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Scattered Pearls
Three generations of Iranian women and their search for freedom. From Tehran to Melbourne, a powerful memoir of survival.
Scattered Pearls opens in pre-revolutionary Iran, where Sohila Zanjani grew up under the threat of violence, intimidation and control at the hands of her father. Resolving never to tread in the footsteps of her mother and her grandmother, both survivors of domestic abuse, Sohila tried to find a new life for herself on the other side of the world. But to her horror she discovered that living with her father had been gentle in comparison to the reality of her new married life.
Spanning more than a hundred years, Scattered Pearls tells the true stories of Sohila, her mother and her grandmother, and the injustice and abuse meted out by the men in their lives. It is a story of cultural misogyny in both Iran and Australia, and of an ongoing search for a loving, equal relationship.
Along the way the book provides a glimpse into the lives of ‘ordinary’ Iranians and the power of the Persian culture. It’s also a confronting insight into what can go on behind closed doors – even in an ‘advanced’ society.
But at its heart, Scattered Pearls is a story of resilience and personal growth, and of allowing the future to blossom in spite of the damage of the past. It is one of optimism, courage, and love and hope.
This is the story of three women, but it carries with it the stories of an entire culture.
Scattered Pearls opens in pre-revolutionary Iran, where Sohila Zanjani grew up under the threat of violence, intimidation and control at the hands of her father. Resolving never to tread in the footsteps of her mother and her grandmother, both survivors of domestic abuse, Sohila tried to find a new life for herself on the other side of the world. But to her horror she discovered that living with her father had been gentle in comparison to the reality of her new married life.
Spanning more than a hundred years, Scattered Pearls tells the true stories of Sohila, her mother and her grandmother, and the injustice and abuse meted out by the men in their lives. It is a story of cultural misogyny in both Iran and Australia, and of an ongoing search for a loving, equal relationship.
Along the way the book provides a glimpse into the lives of ‘ordinary’ Iranians and the power of the Persian culture. It’s also a confronting insight into what can go on behind closed doors – even in an ‘advanced’ society.
But at its heart, Scattered Pearls is a story of resilience and personal growth, and of allowing the future to blossom in spite of the damage of the past. It is one of optimism, courage, and love and hope.
This is the story of three women, but it carries with it the stories of an entire culture.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2016
14 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 4, 2018
Less a tale of three generations than One Woman's Struggle Against Adversity, with family reminiscences.
Us, the target audience of the West, will marvel at the lack of basic comfort which she grew up burdening without knowing there was a burden. No running water, more superstition than dependable healthcare to keep child mortality in check, the excesses of a paternalistic family culture & little guarantee of an education. It's 1960's Teheran, past the brink and at the center of modernisation, but still.
Story-wise, this would make a good TV movie. Sohila takes marriage to a PhD student enrolled in Australia as an opportunity to leave Iran in full Islamisation, but he turns out to be nothing but a gambling slacker with the same dictatorial attitude as her father, the foul-mouthed mechanic. She obtains a divorce social housing & eventually a law degree - while raising 4 kids with the help of a few co-emigrated relatives.
The Revolution only rears its head once: when her employer at Teherean Airport busses the whole staff to attend one of the infamous protests outside the U.S. embassy. That's right, it was 1% hardcore student activists with a shadowy guide and 99% corporate retreat. Or a field day.
In a similar vein, rascism in Australia is kept to a minimum thanks to her early realisation that a better mastery of English & (when affordable) elegant clothing can turn xenophobia into an acceptance of the exotic.
Us, the target audience of the West, will marvel at the lack of basic comfort which she grew up burdening without knowing there was a burden. No running water, more superstition than dependable healthcare to keep child mortality in check, the excesses of a paternalistic family culture & little guarantee of an education. It's 1960's Teheran, past the brink and at the center of modernisation, but still.
Story-wise, this would make a good TV movie. Sohila takes marriage to a PhD student enrolled in Australia as an opportunity to leave Iran in full Islamisation, but he turns out to be nothing but a gambling slacker with the same dictatorial attitude as her father, the foul-mouthed mechanic. She obtains a divorce social housing & eventually a law degree - while raising 4 kids with the help of a few co-emigrated relatives.
The Revolution only rears its head once: when her employer at Teherean Airport busses the whole staff to attend one of the infamous protests outside the U.S. embassy. That's right, it was 1% hardcore student activists with a shadowy guide and 99% corporate retreat. Or a field day.
In a similar vein, rascism in Australia is kept to a minimum thanks to her early realisation that a better mastery of English & (when affordable) elegant clothing can turn xenophobia into an acceptance of the exotic.
June 10, 2016
This was both a pleasant and unpleasant read. The parts about Sohila's and her family's life in Iran are most interesting, however the abuse from her husband and people in her suburb makes for uncomfortable reading. No one should have to live in an abusive relationship, nor you they be racially vilified. What I admire is Sohila's determination to rise above all this.
March 28, 2018
In the hands of a good writer this would have been a brilliant book. The story and the informatiom was really interesting, but the writing was very boring.
