The Ruby Tear Catcher

by Nahid Sewell

The Ruby Tear Catcher is the heartwarming story of an Iranian woman whose life is uprooted during the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the 1970s and 1980s. While jailed in a Tehran for her father's alleged crimes, Leila tells her story in flashback, describing her childhood in Tehran, college in the US and return to Iran post-revolution, where she experiences radical changes, particularly for women.

ebook

First published February 7, 2011

About the author

Nahid Sewell was born in Tehran, Iran, before the Islamic Revolution. After finishing high school in Tehran, she came to the United States, where she obtained a B.A. and M.B.A. from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, Nahid began a successful career in Information Technology. While holding full-time positions and raising a family, she began writing a series of technical articles and was a frequent conference speaker. Her first non-fiction book was a best-seller in its category. She followed with three additional non-fiction books. Nahid has written hundreds of articles for trade publications, eight of which were featured on magazine covers. She has served as a columnist for two different magazines and earned a writing award for an article published in 2007. Nahid is also an award-winning speaker.
While establishing herself as a successful author and Information Technology executive, Nahid married an American man and has two sons. Her husband, who lived for twenty years in a Christian community, provided much of the context for Christian fundamentalism in this, her debut novel. Together, their life’s experiences provide color and add authenticity to this fictional story of an Iranian woman’s struggle against intolerance. Their shared vision of a world where men and women of all colors and cultures, all races and religions, recognize their interconnected oneness gave life to this book.
Nahid is fluent in English, Farsi, and French and has traveled to Iran with her family on many occasions, where she experienced and observed first-hand the turmoil and transition she writes about. She enjoys traveling, gourmet cooking, and exercise in her spare time.

Reviews

[Carly Compass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read on the subject of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the 1970's and 1980's. Nahid Sewell is without a doubt an accomplished author; her writing style is easy and captivating. I feel that she was able to capture her culture and display it for all to see. She writes a gripping tale that is both enthralling and suspenseful that deals directly with woman’s issues in the Middle East under Islamic rule.

In both books, though, I felt a chasm in the understanding of the class structure. Although Leila the protagonist of the novel enjoys a wonderful life in pre-revolutionary Tehran, the author neglects to speak about how the Shah treated individuals who were not in the upper class, or from rich and influential families. I would’ve liked to have read more about that, perhaps shedding some light on how and why the revolution came about in the first place.

There were a few quotes that I wanted to include; When Leila scolds her father about Majlabah’s attitude toward the faithful:

"Remember daughter you don't open a mind by beating it down; you must raise it to the light, (kindle 23%)” and “Well daughter it is good to be open minded. Just be careful with religious groups. Religion is good in moderation. It can be a comfort in times of need. It can guide us to be better, gentler people. But taken to the extreme, it becomes destructive, (Kindle 26%).”

As the story continues though, I think the author need to do a lot more research on Catholicism, as the characters in the book experienced an occult type religious sect that in fifty years living in America as a Catholic I have never encountered.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you are looking to get a better understanding of the Middle East's and Women’s struggles under the Islamic Rule.

[Llorenz1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. I like reading books based on other cultures.