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Veil of Roses #1
Veil of Roses
This compelling novel follows one spirited young woman from the confines of Iran to the intoxicating freedom of America--where she discovers not only an enticing new country but the roots of her own independence. . . .
Tamila Soroush wanted it all. But in the Islamic Republic of Iran, dreams are a dangerous thing for a girl. Knowing they can never come true, Tami abandons them. . . . Until her twenty-fifth birthday, when her parents give her a one-way ticket to America, hoping she will "go and wake up her luck." If they have their way, Tami will never return to Iran . . . which means she has three months to find a husband in America. Three months before she's sent back for good.
From her first Victoria's Secret bra to her first ride on a motor scooter to her first country line-dance, Tami drinks in the freedom of an American girl. Inspired to pursue her passion for photography, she even captures her adventures on film. But looming over her is the fact that she must find an Iranian-born husband before her visa expires. To complicate matters, her friendship with Ike, a young American man, has grown stronger. And it is becoming harder for Tami to ignore the forbidden feelings she has for him.
It's in her English as a second language classes that Tami finds a support system. With the encouragement of headstrong Eva, loyal Nadia, and Agata and Josef, who are carving out a love story of their own, perhaps Tami can keep dreaming--and find a way to stay in America. Book one in a 2-book series.
Tamila Soroush wanted it all. But in the Islamic Republic of Iran, dreams are a dangerous thing for a girl. Knowing they can never come true, Tami abandons them. . . . Until her twenty-fifth birthday, when her parents give her a one-way ticket to America, hoping she will "go and wake up her luck." If they have their way, Tami will never return to Iran . . . which means she has three months to find a husband in America. Three months before she's sent back for good.
From her first Victoria's Secret bra to her first ride on a motor scooter to her first country line-dance, Tami drinks in the freedom of an American girl. Inspired to pursue her passion for photography, she even captures her adventures on film. But looming over her is the fact that she must find an Iranian-born husband before her visa expires. To complicate matters, her friendship with Ike, a young American man, has grown stronger. And it is becoming harder for Tami to ignore the forbidden feelings she has for him.
It's in her English as a second language classes that Tami finds a support system. With the encouragement of headstrong Eva, loyal Nadia, and Agata and Josef, who are carving out a love story of their own, perhaps Tami can keep dreaming--and find a way to stay in America. Book one in a 2-book series.
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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November 4, 2007
This is not the book to read if you want to learn about Iranian women or Islam. I was not surprised to find that the author's only connection to Iran is that her husband lived there until the age of ten. She is certainly allowed her own opinion of Iran, but is clearly misinformed on many counts. For one thing, "all good Muslim men" do NOT dream of meeting a limitless supply of virgins in heaven. And, although women in Iran do have fewer freedoms than they do in the U.S., they are allowed creative expression. Fitzgerald claims that female artists are not allowed to perform in front of men. I have seen this happen with my own eyes. I have seen female musicians performing with men onstage in Iran. I have seen artwork by female Iranians, and I have seen them acting on Iranian television.
I do not pretend that the Iranian government is not corrupt, because it is in many ways. However, the way they portray Islam is false. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, when the Muslims of Saudi Arabia were living in Medina, they had a covenant with the Jews who also lived there. The Muslims never forced Islam on the Jews. Also, when Muslims ruled Spain, Jews there had a great life of freedom. Just because Iran made a mistake in interpreting Islam, does not mean that that is what Islam stands for. I am one of so many Muslim women who wear hijab out of choice. I know Iranian women here in America who wear chadors out of choice as well. It is not seen as a restraint. Just because the character of this book feels chained because of the veil, does not mean that the rest of the Muslim women do. We see it as freedom from a world where women are seen as sex icons, and as a way of demonstrating our religion and fear of God. That does not mean that we cannot have fun, as the author of this book claims. On the contrary, women (besides in Iran) who wear hijab are allowed as much freedom as those who don't. Of course, we can't drink alcohol, but then neither can men. There are things that Muslims are not allowed to do, but those restrictions do not include listening to music or talking to men.
What especially angered me about this book was that, while repeatedly trashing wearing a veil or being religious, the author makes a number of Islamic references. There is a moment where Tami says “Inshallah”. What Fitzgerald conveniently failed to do was tell readers what that expression means. It is an expression used by Muslims all over the world that means “God willing”. Tami says that a certain thing will happen if God wills it, which is not something a very non-religious person would say. This is a person who openly hates and refuses Islamic customs such as wearing a hijab or abstaining from drinking. She goes to Las Vegas because it is known as the land of sin. To her, freedom is drinking, wearing revealing clothes, using excessive amounts of makeup, getting boob jobs, and going to clubs and bars. These things do not sound like freedom to me- they sound like things that anyone with an ounce of moral standings would want to stay well away from. Islam, in making those actions unlawful, is not restraining anyone. If people would try to understand Islam instead of condemning it, they would be able to see that there are reasons behind the restrictions- in truth, we are protected from harmful lifestyles. We, in fact, are free.
I do not pretend that the Iranian government is not corrupt, because it is in many ways. However, the way they portray Islam is false. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, when the Muslims of Saudi Arabia were living in Medina, they had a covenant with the Jews who also lived there. The Muslims never forced Islam on the Jews. Also, when Muslims ruled Spain, Jews there had a great life of freedom. Just because Iran made a mistake in interpreting Islam, does not mean that that is what Islam stands for. I am one of so many Muslim women who wear hijab out of choice. I know Iranian women here in America who wear chadors out of choice as well. It is not seen as a restraint. Just because the character of this book feels chained because of the veil, does not mean that the rest of the Muslim women do. We see it as freedom from a world where women are seen as sex icons, and as a way of demonstrating our religion and fear of God. That does not mean that we cannot have fun, as the author of this book claims. On the contrary, women (besides in Iran) who wear hijab are allowed as much freedom as those who don't. Of course, we can't drink alcohol, but then neither can men. There are things that Muslims are not allowed to do, but those restrictions do not include listening to music or talking to men.
What especially angered me about this book was that, while repeatedly trashing wearing a veil or being religious, the author makes a number of Islamic references. There is a moment where Tami says “Inshallah”. What Fitzgerald conveniently failed to do was tell readers what that expression means. It is an expression used by Muslims all over the world that means “God willing”. Tami says that a certain thing will happen if God wills it, which is not something a very non-religious person would say. This is a person who openly hates and refuses Islamic customs such as wearing a hijab or abstaining from drinking. She goes to Las Vegas because it is known as the land of sin. To her, freedom is drinking, wearing revealing clothes, using excessive amounts of makeup, getting boob jobs, and going to clubs and bars. These things do not sound like freedom to me- they sound like things that anyone with an ounce of moral standings would want to stay well away from. Islam, in making those actions unlawful, is not restraining anyone. If people would try to understand Islam instead of condemning it, they would be able to see that there are reasons behind the restrictions- in truth, we are protected from harmful lifestyles. We, in fact, are free.
May 11, 2022
Review originally published November 2008
After finishing Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald, I followed the suggestion at the back of the book and went to the website to learn more about the author. I was intrigued by the author’s perception of life for Iranian women.
Veil of Roses starts in Tehran, but when Tami Soroush leaves the known confines of her parents’ home to visit her sister in Arizona, she takes on language, culture, and the task of finding an American husband within the three-month stay of her visa.
The book is funny and sad at the same time. It is with an outsider’s eye that the reader is shown what freedom is and how lucky we are to have it.
Fitzgerald takes you to the English as a second language (ESL) class with Tami and her first solo encounter at a coffee shop. When offered a free sample, she immediately reacts as she would back home in Iran. She attempts to pay, three times, and when the clerk still refuses the money, she leaves the money on the counter and flees to a table outside.
The appearance of the police at the coffee shop soon after sends her into a panic. Convinced they have come for her, she is baffled as they smile at her and leave. This was clearly not what she had known in Iran. The reader is able to contrast the two lifestyles as Tami remembers incidents from her childhood. Tami’s quest for a husband is played out in dinners and parties with hilarious results.
From the website, I learned Laura Fitzgerald is married to an Iranian American, and spends her time between Arizona and Wisconsin. She has met many Iranian women during their first few months in this country. Through this, she is able to present a believable story of an endearing, young Iranian woman on her quest.
Fitzgerald is currently working on a second novel, One True Theory of Love, due out in February which also features a strong, spirited woman searching for happiness.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
After finishing Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald, I followed the suggestion at the back of the book and went to the website to learn more about the author. I was intrigued by the author’s perception of life for Iranian women.
Veil of Roses starts in Tehran, but when Tami Soroush leaves the known confines of her parents’ home to visit her sister in Arizona, she takes on language, culture, and the task of finding an American husband within the three-month stay of her visa.
The book is funny and sad at the same time. It is with an outsider’s eye that the reader is shown what freedom is and how lucky we are to have it.
Fitzgerald takes you to the English as a second language (ESL) class with Tami and her first solo encounter at a coffee shop. When offered a free sample, she immediately reacts as she would back home in Iran. She attempts to pay, three times, and when the clerk still refuses the money, she leaves the money on the counter and flees to a table outside.
The appearance of the police at the coffee shop soon after sends her into a panic. Convinced they have come for her, she is baffled as they smile at her and leave. This was clearly not what she had known in Iran. The reader is able to contrast the two lifestyles as Tami remembers incidents from her childhood. Tami’s quest for a husband is played out in dinners and parties with hilarious results.
From the website, I learned Laura Fitzgerald is married to an Iranian American, and spends her time between Arizona and Wisconsin. She has met many Iranian women during their first few months in this country. Through this, she is able to present a believable story of an endearing, young Iranian woman on her quest.
Fitzgerald is currently working on a second novel, One True Theory of Love, due out in February which also features a strong, spirited woman searching for happiness.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
February 7, 2015
Such a let down. If you hope to get to know more about persian culture with this book, then you're totally wasting your time. I highly doubt the author even knows anything about Iranian women. Full of cheesy clichés, stereotypical and extremely unrealistic. I dived into it expecting to read about immigration and real persian women's lives and their traditions, their struggles, but it ended up being just a silly and pointless love story. The writing was also pretty bad. It could've been written by a 12 year old. I really want the time I spent on this stupid book back.
December 5, 2007
I liked the premise of the book. Iranian woman who has no rights or opportunities in Iran with the current political situation wants to live in America so she can be the type of woman her parents have always encouraged her to be.
It humanizes Iran (something the news rarely does) and exposes the misguided treatment of women within its country.
Unfortunately, those are the best things about this book. You'll have to excuse me, as its been several weeks and I've forgotten most of the characters' names, but the main character, Tami, contradicts herself throughout the entire book. She's only going to marry for love, but then she comes to America and says yes to a man who clearly has OCD and gives her the creeps. She's seeking independence, but can't stand up to her sister, or her crazy, vulgar friend from Russia.
These contradictions I could forgive, as women are known to be complicated beings, but the ending....unforgivable. Really. For me. Its voice lost any truth or realness that the author had delivered earlier on about a complicated, but probably common situation. I won't spoil it for other readers, but bad endings leave a sour taste in my mouth, and a decent book gets a bit ol' eye roll from me.
It humanizes Iran (something the news rarely does) and exposes the misguided treatment of women within its country.
Unfortunately, those are the best things about this book. You'll have to excuse me, as its been several weeks and I've forgotten most of the characters' names, but the main character, Tami, contradicts herself throughout the entire book. She's only going to marry for love, but then she comes to America and says yes to a man who clearly has OCD and gives her the creeps. She's seeking independence, but can't stand up to her sister, or her crazy, vulgar friend from Russia.
These contradictions I could forgive, as women are known to be complicated beings, but the ending....unforgivable. Really. For me. Its voice lost any truth or realness that the author had delivered earlier on about a complicated, but probably common situation. I won't spoil it for other readers, but bad endings leave a sour taste in my mouth, and a decent book gets a bit ol' eye roll from me.
May 18, 2014
Unbelievable. It seems the author based her depiction of Iran on stereotypes rather than actual experience- or research.
October 4, 2017
WHAT a great story!!!
I think that we forget (even with things on the news) what a great life and what great freedoms we have in America (and in Canada). This book reminded me over and over again.
Tamila (Tami) is from Iran. Her parent's (knowing from personal experience of living once in the US) work to get her a visa to go to America for 3 months. Once there, her goal is to find a husband, so she can stay in America for good.
Her sister and brother-in-law (who married and escaped Iran 15 years earlier) begin setting her up with eligible Persian men who are sympathetic to the situation.
Trouble is, Tami (while going to her English-enrichment class~which, btw, introduces us to many interesting characters who give strength to Tami at crucial times) meets and American man and has to choose~tradition, and all she knows, or hope, dreams (something most Iranian women don't ever dare to do)and love.
I so enjoyed this book, even though many parts are very sad (in a very thought-provoking way). It really made me think about what I have in this life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 Stars
Read~May 20, 2010
I find it very ironic that I first read this book almost to this date 2 years ago. And my impressions are pretty much the same as they were back then. We take SO MUCH for granted here. And that is Tami's biggest "gripe" with Americans. How much they take for granted and how much they assume. We really don't realize what these women in places like Iran and Afghanistan REALLY go through.
There was much more swearing (from one character really) than I had remembered. I think that the first time, I was so caught up in Tami's story, that I wasn't bothered by it. And I can't say that I was totally bothered by it this time. It was used more to make and prove a point. And the author (in my opinion) succeeds.
Great read!!
I think that we forget (even with things on the news) what a great life and what great freedoms we have in America (and in Canada). This book reminded me over and over again.
Tamila (Tami) is from Iran. Her parent's (knowing from personal experience of living once in the US) work to get her a visa to go to America for 3 months. Once there, her goal is to find a husband, so she can stay in America for good.
Her sister and brother-in-law (who married and escaped Iran 15 years earlier) begin setting her up with eligible Persian men who are sympathetic to the situation.
Trouble is, Tami (while going to her English-enrichment class~which, btw, introduces us to many interesting characters who give strength to Tami at crucial times) meets and American man and has to choose~tradition, and all she knows, or hope, dreams (something most Iranian women don't ever dare to do)and love.
I so enjoyed this book, even though many parts are very sad (in a very thought-provoking way). It really made me think about what I have in this life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 Stars
Read~May 20, 2010
I find it very ironic that I first read this book almost to this date 2 years ago. And my impressions are pretty much the same as they were back then. We take SO MUCH for granted here. And that is Tami's biggest "gripe" with Americans. How much they take for granted and how much they assume. We really don't realize what these women in places like Iran and Afghanistan REALLY go through.
There was much more swearing (from one character really) than I had remembered. I think that the first time, I was so caught up in Tami's story, that I wasn't bothered by it. And I can't say that I was totally bothered by it this time. It was used more to make and prove a point. And the author (in my opinion) succeeds.
Great read!!
November 7, 2020
Veil of Roses Review
Tamila is a young, Iranian woman who lives a life separated into two main periods of time:
First, the freedom.
Freedom
Tamila was a young baby in her first couple of years in the world, when her parents lived in America, or as it otherwise known as "Land of Opportunities". It seems as if she lives in a world of temporary flashback, back to her time in the USA, which she hardly remembers: Sometimes it's the present, and sometimes she sinks into those pleasant memories of her young self, accompanied by her family - mother, father and older sister - or should I say "FREE mother, father and her sister" - on their day on the beach. She enjoys the open ocean, and from this time on, the ocean becomes her symbol for independence, which she longs to when she is older.
May I say, that this period of life, although it was so short and somewhat meaningless in her whole life, it seems to be so important to her: she collects the memories and keeps a warm corner in her heart for them, since they mean so much to her. Somehow she was still connected to the identity she had in America, although she was just a baby. In America, everything has a meaning and goal in life.
the Mistake
On the other hand, the second period of Tamila's life began when her father made the biggest mistake of his life. He leaves the United States of America by mistake; he only meant to visit a family they had in Iran. But whatever happened - happened (there is an ancient Arabic saying "Ma Fat - Mat" which means "what's over - over", no looking back) and he and his family ended up staying in Iran. They moved away. I must say that this is a sudden, drastic change! Later, Tamila understands how wrong her father was coming back to Tehran, how stupid it was of him. Especially to Iran - land of irrespective and unrespectable Islam - and worse - they moved in in the middle of the big Muslim revolution by the Ayatollah Humyeini! A bad timing? You decide, but the thing is - you can't change what have already been done. You can't come back to America. You are stuck here in this illogical, freakish country and you have no way out. Well, that's right, this is exactly what I'd say to Tamila's father, although she seemed to like him a lot, not only a true respect to her great father, but a whole new Relationship I could not even imagine! Daughter -father Relationship is unacceptable in Islam, as I have learned. And this is outstanding! In a good way, though.
Leaving/ Returning
Twenty Seven years later, Tamila still lives in Iran. She is an unmarried teacher and like photographing. She quits her job, or was she fired? Her parents, who assumingly decided all the wrong decisions in her life, try to fix everything by surprising Tamila. They give her another chance: as a birthday present, they bought her a plane ticket to Turkey, and from there, to America. This is where Tamila is given the opportunity to rebuild her life side by side with her elder sister, Miriam, who lives there, married happily to Iranian-American man. Tamila understand how golden the situation is, and that maybe she will ever be able to leave to the USA again. And she, of course, accepts it and in 24 hours she manages to complete the flight to America, as she passes through three continents on her way there.
America
When she arrives in America, the first thing she does it to describe is Miriam, her sister.
Miriam is a symbol for everything Tami was never given in her life. Of course I refer to the one unique, blessed thing most of us see as a completely trivial thing, which is freedom. I suppose, when you live under terror for most of your live (twenty five years are a long period of time, excuse me), the idea of freedom and ability to do whatever you want (well, almost everything you want) without being watched or punished for. So, just so you will understand, it is not trivial. It is not given from birth. It is a privilege your got to earn in order to survive in our cruel world.
As the great feeling rushes through her veins, her nostrils and into her lungs, lasting to breathe every minute of freedom possible – there I understand how magical it is. How addicting it is: to be on your own, to be responsible for your own seeds, to be yourself without covering your body under a tent. (Ayyan Hirsi Ali's words, not mine).
English
I guess that each member of the English class Tamila goes to actually represent a different side of freedom, although some sides may not be as pleasant as it sounds. Also, each immigrant in the group represents a different side of American society. Let's start tagging them: Eva would be the fun, outgoing and 100% off- limits playboy bunny; Joseph and Agatha are, simply, love, a shy love at first that grows; Nadia is the outsider, poor woman who jose under other's wings. Nadia is the one who made a wrong decision, took the wrong turn and lost control over her life: and all of them together –lively America.
America. In this book, America is just another word for freedom. Tamila remember taking photos of little moments of freedom, some sort of tiny, daily struggle for independence. I like this point of view, it is very easy to understand and identify with.
Love
Of course, there is Aik. Not only has a waiter who has a big dream and a guaranteed, paved road to make it come true. At first, Tamila don't understand what she feels for him. A bit of nervous, or was it just luck? Anyhow, she loved him, really loved him. And this is how she finds freedom. She was free to love and be loved. It was amazing. It was perfect.
Until she had to get marry.
Oops… getting married? I Missed that
Get ready to bite your lips until blood comes out of them!
At this point, the reader should remember Tamila's parents. They had to make sure Tamila will stay in the USA, which requires a single word: husband. Marriage in the Islamic republic really meant abusing in the blessing of the family. So, once again, there is a catch she did not really remember until her sister reminds her possibly-future-groom is waiting… This is a problem she doesn't want to face, and when she does, it seems that everything just go wrong. Tamila doesn't want it to happen and now she is terrified. All the freedom-full air is sucked out of her lungs.
Then Again, How Can I be both free and married?!
Unintentionally, during the book, Tamila finds freedom easier and easier to define, because she understands she hadn't got everything she wished for. She couldn't be completely free, because her marriage is waiting. She has no time, yet she struggle to pretend there is. Tamila tries to escape the time limitations.
Supposedly, Tamila finds herself, metaphorically of course, in front of the camera. Her camera, the camera she used all these years to document little moments of daily struggle. Now she is not the one behind the camera, to take the picture. Now she is the one who's being filmed. She has to solve this mess, she got herself into. New discoveries are on the agenda.
The name of the book is "a veil of roses". Rose was always the symbol for female, for women. To be precise, the meaning is free women. This wish the weak gender has had during centuries and centuries of male rule. They hated it, yet this was the reality and women had to define themselves once again. Define them for who they really are. Not comparing to men, as they've always been defines. Apparently, this is a difficult task they could not easily complete. This is exactly how things are today, in Tehran, Iran (not A-y-ren, but I-r-an). So cruel and beyond understanding: Islam has taken over.
Women are afraid. And then, Tamila finds out of another world, another planet: America. Where nobody is studying her, looking for problems and won't let go. Nobody does it. And it makes her happy. Beautiful, poetic, melodic. Eva helps her understand her power as women, but in another light: unlike Muslims in Iran, power of women is good, it's blessed, and Eva is the prove for that. She is not only extremely rude and sex addict, she is also a influential person, person Tamila should learn from. Of course, only the good stuff. However, Tamila struggle to define herself as a woman wearing a veil of roses, not a veil of chauvinistic, unrespectable Islam. Finally, she understands how much she learnt from being in America, a whole new side of life she didn't know.
For once, her parents made the right decision.
comparing
I would like to compare this book to Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita In Tehran". Although I have never finished this book, paradoxically, I think there's a point to compare the feelings in both novels. If you'd look very closely you would find out that the feeling is very familiar. Tamila and Nafisi are extraordinary women who live in other sides of the world, but have the same say and legacy, which is perfectly feministic.
Both of the book describe brave women's struggle to get whatever they wants, whatever it is that they want. A quote from "Reading Lolita in Tehran":
"Like Lolita We tried to create for ourselves in little pockets of freedom. "
During those troubled and tempestuous days of Islam against freedom of expression, against liberalism and against the world and the West – A few hours after the attack took place in Sharm difficult by the Al Ida, who committed a murderous act against tourism in the Sinai Claiming the attack was against the tourists who bring the burglaries, sexual freedom, the permissiveness. Nafisi's book is a valuable document since it first-hand testimony about the company emerged from murderous cult that threatens the world today. call you on the academic and social life in Islamic society perceptions Tehran is a unique opportunity that can teach a lot about the customs, the culture and mind-locked to us.
Well, I guess this book is really great. I really appreciated it, and I think you would, too. Freedom-like and absolutely loosing... ENJOY
Tamila is a young, Iranian woman who lives a life separated into two main periods of time:
First, the freedom.
Freedom
Tamila was a young baby in her first couple of years in the world, when her parents lived in America, or as it otherwise known as "Land of Opportunities". It seems as if she lives in a world of temporary flashback, back to her time in the USA, which she hardly remembers: Sometimes it's the present, and sometimes she sinks into those pleasant memories of her young self, accompanied by her family - mother, father and older sister - or should I say "FREE mother, father and her sister" - on their day on the beach. She enjoys the open ocean, and from this time on, the ocean becomes her symbol for independence, which she longs to when she is older.
May I say, that this period of life, although it was so short and somewhat meaningless in her whole life, it seems to be so important to her: she collects the memories and keeps a warm corner in her heart for them, since they mean so much to her. Somehow she was still connected to the identity she had in America, although she was just a baby. In America, everything has a meaning and goal in life.
the Mistake
On the other hand, the second period of Tamila's life began when her father made the biggest mistake of his life. He leaves the United States of America by mistake; he only meant to visit a family they had in Iran. But whatever happened - happened (there is an ancient Arabic saying "Ma Fat - Mat" which means "what's over - over", no looking back) and he and his family ended up staying in Iran. They moved away. I must say that this is a sudden, drastic change! Later, Tamila understands how wrong her father was coming back to Tehran, how stupid it was of him. Especially to Iran - land of irrespective and unrespectable Islam - and worse - they moved in in the middle of the big Muslim revolution by the Ayatollah Humyeini! A bad timing? You decide, but the thing is - you can't change what have already been done. You can't come back to America. You are stuck here in this illogical, freakish country and you have no way out. Well, that's right, this is exactly what I'd say to Tamila's father, although she seemed to like him a lot, not only a true respect to her great father, but a whole new Relationship I could not even imagine! Daughter -father Relationship is unacceptable in Islam, as I have learned. And this is outstanding! In a good way, though.
Leaving/ Returning
Twenty Seven years later, Tamila still lives in Iran. She is an unmarried teacher and like photographing. She quits her job, or was she fired? Her parents, who assumingly decided all the wrong decisions in her life, try to fix everything by surprising Tamila. They give her another chance: as a birthday present, they bought her a plane ticket to Turkey, and from there, to America. This is where Tamila is given the opportunity to rebuild her life side by side with her elder sister, Miriam, who lives there, married happily to Iranian-American man. Tamila understand how golden the situation is, and that maybe she will ever be able to leave to the USA again. And she, of course, accepts it and in 24 hours she manages to complete the flight to America, as she passes through three continents on her way there.
America
When she arrives in America, the first thing she does it to describe is Miriam, her sister.
Miriam is a symbol for everything Tami was never given in her life. Of course I refer to the one unique, blessed thing most of us see as a completely trivial thing, which is freedom. I suppose, when you live under terror for most of your live (twenty five years are a long period of time, excuse me), the idea of freedom and ability to do whatever you want (well, almost everything you want) without being watched or punished for. So, just so you will understand, it is not trivial. It is not given from birth. It is a privilege your got to earn in order to survive in our cruel world.
As the great feeling rushes through her veins, her nostrils and into her lungs, lasting to breathe every minute of freedom possible – there I understand how magical it is. How addicting it is: to be on your own, to be responsible for your own seeds, to be yourself without covering your body under a tent. (Ayyan Hirsi Ali's words, not mine).
English
I guess that each member of the English class Tamila goes to actually represent a different side of freedom, although some sides may not be as pleasant as it sounds. Also, each immigrant in the group represents a different side of American society. Let's start tagging them: Eva would be the fun, outgoing and 100% off- limits playboy bunny; Joseph and Agatha are, simply, love, a shy love at first that grows; Nadia is the outsider, poor woman who jose under other's wings. Nadia is the one who made a wrong decision, took the wrong turn and lost control over her life: and all of them together –lively America.
America. In this book, America is just another word for freedom. Tamila remember taking photos of little moments of freedom, some sort of tiny, daily struggle for independence. I like this point of view, it is very easy to understand and identify with.
Love
Of course, there is Aik. Not only has a waiter who has a big dream and a guaranteed, paved road to make it come true. At first, Tamila don't understand what she feels for him. A bit of nervous, or was it just luck? Anyhow, she loved him, really loved him. And this is how she finds freedom. She was free to love and be loved. It was amazing. It was perfect.
Until she had to get marry.
Oops… getting married? I Missed that
Get ready to bite your lips until blood comes out of them!
At this point, the reader should remember Tamila's parents. They had to make sure Tamila will stay in the USA, which requires a single word: husband. Marriage in the Islamic republic really meant abusing in the blessing of the family. So, once again, there is a catch she did not really remember until her sister reminds her possibly-future-groom is waiting… This is a problem she doesn't want to face, and when she does, it seems that everything just go wrong. Tamila doesn't want it to happen and now she is terrified. All the freedom-full air is sucked out of her lungs.
Then Again, How Can I be both free and married?!
Unintentionally, during the book, Tamila finds freedom easier and easier to define, because she understands she hadn't got everything she wished for. She couldn't be completely free, because her marriage is waiting. She has no time, yet she struggle to pretend there is. Tamila tries to escape the time limitations.
Supposedly, Tamila finds herself, metaphorically of course, in front of the camera. Her camera, the camera she used all these years to document little moments of daily struggle. Now she is not the one behind the camera, to take the picture. Now she is the one who's being filmed. She has to solve this mess, she got herself into. New discoveries are on the agenda.
The name of the book is "a veil of roses". Rose was always the symbol for female, for women. To be precise, the meaning is free women. This wish the weak gender has had during centuries and centuries of male rule. They hated it, yet this was the reality and women had to define themselves once again. Define them for who they really are. Not comparing to men, as they've always been defines. Apparently, this is a difficult task they could not easily complete. This is exactly how things are today, in Tehran, Iran (not A-y-ren, but I-r-an). So cruel and beyond understanding: Islam has taken over.
Women are afraid. And then, Tamila finds out of another world, another planet: America. Where nobody is studying her, looking for problems and won't let go. Nobody does it. And it makes her happy. Beautiful, poetic, melodic. Eva helps her understand her power as women, but in another light: unlike Muslims in Iran, power of women is good, it's blessed, and Eva is the prove for that. She is not only extremely rude and sex addict, she is also a influential person, person Tamila should learn from. Of course, only the good stuff. However, Tamila struggle to define herself as a woman wearing a veil of roses, not a veil of chauvinistic, unrespectable Islam. Finally, she understands how much she learnt from being in America, a whole new side of life she didn't know.
For once, her parents made the right decision.
comparing
I would like to compare this book to Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita In Tehran". Although I have never finished this book, paradoxically, I think there's a point to compare the feelings in both novels. If you'd look very closely you would find out that the feeling is very familiar. Tamila and Nafisi are extraordinary women who live in other sides of the world, but have the same say and legacy, which is perfectly feministic.
Both of the book describe brave women's struggle to get whatever they wants, whatever it is that they want. A quote from "Reading Lolita in Tehran":
"Like Lolita We tried to create for ourselves in little pockets of freedom. "
During those troubled and tempestuous days of Islam against freedom of expression, against liberalism and against the world and the West – A few hours after the attack took place in Sharm difficult by the Al Ida, who committed a murderous act against tourism in the Sinai Claiming the attack was against the tourists who bring the burglaries, sexual freedom, the permissiveness. Nafisi's book is a valuable document since it first-hand testimony about the company emerged from murderous cult that threatens the world today. call you on the academic and social life in Islamic society perceptions Tehran is a unique opportunity that can teach a lot about the customs, the culture and mind-locked to us.
Well, I guess this book is really great. I really appreciated it, and I think you would, too. Freedom-like and absolutely loosing... ENJOY
January 28, 2013
Laura Fitzgerald’s debut novel, a poor attempt at rendering a bona fide account of the immigrant experience is neither introspective nor riveting.
The novel follows the life of Tamila Soroush, a young Iranian woman who leads an insubstantial existence until her twenty fifth birthday, when she receives a lucrative opportunity to escape to America for three months and "wake up her luck”. Tami flies to Tucson, Arizona to stay with her sister Maryam and her husband. But once in America, Tami must race against time to find a suitable Iranian husband and stay back in America forever as she believes that "being married to a stranger is a small price to stay in the land of Opportunity." As the novel progresses, Tami the inklings of first love when she meets an amicable American named Ike, and develops forbidden feelings for the “American” but is quick to brush them aside. She then goes through rejecting her many quirky Iranian suitors and disastrous setups before realizing her unrestrained love for Ike which then jeopardizes her mission of getting hitched to a traditional Iranian with citizenship.However, this novel is plagued with two fatal flaws: first, there are major inconsistencies in the characters and second, the author blatantly exaggerates several details giving the plot an ingenuine feel. Fitzgerald portrayed Iran as the reincarnation of hell or rather Big Brother-esque totalitarian regime, by overplaying restrictions and rules of Iranian society. Meanwhile America was described as heaven brimming with kindness and compassion. This distinction also trickled down to the characters as Iranian men and women in the novel were mostly very controlling, aggressive, or contentious, meanwhile all American characters were described as amiable, compassionate and tender. It was clear from the beginning that the majority of the plot was going to be spent on Iran bashing. The second problem was character inconsistency. Tami is described as a fearful and suppressed Iranian woman for all intended purposes. But when she lands in Arizona, she doesn’t hesitate to wear a “remotely immodest” dress followed by “cake loads” of makeup. She then openly flirts with any Iranian man and behaves nothing like a conservative suppressed woman. Then all of sudden, the reader sees a completely different side of Tami as she begins to cry when one of the suitors initiates a handshake or when she hides under a park bench upon seeing two police officers casually patrolling or her sudden panic attacks upon seeing random men. These bouts of irregular and unexplained behavior either leave the reader thinking that she is bi-polar (which in my case was true) or just weaken Tami’s character and prevent the reader from gaining a deep insight into who Tami really is. ~ Student: Fiza A.
The plot is quite shallow and superficial with no real story and matter behind it. Overall, the book is competent for a cursory glance over on a lazy afternoon but trying if you are trying to extract anything more from it, then you just picked the wrong book.
The novel follows the life of Tamila Soroush, a young Iranian woman who leads an insubstantial existence until her twenty fifth birthday, when she receives a lucrative opportunity to escape to America for three months and "wake up her luck”. Tami flies to Tucson, Arizona to stay with her sister Maryam and her husband. But once in America, Tami must race against time to find a suitable Iranian husband and stay back in America forever as she believes that "being married to a stranger is a small price to stay in the land of Opportunity." As the novel progresses, Tami the inklings of first love when she meets an amicable American named Ike, and develops forbidden feelings for the “American” but is quick to brush them aside. She then goes through rejecting her many quirky Iranian suitors and disastrous setups before realizing her unrestrained love for Ike which then jeopardizes her mission of getting hitched to a traditional Iranian with citizenship.However, this novel is plagued with two fatal flaws: first, there are major inconsistencies in the characters and second, the author blatantly exaggerates several details giving the plot an ingenuine feel. Fitzgerald portrayed Iran as the reincarnation of hell or rather Big Brother-esque totalitarian regime, by overplaying restrictions and rules of Iranian society. Meanwhile America was described as heaven brimming with kindness and compassion. This distinction also trickled down to the characters as Iranian men and women in the novel were mostly very controlling, aggressive, or contentious, meanwhile all American characters were described as amiable, compassionate and tender. It was clear from the beginning that the majority of the plot was going to be spent on Iran bashing. The second problem was character inconsistency. Tami is described as a fearful and suppressed Iranian woman for all intended purposes. But when she lands in Arizona, she doesn’t hesitate to wear a “remotely immodest” dress followed by “cake loads” of makeup. She then openly flirts with any Iranian man and behaves nothing like a conservative suppressed woman. Then all of sudden, the reader sees a completely different side of Tami as she begins to cry when one of the suitors initiates a handshake or when she hides under a park bench upon seeing two police officers casually patrolling or her sudden panic attacks upon seeing random men. These bouts of irregular and unexplained behavior either leave the reader thinking that she is bi-polar (which in my case was true) or just weaken Tami’s character and prevent the reader from gaining a deep insight into who Tami really is. ~ Student: Fiza A.
The plot is quite shallow and superficial with no real story and matter behind it. Overall, the book is competent for a cursory glance over on a lazy afternoon but trying if you are trying to extract anything more from it, then you just picked the wrong book.
May 3, 2007
I loved this book – it’s sweet, romantic and though-provoking. The central character, Tamila Saroush, is a 27 year old Persian woman who comes to America to better her life. I enjoyed seeing America through her eyes. She takes nothing for granted and sees every day occurrences -- a girl wearing a mini skirt, two teenagers holding hands -- as little acts of freedom that she captures through her photography. She loves America but in order to stay she must get married. Her sister, determined to keep her in the country, arranges for Tami to meet eligible Iranian-American men – one of whom turns out to be obsessive compulsive and a hypochondriac. I enjoyed seeing the friendships she develops with students from her ESL class and a “beautiful” Starbucks barista named Ike. An easy, hopeful, uncomplicated read which I highly recommend.
February 20, 2015
So I am a little partial to chick-lit to begin with, and very partial towards books that depict Persian life and culture, so this book was a very pleasing combination of the two and since it told an engaging story to boot, I give it high marks.
Tami is a frustrated, repressed 27-year-old wasting away in the Islamic Republic of Iran. On her birthday, her parents present her with a mixed blessing: a passport, a one-way plane ticket, and the advice to go to America and stay there if she can. The only problem, the only drawback is that the if she can is only possible through marriage. Of course, it has to be to a financially prosperous Persian...
But this little hiccup soon fades at least somewhat to the background when Tami hits American soil and feels the delights of life without the veil; the freedom to speak to a man in public; the glory of wearing lipstick and a sexy bra; the realization that American police are usually there to help. She makes friends in her English conversation group, and then unexpectedly falls in love--with an American boy who is completely antithetical to her family's expectations.
What will happen to Tami? Will she marry one of the oddball Persians her family has dug up? Will she be sent back to her repressed, depressed life in Iran? Will the bunion on Barbara Streisand's foot ever go away? Read and learn!
Tami is a frustrated, repressed 27-year-old wasting away in the Islamic Republic of Iran. On her birthday, her parents present her with a mixed blessing: a passport, a one-way plane ticket, and the advice to go to America and stay there if she can. The only problem, the only drawback is that the if she can is only possible through marriage. Of course, it has to be to a financially prosperous Persian...
But this little hiccup soon fades at least somewhat to the background when Tami hits American soil and feels the delights of life without the veil; the freedom to speak to a man in public; the glory of wearing lipstick and a sexy bra; the realization that American police are usually there to help. She makes friends in her English conversation group, and then unexpectedly falls in love--with an American boy who is completely antithetical to her family's expectations.
What will happen to Tami? Will she marry one of the oddball Persians her family has dug up? Will she be sent back to her repressed, depressed life in Iran? Will the bunion on Barbara Streisand's foot ever go away? Read and learn!
November 3, 2007
For those that know me, I am clearly interested in cross-cultural books regardless of culture. This was a very thought-provoking story about one Iranian woman's adventures in America for the first time. It is a thought-provoking book making one look at just how lucky we are to live in America and makes you really see how much the littlest things can mean to someone who has no freedom. Freedom is explored in so many possible ways that it reminds us what we take for granted and what it truly means to be free. I don't always enjoy a happy ending - it totally depends on the story, but the entire way through this book I hoped there would be one... It's up to you to find out whether the protagonist gets her happy ending or not.
August 5, 2018
The back cover description sounds like it would be a page turning read, however, it fell flat of my expectations. Not as if I was reading to get an accurate picture of Iranian culture & women's rights or lackthereof, but it seemed to be full of contradictions and cliches. Tami's character was tough to relate to and she was an emotional rollercoaster; it made it difficult to get a grip on her personality because she was up & down throughout the entire book. This felt like it was written by a young emotional girl and I had to keep up with the highs & lows (it was quite tedious). I dont think I'll be reading the sequel to this anytime soon.
December 31, 2008
i'm sick of these type of books, i mean really there is a lot of in between wearing a scarf (it doesn't really qualify as a veil) and running around getting drunk and being with guys. but alas the book was handed to me, was a turbo easy read, and i read it. i wouldn't recommend it, but if you have it on your shelf give it a whirl, it will amuse you for the few hours it takes you to read, and then will promptly be forgotten.
September 5, 2019
טאמילה היא אירנית בת 27 שהוריה מצליחים לסדר לה אישור יציאה מהרפובליקה האיסלמית של איראן. היא נוסעת לאחותה בארה"ב, ועליה להתחתן תוך 3 חודשים, אחרת יהיה עליה לחזור לאירן, כנראה לצמיתות.
ספר מאוד נחמד וקריא. בעיניי הוא היה קצת בנאלי ולא מספיק חודר ומרגש, והדמות של טאמילה הייתה די שטוחה, ולכן נתתי רק 3 כוכבים ולא ארבעה. אולי גם התרגום קצת אשם בזה. עדיין נהניתי לקרוא.
ספר מאוד נחמד וקריא. בעיניי הוא היה קצת בנאלי ולא מספיק חודר ומרגש, והדמות של טאמילה הייתה די שטוחה, ולכן נתתי רק 3 כוכבים ולא ארבעה. אולי גם התרגום קצת אשם בזה. עדיין נהניתי לקרוא.
March 10, 2012
I'm fascinated by the long history of Persia, and was hoping this book would give some insights to the current women from Iran. The idea of the book was good - a 27-year old Iranian woman comes to the US hoping to find a man to marry and then stay - but the result wasn't as good as I hoped.
What was good includes that hopefully it'll open the eyes of some of the readers for seeing that everything one tends to take granted around one's daily life shouldn't be taken for granted. Going out with your friends to have a coffee can be a bigger deal if you couldn't do that back at home, and so is wearing sexy sandals and so on.
But there were several small things that seemed wrong or a bit off.
First, it didn't feel like an Iranian voice. I think she'd have been surprised, amazed, and shocked by many other things than the obvious ones mentioned in the book. Tami seemed quite naïve to be 27, and seemed to be seeing the world thru pink glasses, definitely being in the honeymoon stage of her journey/life in the new country.
One of the girls in her English class was introduced being from Czechoslovakia. But Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist in 1993. Since the girl was a much later arrival from the area previously known as that country, she would have been either Czech (statistically 65 % more likely), or Slovakian. Would it have been too hard to look at Wikipedia or the map or the history books to get a bit more background info for the characters? Even if the girl would have left her country before 1993, she'd still know which one she was, unless she had got her US citizenship before Czechoslovakia was divided. In which case why would she still have been in the English class with some newcomers? At least the other characters, if stereotypical, had their countries right: the German girl was from Germany, and not e.g. East Germany (which some people still would actually use, if it helps place their small town in the map easier in relation where it was in the old map), and the pregnant, Russian mail order bride was from Russia, and not Soviet Union. Hey, I guess it was easier to notice that the Germanies joined, and the Soviet Union is for most part Russia now, than to have noticed that there is no Czechoslovakia any more?
One of the girls in Tami's class had no accent for the first half of the book, then the way her talks are written makes me scream. If she had to have an accent, wouldn't it have made sense to keep it for all the book, or to have it decrease towards the end, not to just emerge and worsen?
Hijab was also constantly spelled - typoed - hejab.
And the biggest thing that would not have happened if this had been on a real life scenario: Tami arrived with a 90-days tourist visa with a one-way ticket. Even if she would have been from a visa waiver country, she would not have been allowed to enter the US without a return ticket and proof of funds to sustain her 90-days stay. The chances of an Iranian woman having been allowed to enter the country with a tourist visa without a return ticket long after 2001 are practically zero.
All those small things would have been easy to correct without changing the book. She could have had the return ticket but not want to use it (it would have made her journey much more believable); the other girl could have been Czech or Slovak, hijab's spelling could have been checked in a dictionary...
I can be a silly romantic so I'm not going to say anything about the rest of the story ;)
I think the book can still be enjoyable, but it'd probably best be enjoyed by those from the US cultures, who have never been or lived anywhere else, and who can easier take the small things for granted.
What was good includes that hopefully it'll open the eyes of some of the readers for seeing that everything one tends to take granted around one's daily life shouldn't be taken for granted. Going out with your friends to have a coffee can be a bigger deal if you couldn't do that back at home, and so is wearing sexy sandals and so on.
But there were several small things that seemed wrong or a bit off.
First, it didn't feel like an Iranian voice. I think she'd have been surprised, amazed, and shocked by many other things than the obvious ones mentioned in the book. Tami seemed quite naïve to be 27, and seemed to be seeing the world thru pink glasses, definitely being in the honeymoon stage of her journey/life in the new country.
One of the girls in her English class was introduced being from Czechoslovakia. But Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist in 1993. Since the girl was a much later arrival from the area previously known as that country, she would have been either Czech (statistically 65 % more likely), or Slovakian. Would it have been too hard to look at Wikipedia or the map or the history books to get a bit more background info for the characters? Even if the girl would have left her country before 1993, she'd still know which one she was, unless she had got her US citizenship before Czechoslovakia was divided. In which case why would she still have been in the English class with some newcomers? At least the other characters, if stereotypical, had their countries right: the German girl was from Germany, and not e.g. East Germany (which some people still would actually use, if it helps place their small town in the map easier in relation where it was in the old map), and the pregnant, Russian mail order bride was from Russia, and not Soviet Union. Hey, I guess it was easier to notice that the Germanies joined, and the Soviet Union is for most part Russia now, than to have noticed that there is no Czechoslovakia any more?
One of the girls in Tami's class had no accent for the first half of the book, then the way her talks are written makes me scream. If she had to have an accent, wouldn't it have made sense to keep it for all the book, or to have it decrease towards the end, not to just emerge and worsen?
Hijab was also constantly spelled - typoed - hejab.
And the biggest thing that would not have happened if this had been on a real life scenario: Tami arrived with a 90-days tourist visa with a one-way ticket. Even if she would have been from a visa waiver country, she would not have been allowed to enter the US without a return ticket and proof of funds to sustain her 90-days stay. The chances of an Iranian woman having been allowed to enter the country with a tourist visa without a return ticket long after 2001 are practically zero.
All those small things would have been easy to correct without changing the book. She could have had the return ticket but not want to use it (it would have made her journey much more believable); the other girl could have been Czech or Slovak, hijab's spelling could have been checked in a dictionary...
I can be a silly romantic so I'm not going to say anything about the rest of the story ;)
I think the book can still be enjoyable, but it'd probably best be enjoyed by those from the US cultures, who have never been or lived anywhere else, and who can easier take the small things for granted.
July 10, 2010
At the age of nine, Tamila Soroush donned a white hejab and participated in a religious ceremony in which religous men informed her that from that day on she could not run about freely, could not laugh too loudly, or play with any male not her brother. This is what happens to little girls in Iran. From that day on, women in Iran live hidden behind a veil.
For full review:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
For full review:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
August 4, 2008
I've read many books about the immigrant/American experience, but what I liked so much about this book is the detail given to the main characters arrival in American. My favorite part of the book is when the pilot announces the plan is no longer in Iranian airspace and the woman all remove their veils; in every sense of the way. My only complaint, the ending wrapped up way to neatly.
March 27, 2007
great concept- i loved the idea of a woman from Iran coming to America and dealing with the concept of freedom. Unfortunately the author lost that concept and made it into a cheesy romance novel without any power.
November 27, 2022
Love books about different cultures! I am going to find the rest of her books.
June 23, 2019
4 1/2 Stars. I loved this story! Mostly it hit close to home for me. I was also a foreign, single woman once upon a time and it's so hard to understand the culture and still keep your own. Plus your whole family tells you to find a husband haha.
September 28, 2015
Beautiful cover! The lady is pretty, and I love the Arabic words going across. I love cross-cultural books, I'm glad I picked this one. This book was recommended by a cousin of mine, she actually told me about it a few years back - I've tried looking for this book in the beginning, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Afterwards, I had forgotten about it. Recently, I remembered and finally, I discovered it in Barnes & Nobles! I bought a bunch of books using my employee discount as a bookseller, here is the review.
Anyway, this was a neat story. I liked it, I was hooked after the first chapter. I thought Tamila was a sweet, innocent girl trying to find herself in this journey - the romance and love story with the Caucasian American was adorable. I was scoring for them hehe.. This book does have a sequel, as it ends on somewhat of an open note.
At times I felt the narrator Tamila's hatred for Iran's political status was too extreme. In this novel, they make it sound as if every woman in Iran is oppressed and no woman wears the hijab as their choice. I don't agree that every woman is oppressed, some women probably like being covered. The author of this book is married to a Persian man, so of course she couldn't understand the land of Iran perfectly, and I do feel it was biased. Tamila is not religious at all, yet she uses some Islamic words.
The stereotypes in this novel weren't necessary, but I actually liked this novel.
I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Anyway, this was a neat story. I liked it, I was hooked after the first chapter. I thought Tamila was a sweet, innocent girl trying to find herself in this journey - the romance and love story with the Caucasian American was adorable. I was scoring for them hehe.. This book does have a sequel, as it ends on somewhat of an open note.
At times I felt the narrator Tamila's hatred for Iran's political status was too extreme. In this novel, they make it sound as if every woman in Iran is oppressed and no woman wears the hijab as their choice. I don't agree that every woman is oppressed, some women probably like being covered. The author of this book is married to a Persian man, so of course she couldn't understand the land of Iran perfectly, and I do feel it was biased. Tamila is not religious at all, yet she uses some Islamic words.
The stereotypes in this novel weren't necessary, but I actually liked this novel.
I would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
April 5, 2013
An interesting glimpse into Iranian culture and what it means to be a woman in modern Iran. (Reminds me I need to pick up Reading Lolita in Tehran again.) Tamila is a 27-year-old, college-educated Iranian woman who travels to the US on a 3 month Visa to stay with her sister and brother-in-law. The main point of her visit, however, is to find an Iranian husband so she can stay in the US permanently.
There are many instances in which Tami is amazed by how truly "free" people (especially women) are in the states. At one point, she is at a Starbucks and is terrified when two policemen arrive. She thinks she is going to be arrested for taking a free sample of tea. It is episodes such as this that reminded me of how it's so easy to take simple freedoms for granted.
Tami is introduced to eligible bachelors -- none of which really appeal to her-- and finds a loyal circle of friends in her English language class. She also meets an American man, completely unsuitable for her, and of course falls head over heels for him.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and well-written "chick-lit"- type story. There is a sequel which I wouldn't mind reading later.
There are many instances in which Tami is amazed by how truly "free" people (especially women) are in the states. At one point, she is at a Starbucks and is terrified when two policemen arrive. She thinks she is going to be arrested for taking a free sample of tea. It is episodes such as this that reminded me of how it's so easy to take simple freedoms for granted.
Tami is introduced to eligible bachelors -- none of which really appeal to her-- and finds a loyal circle of friends in her English language class. She also meets an American man, completely unsuitable for her, and of course falls head over heels for him.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and well-written "chick-lit"- type story. There is a sequel which I wouldn't mind reading later.
March 27, 2017
I was surprised at how much I loved this book. So much so, that I immediately picked up the sequel and started reading it as soon as I finished this one! A 27 year old Iranian girl, Tami, a teacher, is sent by her parents to the U.S. to live with her sister (they all lived in the U.S. years ago, when the Shah was still in power, but then the parents and younger daughter returned to Iran for vacation and were unable to leave), after the Shah was overthrown in their country. The problem? She has to find a husband for an arranged marriage within the 120 days of the validity of her visa, if she wants to stay in the U.S. As it turns out, she has various prospects, including one found by a friend in her ESL class online! I won't give any spoilers as to what happens, but it keeps you guessing until the end! It was an easy, quick read and the consensus in the book club was that most of us really liked it a lot!
May 11, 2011
Sometimes, just sometimes, there very hard choises we have got to face. These are the choises that will change our lives forever.
In this story we see a young woman who comes from Iran to the United States of America. On top of the cukture shock that she's got, she has a mission in front of her: to find a husband in 3 months (until her Visa will expire). It is most recomended that the future husband will be persian too, because of tradition.
The hero of the story will face the two choises she has: to kive free and with no love or maybe to find love but under the Iatulla dictaturic regim. These are two seperated ways but one of them must be chosen - what will it be? can one even try to pick one of them up.
During the very flowing plot we are learning about the persian traditions and the american way of life.
In this story we see a young woman who comes from Iran to the United States of America. On top of the cukture shock that she's got, she has a mission in front of her: to find a husband in 3 months (until her Visa will expire). It is most recomended that the future husband will be persian too, because of tradition.
The hero of the story will face the two choises she has: to kive free and with no love or maybe to find love but under the Iatulla dictaturic regim. These are two seperated ways but one of them must be chosen - what will it be? can one even try to pick one of them up.
During the very flowing plot we are learning about the persian traditions and the american way of life.
March 26, 2013
Tamila “Tammy” is sent to America with the mission of finding an Iranian husband. Crashing with her sister and brother-in-law in Arizona, they offer their assistance. Shortly after her arrival though, she stumbles upon an American guy in a coffee shop. They began seeing each other often. Ike falls madly in love with her. Reluctantly she reveals to him that in her culture, it’s forbidden to intermarry. In order to remain in America and gain approval from her family, they must end the friendship. Ike completely ignores her request.
In Iran, Tammy wore a veil and was sheltered from the world. Now exposed to the American culture, she felt free. In a sense, her veil was lifted. Unveiled, she was able to compare and contrast these vastly different worlds.
I would recommend this novel to women who enjoy romance, suspense and also those who enjoy reading cross-cultural material.
In Iran, Tammy wore a veil and was sheltered from the world. Now exposed to the American culture, she felt free. In a sense, her veil was lifted. Unveiled, she was able to compare and contrast these vastly different worlds.
I would recommend this novel to women who enjoy romance, suspense and also those who enjoy reading cross-cultural material.
February 24, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about 27-year-old Tamila Soroush who comes to America from Iran to stay with her sister Maryam and Maryam's husband Aldishir in hopes of a better life here. With a three-month Visa in hand, she feels she must find herself a husband in order to stay in the U.S. I found it rather sad that Tami felt she had to "settle" for a man she did not really know and definitely did not love in order to be happy here in America. But would she really be happy? There were several sad moments but also humorous ones in the book, especially during interactions with the diverse group of friends she made in an English class she was taking. Overall, this was a fun, interesting and wonderful book that I actually had a hard time putting down and it is one that I highly recommend. I'm looking forward to reading "Dreaming in English" which is the sequel to this book.
July 26, 2018
Tami is from Iran, and has dreamed of freedoms all her life. She gets to come to the US on a travel Visa, but must get married in 90 days if she wants to remain. Can she find someone to marry? Will she find someone she can live with, or will she find true happiness?
I loved this book. It's unlike anything I've ever read. It opened my eyes to what things are like in Iran and helped me to be grateful for the freedoms we have. It started out a bit slow, but I was intrigued from the beginning. I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book. It's unlike anything I've ever read. It opened my eyes to what things are like in Iran and helped me to be grateful for the freedoms we have. It started out a bit slow, but I was intrigued from the beginning. I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 16, 2008
Tamila Soroush is an Iranian girl who comes to America to "wake up her luck." She must find a husband in 3 months before her visa expires and she has to go back to Iran. We follow Tami from her first Starbucks experience, to trying on bras in Victoria's Secret, to E.S.L classes held at the local college, to country line dancing.
This is a fun story about realizing how much we take for granted being born in the United States. I enjoyed reading the book and I was happy with the ending. I'm happy that Tami found love despite all the hardship she had to endure on the way.
This is a fun story about realizing how much we take for granted being born in the United States. I enjoyed reading the book and I was happy with the ending. I'm happy that Tami found love despite all the hardship she had to endure on the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2011
This book was a very quick and fun read, but had quite a few thought-provoking and culturally sensitive parts to it - which knocks it right off the purely chick-lit shelf. It's the story of a young Iranian woman, Tamila, who has the opportunity to leave Iran to come and live with her sister in Arizona, hopefully to find a husband and stay in the United States. Tamila's experience with this country is a bit lightweight, but very very enlightening in her constant constrast to what her life was in Iran.
October 28, 2018
ARIZONA
Laura Fitzgerald, if you are reading this review, please know that you did amazing job writing this book.
It made me laugh out loud, cry and most of all it gave me hope. From the very beginning, I was cheering Tami on, she deserved to be happy in some many ways. She sacrificed everything to come to the United States to feel free, to feel loved...she deserved a Julia Robert's move-like happy ending.
Laura Fitzgerald, if you are reading this review, please know that you did amazing job writing this book.
It made me laugh out loud, cry and most of all it gave me hope. From the very beginning, I was cheering Tami on, she deserved to be happy in some many ways. She sacrificed everything to come to the United States to feel free, to feel loved...she deserved a Julia Robert's move-like happy ending.
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