June 16, 2016
An inspirational autobiography that moves from the streets of Tehran to Melbourne suburbia. Though there are moments in this book that are overshadowed by the spectre of domestic violence and cultural superstitions, we are nonetheless reminded that "kindness remains" and this is what gives Zanjani the strength to get through life and the obstacles in her way.
June 25, 2016
Interesting and inspirational story but I didn't like Sohilia. She came across as vain and shallow in places. I was particularly shocked to read that she wouldn't kiss her future partner until he had his crooked teeth fixed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2016
I smiled, cried, laughed, loved, trusted and hated with old and new Sohila ...
October 24, 2016
Loved this book so much I didn't want it to end! The most recent book I have read and couldn't put it down! May have taken me a week to finish! There was the second to last chapter I had to skip to find out what happened at the end!! Th struggle of women today who came to Australia as refugees are definitely overlooked! Women are still being looked down on and it still amazes me even after we have come so far!! But the woman in this book was so brave! She came from nothing and became something bigger than anyone could have imagined! Had no idea what Sh would become! It was a different type of novel! And share the story with friends and family! It also reminded me of my best friend who started her law degree only this year (at 26) hoping it inspired her to keep pushing!
August 27, 2022
This book will always have a special place in my heart. I read this book after leaving a 3 and a half year abusive relationship with a Persian man. At the time I was suffering and trying to make sense of the last few years and I had actually brought this book while I was still with him but didn't pick it up to read until after I left him. It helped me make sense of a lot that I had gone through and helped me heal.
Sohila's story is so inspiring and I highly recommend this book for fellow Domestic Violence survivors.
Sohila's story is so inspiring and I highly recommend this book for fellow Domestic Violence survivors.
July 23, 2025
**3.5 Stars**
Whilst this was not the most amazingly written book I have ever read, it did contain a lot of interesting information. Sohila describes her background being raised in less than ideal circumstances in Iran, her determination to change her life, and how this led to probably one of her biggest mistakes, marrying an abusive husband. She reveals how she discovered the difference in law between Australia and Iran, and upon the realisation she would not lose her children, she finally had the courage to leave and start over.
It is a story of survival, courage, and hope.
Whilst this was not the most amazingly written book I have ever read, it did contain a lot of interesting information. Sohila describes her background being raised in less than ideal circumstances in Iran, her determination to change her life, and how this led to probably one of her biggest mistakes, marrying an abusive husband. She reveals how she discovered the difference in law between Australia and Iran, and upon the realisation she would not lose her children, she finally had the courage to leave and start over.
It is a story of survival, courage, and hope.
April 10, 2019
A well constructed memoir that informs us about life for Sohila, her mother and paternal grandmother in Iran and Australia.
Although parts of life are tragic, this book reminds us that things do get better, generation by generation. And that we are always able to make choices that can lift us up or drag us down.
Although parts of life are tragic, this book reminds us that things do get better, generation by generation. And that we are always able to make choices that can lift us up or drag us down.
November 10, 2019
An insight into the lives of Sohila and the women of her family. The struggles of coming to a new country and the power that is held over her by her husband. This is the story of growth and empowerment for Sohila. I felt for her and for others in her position.
December 5, 2020
Boring, couldn't get into it at all!
July 17, 2021
Took me a while to read this book. Such a different life bug an insight into a life I knew nothing about.
Read
November 7, 2021DNF
June 11, 2023
Describes the life journeys of three generations of Iranian women from Tehran to Melbourne and the cultural differences
March 6, 2017
I did want to like this book with its multi-generational story of Persian women but the writing was so stodgy that I just couldn't engage. The (co) author Sohila had lead an amazing and altogether admirable life of struggle, relocation and learning and for that she gets 5 stars. But the book doesn't.
January 9, 2017
Like her mother and grandmother before her, Iranian Sohohila Zajani is repressed by her husband and by a religion that ensures women will always be second-class citizens. After a long and painful struggle, in both Iran and then Melbourne, Sohila courageously manages to break the cycle, largely thanks to a sympathetic and tolerant Australian legal and social welfare system that helps her end her abusive marriage and, despite being encumbered by four small children, enables her to get ahead. After years of extreme repression, she studies for a law degree, runs her own business and achieves the success and happiness she so deserves. It’s a powerful and compelling story that at times is hard to bear, and even harder to understand from our privileged position in a country where women’s rights are generally taken for granted. Scattered Pearls is a heartwarming tale of a woman who rediscovers the grit and determination of her youth to turn her life around and be in a position to help other migrant women in need.
March 12, 2019
Book club choice. Could have been written better. Interesting
August 21, 2016
A beautiful book about the unerring grace of three women placed under pressure by marriage, motherhood and migration. Zanjani's gentle care for those around her – be it family or foreigner – shines through in her considerate writing style.
May 2, 2017
The intertwined story of three Iranian women, search for freedom, a memoir of survival. A glimpse into the life of ordinary citizens, the struggles of a family, abusive relationship, hardship, resilience.
When you believe, hope will not be far behind
When you believe, hope will not be far behind
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews