel Esperanza had all the hope in the world. She lived the life of luxury with her family and had everything at her disposal. Without so much as a warning this was all ripped from her. Even though her life was not an easy transition to working and taking care of small children she never gave up. She tried to keep her positive attitude, even when her mom got sick and she felt like she was losing everyone. As the title of the book suggests, hope always rises. This novel made me realize that my struggle are nothing compared to what Esperanza went through and all of the other people that tried to survive by picking produce in California during the depression. If those people can continue to hope for a better future, I believe that I can too.
At the beginning of the novel Esperanza’s life seems to be something out of a dream. She lives a life of splendor on a ranch in Mexico with her parents and grandmother. Her life is filled with tea parties, rose gardens, and cattling horses. But when tragedy hits, no spoilers here, Esperanza and her mother must flee to California when their lives are threatened. It is in California that Esperanza truly learns what it is like to struggle. Her mother and her move into a small house, that is basically a hut, with members of her extended family that moved to California to make money during the depression. Here she learns what hard work is as her mother is forced to work the fields, after never working a real day’s work since Esperanza could remember. Esperanza is also tested when she is forced to watch after the two younger kids that are also living with her. After feeding them plums that make them sick she has to come up with a solution to make them better. She learns to trust her instincts and that she has more knowledge about the real world than she thought. Then when things seem to be looking up and Esperanza forms a routine her mother gets sick and they are threatened to be kicked out if she can no longer work, again no spoilers on the outcome. Through it all Esperanza keeps her hope for the future and she is able to overcome adversity with her mother and family by her side.
After reading this novel I would give it four out of five stars. One of the things that really stayed with me after reading this novel is how resilient the human spirit can be. At the beginning of the novel Esperanza had all the hope in the world. She lived the life of luxury with her family and had everything at her disposal. Without so much as a warning this was all ripped from her. Even though her life was not an easy transition to working and taking care of small children she never gave up. She tried to keep her positive attitude, even when her mom got sick and she felt like she was losing everyone. As the title of the book suggests, hope always rises. This novel made me realize that my struggle are nothing compared to what Esperanza went through and all of the other people that tried to survive by picking produce in California during the depression. If those people can continue to hope for a better future, I believe that I can too.
March 20, 2015
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Moon at Nine is the touching story of two people trying to find love in a dangerous place (I can’t help but think of that Barenaked Ladies’ song “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” while writing this review). To be specific that time is 1988 Iran. Farrin is a silent observer of the turmoil that is erupting all over her country. She comes from a wealthy family and they live in fear of the newly instated religious government. Though her parents attending nightly parties may suggest otherwise, when you realize they’re partying to block out the sounds of the bombing and because every night might be their last night on Earth you see how precarious their situation really is. She goes to a good school and she keeps her head down, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. The Revolutionary Guard is always ready to swoop in and arrest/punish those who don’t live up to their standards.
That is until she meets Sadira. Sadira comes from a very different homelife – her mother was killed in the bombings and she lives with her father in a house not nearly as nice as Farrin’s. She values books and education, whereas Farrin prefers to watch illegal videos of American television and write fantasy stories. But nevertheless they are drawn together. They are unlikely friends but they soon grow into much more than that. Their romance helps Farrin find courage within herself. Whereas previously she kept her head down and stayed out of everyone’s way, now she wants to fight for the girl she loves – a dangerous prospect as being gay in Iran is punishable by death.
Their story is beautiful and their love for one another intense, but the story takes a sad turn after they are caught kissing one day at school. The horrors they are put through, just because they’ve fallen in love, are at times difficult to read. What makes it even harder is knowing that this was based on a true story. The prose is very sparse and straight forward and while I’m not a fan of that style I think it was a appropriate for this story. Ellis was sharing a story of two women that she had been entrusted with. She wanted to get it out there for the world to read. Adding more flowery language or taking extra poetic license would have detracted from their struggle.
I do wish more of the history was woven into the story instead of placed in the afterword. While reading you learn that Iran was previously governed by a Shah, but now the Ayatollah is in charge and they are facing constant attacks from a US-backed Iraq. After reading I was curious about who the Shah and Ayatollah were so I did some of my own reading. It’s a fascinating and complex history and as someone who regretfully doesn’t know that much about Iran I think I would have gained more from having it in the text itself.
Moon at Nine is an important story. Diverse books like this are important because they educate us about other cultures and they’re an opportunity for people to share their stories when others want to silence them. Previous to reading I had no idea things were so bad in Iran for the LGBTQ community but now I know about organizations like Rainbow Railroad and want to do what I can to support them. I recommend Moon at Nine for those who enjoyed The Tyrant’s Daughter by J C Carleson and If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan.
Moon at Nine is the touching story of two people trying to find love in a dangerous place (I can’t help but think of that Barenaked Ladies’ song “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” while writing this review). To be specific that time is 1988 Iran. Farrin is a silent observer of the turmoil that is erupting all over her country. She comes from a wealthy family and they live in fear of the newly instated religious government. Though her parents attending nightly parties may suggest otherwise, when you realize they’re partying to block out the sounds of the bombing and because every night might be their last night on Earth you see how precarious their situation really is. She goes to a good school and she keeps her head down, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. The Revolutionary Guard is always ready to swoop in and arrest/punish those who don’t live up to their standards.
That is until she meets Sadira. Sadira comes from a very different homelife – her mother was killed in the bombings and she lives with her father in a house not nearly as nice as Farrin’s. She values books and education, whereas Farrin prefers to watch illegal videos of American television and write fantasy stories. But nevertheless they are drawn together. They are unlikely friends but they soon grow into much more than that. Their romance helps Farrin find courage within herself. Whereas previously she kept her head down and stayed out of everyone’s way, now she wants to fight for the girl she loves – a dangerous prospect as being gay in Iran is punishable by death.
Their story is beautiful and their love for one another intense, but the story takes a sad turn after they are caught kissing one day at school. The horrors they are put through, just because they’ve fallen in love, are at times difficult to read. What makes it even harder is knowing that this was based on a true story. The prose is very sparse and straight forward and while I’m not a fan of that style I think it was a appropriate for this story. Ellis was sharing a story of two women that she had been entrusted with. She wanted to get it out there for the world to read. Adding more flowery language or taking extra poetic license would have detracted from their struggle.
I do wish more of the history was woven into the story instead of placed in the afterword. While reading you learn that Iran was previously governed by a Shah, but now the Ayatollah is in charge and they are facing constant attacks from a US-backed Iraq. After reading I was curious about who the Shah and Ayatollah were so I did some of my own reading. It’s a fascinating and complex history and as someone who regretfully doesn’t know that much about Iran I think I would have gained more from having it in the text itself.
Moon at Nine is an important story. Diverse books like this are important because they educate us about other cultures and they’re an opportunity for people to share their stories when others want to silence them. Previous to reading I had no idea things were so bad in Iran for the LGBTQ community but now I know about organizations like Rainbow Railroad and want to do what I can to support them. I recommend Moon at Nine for those who enjoyed The Tyrant’s Daughter by J C Carleson and If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan.
January 31, 2015
More reviews at Mrs. ReaderPants.
REVIEW: I was very young when the Iranian Revolution occurred and knew little of Ayatollah Khomeini and his Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). I do remember brief bits of news coverage of Ayatollah, and I'll never forget my mom's bright yellow t-shirt that read "Ayatollah is an Assahola." (Who knew my sweet Mama was so political?!) While I've read a few books about women's rights under the Taliban, this is the first one I've read about civil rights violations in Iran.
It took me a little bit to really get "into" this story, but once Farrin and Sadira's relationship turned romantic, I could not put it down. I knew the girls would ultimately be arrested for their homosexuality (it's right there in the blurb), and that happens pretty quickly once the girls decide they love each other. After that, the action picks up considerably as the girls try to figure out a way to be together but ultimately get themselves arrested instead.
This story is pretty short, but the last 75 pages really pack a punch. I loved the ending best of all, especially since I really had no idea whether Farrin and Sadira would get away or be killed. It's excellent and kept me guessing, all the way to the end.
I especially love the Author's Note at the end, which gives a brief history of Iran's political turmoil and the persecution of homosexuals that still exists today in over 70 countries, including Iran. As I mentioned, I was so young when all this happened, I was really curious about the history by the end. Ellis also discusses the continued persecution of gays worldwide in the Author's Note. This wasn't a surprise to me, but I was surprised to read that they can be executed for it in some places. Wow.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Beautifully-written and fast-paced, this short historical novel kept me guessing right up to the last pages.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: This novel just feels like an adult novel. There is no specific content I worry about, but is just feels too mature for middle school.
READALIKES: A Thousand Splendid Suns (Hosseini); My Forbidden Face (Latifa); I Am Malala (Yousefzai)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 4/5
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Engrossing: 4/5--first half a little slow
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to teens: 4/5--may need some historical context since today's teens were not alive in the 1980s
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild; homosexuality (limited to hand-holding and a few chaste kisses)
Violence: medium; execution by bullet and hanging; mistreatment of prisoners; severe civil rights violations
Drugs/Alcohol: mild; parents drink wine at parties
February 21, 2014
I feel bad for not liking Moon at Nine as much as I wish I could have, because honestly, part of it isn't even the book's fault. I knew going in it was going to be a book about Tragic Gays, but there was still a slight glimmer of hope from this queer girl that maybe it would end happily.
I won't spoil it past that. Like I said, it's not the book's fault I'm really sick of the Tragic Gays trope, or the fact that publishers only seem to find value in books about gay kids that are all about how sad their lives are because they're gay.
But past that, I also had issues with the writing -- frankly it was a little immature at times, and rather choppy. It didn't flow and more than once I was jarred out of the story by a sentence that just didn't work. I also question ending the story where it did; while I enjoyed seeing Farrin and Sadira's relationship bloom, I would have also liked to see Farrin's journey after she gets out of prison. That would have been a truly inspiring story, I think.
Perhaps I'm being harsh on the book for not being what I wanted it to be. I didn't hate it, it just... made me really, truly tired.
It's worth a look at to see a YA book focus on characters that aren't white, Christian, or straight. But I don't know that I can recommend it past those valuable aspects.
A copy of this novel was provided by NetGalley for review.
I won't spoil it past that. Like I said, it's not the book's fault I'm really sick of the Tragic Gays trope, or the fact that publishers only seem to find value in books about gay kids that are all about how sad their lives are because they're gay.
But past that, I also had issues with the writing -- frankly it was a little immature at times, and rather choppy. It didn't flow and more than once I was jarred out of the story by a sentence that just didn't work. I also question ending the story where it did; while I enjoyed seeing Farrin and Sadira's relationship bloom, I would have also liked to see Farrin's journey after she gets out of prison. That would have been a truly inspiring story, I think.
Perhaps I'm being harsh on the book for not being what I wanted it to be. I didn't hate it, it just... made me really, truly tired.
It's worth a look at to see a YA book focus on characters that aren't white, Christian, or straight. But I don't know that I can recommend it past those valuable aspects.
A copy of this novel was provided by NetGalley for review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews