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Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran
Both a love story and a reporter’s first draft of history, Honeymoon in Tehran is a stirring, trenchant, and deeply personal chronicle of two years in the maelstrom of Iranian life.
In 2005, Azadeh Moaveni, longtime Middle East correspondent for Time magazine, returns to Iran to cover the rise of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As she documents the firebrand leader’s troublesome entry onto the world stage, Moaveni richly portrays a society too often caricatured as the heartland of militant Islam. Living and working in Tehran, she finds a nation that openly yearns for freedom and contact with the West, but whose economic grievances and nationalist spirit find a temporary outlet in Ahmadinejad’s strident pronouncements. Mingling with underground musicians, race car drivers, young radicals, and scholars, she explores the cultural identity crisis and class frustration that pits Iran’s next generation against the Islamic system.
And then the unexpected Azadeh falls in love with a young Iranian man and decides to get married and start a family in Tehran. Suddenly, she finds herself navigating an altogether different side of Iranian life. Preparing to be wed by a mullah, she sits in on a government marriage prep class where young couples are instructed to enjoy sex. She visits Tehran’s bridal bazaar and finds that the Iranian wedding has become an outrageously lavish–though often still gender-segregated–production. When she becomes pregnant, she must prepare to give birth in an Iranian hospital, at the same time observing her friends’ struggles with their young children, who must learn to say one thing at home and another at school.
Despite her busy schedule as a wife and mother, Azadeh continues to report for Time on Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West and Iranians’ dissatisfaction with Ahmadinejad’s heavy-handed rule. But as women are arrested on the street for “immodest dress” and the authorities unleash a campaign of intimidation against journalists, the country’s dark side reemerges. This fundamentalist turn, along with the chilling presence of “Mr. X,” the government agent assigned to mind her every step, forces Azadeh to make the hard decision that her family’s future lies outside Iran.
Powerful and poignant, fascinating and humorous Honeymoon in Tehran is the harrowing story of a young woman’s tenuous life in a country she thought she could change.
In 2005, Azadeh Moaveni, longtime Middle East correspondent for Time magazine, returns to Iran to cover the rise of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As she documents the firebrand leader’s troublesome entry onto the world stage, Moaveni richly portrays a society too often caricatured as the heartland of militant Islam. Living and working in Tehran, she finds a nation that openly yearns for freedom and contact with the West, but whose economic grievances and nationalist spirit find a temporary outlet in Ahmadinejad’s strident pronouncements. Mingling with underground musicians, race car drivers, young radicals, and scholars, she explores the cultural identity crisis and class frustration that pits Iran’s next generation against the Islamic system.
And then the unexpected Azadeh falls in love with a young Iranian man and decides to get married and start a family in Tehran. Suddenly, she finds herself navigating an altogether different side of Iranian life. Preparing to be wed by a mullah, she sits in on a government marriage prep class where young couples are instructed to enjoy sex. She visits Tehran’s bridal bazaar and finds that the Iranian wedding has become an outrageously lavish–though often still gender-segregated–production. When she becomes pregnant, she must prepare to give birth in an Iranian hospital, at the same time observing her friends’ struggles with their young children, who must learn to say one thing at home and another at school.
Despite her busy schedule as a wife and mother, Azadeh continues to report for Time on Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West and Iranians’ dissatisfaction with Ahmadinejad’s heavy-handed rule. But as women are arrested on the street for “immodest dress” and the authorities unleash a campaign of intimidation against journalists, the country’s dark side reemerges. This fundamentalist turn, along with the chilling presence of “Mr. X,” the government agent assigned to mind her every step, forces Azadeh to make the hard decision that her family’s future lies outside Iran.
Powerful and poignant, fascinating and humorous Honeymoon in Tehran is the harrowing story of a young woman’s tenuous life in a country she thought she could change.
338 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
68 people are currently reading
2899 people want to read
About the author
Azadeh Moaveni
9 books202 followersAzadeh Moaveni is the author of Lipstick Jihad and the co-author, with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, of Iran Awakening. She has covered the Middle East for almost two decades. She covered the Iraq War for the Los Angeles Times, and was a correspondent for Time based in Tehran, reporting on Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Iran. She is a contributor to The Guardian, The New York Times , The London Review of Books. She teachers journalism at New York University in London, and now works on gender and conflict for the International Crisis Group, based in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
January 23, 2009
Honeymoon in Tehran is the kind of book I would encourage most Americans to read, especially since it provides so much insight into a country that so many Americans view as a dangerous enemy. Moaveni is an American journalist born to Iranian immigrant parents but who still feels a distinct connection to the land of her heritage. She worked for many years as a foreign correspondent for Time magazine, investigating everything from Iranian pop culture to politics to human rights issues. Her latest memoir, after Lipstick Jihad, chronicles her move to Iran from Lebanon when she meets the man she will eventually marry. Moaveni, perhaps because of her American/Iranian heritage, is particularly effective at describing Iranian life from a perspective that resonates with American readers. She reflects the disconnect between the Iranian people, who often hold very modern views about everything from diplomacy to romance, and the Iranian government of religious dictators. Although her story is obviously unique, and filtered through her own perspective, Honeymoon in Tehran nevertheless offers us all an opportunity to better understand a country and a people who, for better or worse, will continue to factor greatly into the American political landscape for years to come. A fascinating book about a very important region.
July 17, 2022
The tale is highly entertaining, insightful, and painfully revelatory, especially concerning the corrosive effect of authoritarian strongmen on every aspect of social life.
December 9, 2025
This was such a fascinating look into life in an Islamic republic. The author has a very balanced view and gives living in Iran the benefit of the doubt over and over again. As a Time reporter, she does a great job of depicting the good aspects and the bad aspects of life there. I learned a TON, like that instruments and satellite TV were banned? Also the morality police is a wild concept but it’s real. Overall, very fascinating, honest, and detailed.
December 30, 2012
Overall, I think the book lacked coherence. I also found the subtitle to be misleading. There may have been love, but there was no danger to her throughout the book. Sure, she had some minor scares and major hassles but living in a country with limited freedom what did she expect? Since she had worked frequently in Iran and had temporarily lived there before, there should have been no surprises for her on the censorship and intrusion into the daily life of Iranians. As a journalist, she should have been fully aware of the difficulties in accessing the internet and watching satellite tv. And really, if those were the most challenging things she encountered while living there, then she was lucky. I can understand the frustration of living in a society where the rules change constantly without warning, but again with her background and experience what did she expect?
Besides finding her expectations unrealistic, I also found the author self-promoting. Her self-centered discussions on daily life, censorship and other restrictions, do not even touch the serious problem of intimidation and harassment that women activists and human rights advocates have to deal with. Part of the book also included her reflections on her personal relationship with Islam. To me it seemed that she confused spirituality with Islam. Like many people of all religions, she wanted to pick and choose which part of the religion she wanted to follow and apply to her life. That may work well in democracies, but in a Islamic Republic it is not that simple.
If someone wants to understand more about life in the Islamic Republic of Iran, there are better books. If you just want to read about the author’s life, then you might find the book enjoyable even though it does drag in several places.
Besides finding her expectations unrealistic, I also found the author self-promoting. Her self-centered discussions on daily life, censorship and other restrictions, do not even touch the serious problem of intimidation and harassment that women activists and human rights advocates have to deal with. Part of the book also included her reflections on her personal relationship with Islam. To me it seemed that she confused spirituality with Islam. Like many people of all religions, she wanted to pick and choose which part of the religion she wanted to follow and apply to her life. That may work well in democracies, but in a Islamic Republic it is not that simple.
If someone wants to understand more about life in the Islamic Republic of Iran, there are better books. If you just want to read about the author’s life, then you might find the book enjoyable even though it does drag in several places.
October 4, 2022
An intriguing book that left me with mixed feelings. Azadeh Moaveni is an Iranian-born US journalist working for Time Magazine in the Middle East. In 2005 she lives in Iran covering the elections and the unexpected rise to power of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Not a great deal happens in the book but she covers daily life in Iran, it's restrictions, politics and the difficulties of living under an oppressive Islamic regime. She herself seems somewhat conflicted in her views. At times she is nationalistic and seems to be trying to prove how forward thinking and open minded the people of Iran are, despite the corruption and restrictiveness of the government and the Mullahs. At other times she seems completely frustrated by Iran. She also has a conflicted relationship with Islam, trying to meld the more liberal form she had seen in America with what she now faced in Iran. She vascillates between seeking to excuse Islam for the state of things in Iran and also blame it. Although I see that real life in any country is unlikely to be black and white, and life is always complex, I found her confusing at times. However, her references to the ancient Persian culture, largely destroyed by the regime, I found captivating. Overall an interesting book that takes you somewhere.
February 3, 2009
This book is a truly excellent memoir. If you’re looking for a memoir that details the struggles and censorship that modern Iranians (particularly women) are facing, it delivers. It is chock full of complicated patriotism, scathing social observations and balanced political commentary. But if contemporary romance is your thing, it has that too. The novel spans two years as President Ahmadinejad rises to power, and the author meets the love of her life. I won’t spoil the ridiculous and creative ways in which she is oppressed and frankly harassed, but to say it isn’t easy to start a family in Tehran.
It’s obviously well-written, as Moaveni is an accomplished journalist and author. And for me, the best parts of Azadeh Moaveni’s Honeymoon in Tehran are when her journalistic approach to her tale slips, and we are treated to her voice as a woman and a mom delivering the story’s most powerful moments. Highly recommended!
It’s obviously well-written, as Moaveni is an accomplished journalist and author. And for me, the best parts of Azadeh Moaveni’s Honeymoon in Tehran are when her journalistic approach to her tale slips, and we are treated to her voice as a woman and a mom delivering the story’s most powerful moments. Highly recommended!
December 31, 2008
A first hand account of life among educated, middle-class in Tehran, Iran. I learned so much about Iranian points of view and many issues that I had misunderstood are made clear in this memoir. Set just as Ahmadinejad come into power and increases the repression of the Iranian Islamic regime. Politics, culture, family and profession collide with restrictions at every turn. This is a compelling and fascinating account of modern professional life in Tehran.
March 13, 2013
This book tells the story of Ahmadinejad's first election and how the first years of his administration affected the daily lives of people and, specifically, this reporter.
Azadeh Moaveni takes you through the naiveté of reform minded voters who justified their sitting out the 2005 election since no one represented positive change. Little did they know that at the last minute a hard liner could be entered in stealth and would change the country and take away what little freedoms they had.
She shows how the situation deteriorated. To this point, small freedoms had crept into the Islamic Republic. When Ahmadinejad opened soccer games to women it was hoped the trend would continue, but this was followed a widespread crackdown on woman's attire. Satellite dishes are first removed by somewhat polite police, later, they are just smashed on roofs with little warning. Moaveni's professional situation deteriorates as well. The intimidating government minder becomes downright lethal.
Amid all this, Moaveni falls in love and becomes pregnant. She can't get health information since sites found in Googling "Women" (as well other body parts) are blocked. Every aspect of childbirth is fraught with stress down to selection of the child's name. The marriage ceremony and celebration have concerns. In Iran, wedding planners have added responsibilities. They may have to pay the police to so your friends and relatives can be together (men and women) to celebrate. Add music or wine to your party, and you have more complications.
Don't let the title fool you. This is not chick-lit and it is not flip. It is a serious work on the difficulties of daily life in Iran
Azadeh Moaveni takes you through the naiveté of reform minded voters who justified their sitting out the 2005 election since no one represented positive change. Little did they know that at the last minute a hard liner could be entered in stealth and would change the country and take away what little freedoms they had.
She shows how the situation deteriorated. To this point, small freedoms had crept into the Islamic Republic. When Ahmadinejad opened soccer games to women it was hoped the trend would continue, but this was followed a widespread crackdown on woman's attire. Satellite dishes are first removed by somewhat polite police, later, they are just smashed on roofs with little warning. Moaveni's professional situation deteriorates as well. The intimidating government minder becomes downright lethal.
Amid all this, Moaveni falls in love and becomes pregnant. She can't get health information since sites found in Googling "Women" (as well other body parts) are blocked. Every aspect of childbirth is fraught with stress down to selection of the child's name. The marriage ceremony and celebration have concerns. In Iran, wedding planners have added responsibilities. They may have to pay the police to so your friends and relatives can be together (men and women) to celebrate. Add music or wine to your party, and you have more complications.
Don't let the title fool you. This is not chick-lit and it is not flip. It is a serious work on the difficulties of daily life in Iran
January 1, 2011
I labored through this book but I did not want to NOT finish it. It had enough substance to keep my interest going despite the confusing religious philosophies and foreign names. When I chose to read "Honeymoon in Tehran," I didn't know what to expect. I definitely was not expecting a "chicklit." I knew that it will be part-secular/part-political. However, as much as Ms. Moaveni was able to paint a vivid picture of everyday life in Iran from an upper-middle class, Western and highly educated perspective, her attempt to marry (no pun intended) the political issues (which pretty much is the major driving force in the daily lives of Iranian,) was too fragmented.
Definitely, this literature cannot be cited for eloquent writing. I am not sure if she was trying to achieve the effect of being poetic but her writing lacks the romance and passion of someone who declared to be very much in love with Islam and her native country. I was looking for the depth of longing and feelings that other ex-patriate authors profess in their works.
Regardless, this book is a good way to understand modern Iran through the eyes of a lay person whose profession is that also of a journalist.
Definitely, this literature cannot be cited for eloquent writing. I am not sure if she was trying to achieve the effect of being poetic but her writing lacks the romance and passion of someone who declared to be very much in love with Islam and her native country. I was looking for the depth of longing and feelings that other ex-patriate authors profess in their works.
Regardless, this book is a good way to understand modern Iran through the eyes of a lay person whose profession is that also of a journalist.
June 25, 2014
Personally I think that this book gives a very correct and complex account on present day Iran. I really liked how the author succeeded to maintain the balance between the positive and negative depiction of Iranian politics and society, which also made me realize how incredibly divided and antagonistic the everyday experience in Iran can be! While implementing the strictest clothing regulations to women, it allows (or better said doesn't take action against) alcohol consumption in underground bars.. and this friction is there in all areas of everyday life. The book is also a very emotional and touching personal story, about how difficult it is to admit that the religious and political agenda of your country is built on antiquated, discriminating and fundamentalist principles.. and the even more difficult decision to leave your loving environment behind because you don't want your child to be raised in such a hypocritical, restrictive regime... A very good first read on Iran!
January 16, 2009
Honeymoon in Tehran is Azadeh Moaveni's distinguished memoir of her time spent living in Iran as a journalist and newly married mother. As an Iranian native of California and journalist for Time magazine, Moaveni spends her notable career reporting on the societal aspects of Iran, from it's controversial elections to trends in Iran's youth activist culture. When she returns to the country to begin reporting on Iran's 2005 presidential elections, she has no idea that she will soon begin living in Iran, not to mention that she will meet and fall in love with her soon-to-be husband. But despite best laid plans, Moaveni is soon pregnant and must navigate among Iran's religious and political restrictions to first marry and have her child, then to continue reporting. With harrowing clarity she explains the sanctioned abuses that face unwed pregnant mothers, and experiences the difficulty of obtaining the proper permission to be married. While documenting this time in her life, the author extensively explains the political, social and religious climate that she is steeped in as a resident of Iran. In an eye-opening way, she describes the confusion of governmental agencies that share executive power over the country, and even for someone as well versed in Iran's culture as Moaveni, it still is sometimes unclear who holds ultimate authority.
In addition, she gives a first hand account of the social repression that is the standard for the country. From the strict laws on acceptable attire (especially for women, who are expected to don their head coverings in almost all public venues) to the segregation of the sexes, even at events such as private weddings, Moveni explores an array of customs that all must live by in their everyday life. Aside from these revelations, she examines the repressive and reactionary attitude of the government, documenting the way in which the country's leaders seek to control Iran's image in the media and the shocking downfall in the socioeconomic status of Iran after Ahmadinejad's unexpected election as president. With all that she faces, there is still more: she must routinely deal with her private handler, known only as Mr. X, as he systematically bullies, threatens and frightens her into complicity. In Iran, each news correspondent must have a government minder, ensuring that the reporter doesn't portray unsavory aspects of the country or its leaders to the outside world's news outlets. By using scare tactics and intimidation, Mr. X fast becomes a villain in this insidiously prescribed relationship. As Moaveni moves through these new stages of her life, she gives a candid account of the attitude of both the traditionally religious and secular Islamic people living in Iran, and she explains in great detail the way in which the Islamic religion has shaped and still very much influences the governmental aspects of the country. Although Moaveni must face many difficulties in her time in Iran, still she embodies a great love for the people, culture and wonderful contradictions of Iran, where today most people can't afford to buy a home but nose jobs are had easily and affordably. At the conclusion of her memoir, Moaveni must decide if Iran is truly the place in which she wants to live her life and raise her child, and though I won't spoil the book for you, it's obvious that her heart is torn in two opposing directions. Her ultimate decision is hard won and heartbreaking. This accurate and compelling look at life in modern Iran encompasses all that the country is, and all it hopes to one day be.
When I first began reading this book, I was a little non-plussed at the fact that this was not mainly a book about one's person's experiences with everyday life in Iran. I had supposed, going by the title, that it would be exclusively about the author's struggles in a strict and repressive society. When I finally realized the scope of the book, I began to be able to better form an opinion of it. Although it was not what I was expecting, this book caught me totally off-guard and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed and appreciated the story Moaveni told. I didn't have much information regarding the state of society in Iran but was quickly able to understand and grasp the various aspects of modern life in the country. I believe that this material, handled so well by the author, could have been very flavorless and dull had it been presented in other ways, by other authors. As I read and my understanding grew, I began to ask myself questions that I hoped to be able to research the answers to later. However, that wasn't necessary, because Moaveni did a wonderfully thorough job of answering all these questions for me; I needed only to be patient as she explained.
As time went on, I realized that this book was perfectly complete, posing and answering questions about Iran that have been shrouded in mystery for far too long. It was then that a curious change took place within me: I stopped doubting the story and became more intimately involved with the country's history and future. The fact that the story was not as personal as I had originally hoped for ceased to matter, and I left those feelings behind and became totally engrossed with the all-encompassing story the author had to tell. I still enjoyed Moaveni's story of her marriage and pregnancy, but taken with all the other aspects of the book, those sections were only one facet of a multi-layered portrait of Iran. While reading, I experienced several emotions, all at the heels of each other. I found myself angry at the government and its minions for attempting to totally repress an intelligent and growing society, I was astonished that so many Iranians seemed to humbly accept these impositions on their lives, and saddened by their apathy for instituting change. I was also a bit perplexed at the audacity of the governments reactions and punishments to totally ordinary and normal aspects of human behavior. I was joyful when I read on to discover that most secular Iranians had their own ways of obliquely dealing with their suppressive regime, giving themselves the freedoms that had been methodically denied to them by their leaders. And last, but certainly not least, I was appalled and scared for Moaveni in her dealings with Mr. X, a cruel and inventive man who did his best to terrify the journalist away from her work. I very greatly appreciated the exclusive instruction that this book provided for me, and I think that Moaveni did a fabulous job in relating a huge amount of history and the implications for Iran's future in such a compelling and interesting way.
I have not had the opportunity to read the author's first book, Lipstick Jihad, but I am looking forward to reading more from this author, who I consider an expert in this area of the world. I think that this book should be read by anyone with a curiosity for Iran. Whether this will be your first time reading about the country or you are seasoned in the area's complexities, this is a wonderful read that is not only timely, but enlightening. I applaud this author for her unflinching look at Iran and her ability to relate the country's flaws, beauties and conundrums. A great read.
In addition, she gives a first hand account of the social repression that is the standard for the country. From the strict laws on acceptable attire (especially for women, who are expected to don their head coverings in almost all public venues) to the segregation of the sexes, even at events such as private weddings, Moveni explores an array of customs that all must live by in their everyday life. Aside from these revelations, she examines the repressive and reactionary attitude of the government, documenting the way in which the country's leaders seek to control Iran's image in the media and the shocking downfall in the socioeconomic status of Iran after Ahmadinejad's unexpected election as president. With all that she faces, there is still more: she must routinely deal with her private handler, known only as Mr. X, as he systematically bullies, threatens and frightens her into complicity. In Iran, each news correspondent must have a government minder, ensuring that the reporter doesn't portray unsavory aspects of the country or its leaders to the outside world's news outlets. By using scare tactics and intimidation, Mr. X fast becomes a villain in this insidiously prescribed relationship. As Moaveni moves through these new stages of her life, she gives a candid account of the attitude of both the traditionally religious and secular Islamic people living in Iran, and she explains in great detail the way in which the Islamic religion has shaped and still very much influences the governmental aspects of the country. Although Moaveni must face many difficulties in her time in Iran, still she embodies a great love for the people, culture and wonderful contradictions of Iran, where today most people can't afford to buy a home but nose jobs are had easily and affordably. At the conclusion of her memoir, Moaveni must decide if Iran is truly the place in which she wants to live her life and raise her child, and though I won't spoil the book for you, it's obvious that her heart is torn in two opposing directions. Her ultimate decision is hard won and heartbreaking. This accurate and compelling look at life in modern Iran encompasses all that the country is, and all it hopes to one day be.
When I first began reading this book, I was a little non-plussed at the fact that this was not mainly a book about one's person's experiences with everyday life in Iran. I had supposed, going by the title, that it would be exclusively about the author's struggles in a strict and repressive society. When I finally realized the scope of the book, I began to be able to better form an opinion of it. Although it was not what I was expecting, this book caught me totally off-guard and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed and appreciated the story Moaveni told. I didn't have much information regarding the state of society in Iran but was quickly able to understand and grasp the various aspects of modern life in the country. I believe that this material, handled so well by the author, could have been very flavorless and dull had it been presented in other ways, by other authors. As I read and my understanding grew, I began to ask myself questions that I hoped to be able to research the answers to later. However, that wasn't necessary, because Moaveni did a wonderfully thorough job of answering all these questions for me; I needed only to be patient as she explained.
As time went on, I realized that this book was perfectly complete, posing and answering questions about Iran that have been shrouded in mystery for far too long. It was then that a curious change took place within me: I stopped doubting the story and became more intimately involved with the country's history and future. The fact that the story was not as personal as I had originally hoped for ceased to matter, and I left those feelings behind and became totally engrossed with the all-encompassing story the author had to tell. I still enjoyed Moaveni's story of her marriage and pregnancy, but taken with all the other aspects of the book, those sections were only one facet of a multi-layered portrait of Iran. While reading, I experienced several emotions, all at the heels of each other. I found myself angry at the government and its minions for attempting to totally repress an intelligent and growing society, I was astonished that so many Iranians seemed to humbly accept these impositions on their lives, and saddened by their apathy for instituting change. I was also a bit perplexed at the audacity of the governments reactions and punishments to totally ordinary and normal aspects of human behavior. I was joyful when I read on to discover that most secular Iranians had their own ways of obliquely dealing with their suppressive regime, giving themselves the freedoms that had been methodically denied to them by their leaders. And last, but certainly not least, I was appalled and scared for Moaveni in her dealings with Mr. X, a cruel and inventive man who did his best to terrify the journalist away from her work. I very greatly appreciated the exclusive instruction that this book provided for me, and I think that Moaveni did a fabulous job in relating a huge amount of history and the implications for Iran's future in such a compelling and interesting way.
I have not had the opportunity to read the author's first book, Lipstick Jihad, but I am looking forward to reading more from this author, who I consider an expert in this area of the world. I think that this book should be read by anyone with a curiosity for Iran. Whether this will be your first time reading about the country or you are seasoned in the area's complexities, this is a wonderful read that is not only timely, but enlightening. I applaud this author for her unflinching look at Iran and her ability to relate the country's flaws, beauties and conundrums. A great read.
January 8, 2025
A vivid memoir of an Iranian-American journalist's life in Tehran, and her difficult decision to ultimately leave the country due to the worsening conditions under President Ahmadinejad. Through Moaveni's writing, you feel her love for this beautiful, complex nation, and the painful heartbreak of watching how corrupt leaders made the country increasingly unlivable under the guise of religious zealotry.
"Would the average American reader care? I wasn't altogether sure, but of course that's where the challenge always lay - to beguile those who might not ordinarily care into understanding the nuances of a distant, vaguely suspect nation."
"A popular joke that captured the extent of the Rafsanjani wealth had the former president discussing how he had amassed his fortune: 'We had this bit of land in the family. A country called Iran happened to fall within its borders.'"
"As long as my generation remained concerned with achieving the upper class's material success, rather than somehow challenging the corruption that enabled it, I did not see how very much would change in Iran."
When trying to research her mother's metastatic breast cancer: "As I had discovered when pregnant, the censors blocked searches of almost every body part, cutting Iranians from a wealth of medical information. They denied each part of the body its vast array of rightful associations - medical, athletic, literary, sartorial, artistic - and reduced it to its crudest form, a sexual object."
On choosing a baby name: "The names the regime forbade included those of Zoroastrian gods and goddesses, commanders of ancient Persian armies, and other such tainted figures linked to the country's pre-Islamic past." (I was especially intrigued by Moaveni's incorporation of Zoroastrian and other traditions in her wedding, and how she continually acknowledged the existence of the country's pre-Islamic history.)
"Would the average American reader care? I wasn't altogether sure, but of course that's where the challenge always lay - to beguile those who might not ordinarily care into understanding the nuances of a distant, vaguely suspect nation."
"A popular joke that captured the extent of the Rafsanjani wealth had the former president discussing how he had amassed his fortune: 'We had this bit of land in the family. A country called Iran happened to fall within its borders.'"
"As long as my generation remained concerned with achieving the upper class's material success, rather than somehow challenging the corruption that enabled it, I did not see how very much would change in Iran."
When trying to research her mother's metastatic breast cancer: "As I had discovered when pregnant, the censors blocked searches of almost every body part, cutting Iranians from a wealth of medical information. They denied each part of the body its vast array of rightful associations - medical, athletic, literary, sartorial, artistic - and reduced it to its crudest form, a sexual object."
On choosing a baby name: "The names the regime forbade included those of Zoroastrian gods and goddesses, commanders of ancient Persian armies, and other such tainted figures linked to the country's pre-Islamic past." (I was especially intrigued by Moaveni's incorporation of Zoroastrian and other traditions in her wedding, and how she continually acknowledged the existence of the country's pre-Islamic history.)
July 5, 2016
As a young mother who married abroad within the last 10 years, this look at intercultural complexities to falling in love and starting a family in alternate situations was very compelling. I learned a lot about the recent and past history of Iran while being reminded of the complexities of expatriate life. I enjoyed the narrative from a cultural perspective and some of the writing was very engaging, though sometimes it fell back into "news-reporter" voice.
What I love about Moaveni's book is her commitment to understand the nuances and complexities of situations where it is easy to demonize and blame. Although it comes partially from her function as a news reporter and partially from her need to understand her own dual identity as an Iranian-American, her love for Iran, its people and its heritage (and yes, even of the poetic Islam of her grandmother) does not blind her to the flaws of the totalitarian regime and the failings of the government (corrupt and fundamentalist). Her ability to treat subjects fairly and provide the layered backgrounds that contribute to the headlines without glamorizing, blaming, or polarizing is admirable. Even if she does piggyback on the ironic popularity of Bushnell's female-centric narrative (I imagine there could be nothing further from the values portrayed in Ayatollah propoaganda than the world of "Sex and the City" writer whose "Lipstick Jungle" inspired the title of Moaveni's first book), she does not rely on the extreme sensationalizing that characterizes the chick lit writer's oeuvre.
I'm glad I made it to the end of the book, because where her prose fails is in all of the attempts at foreshadowing build-up surrounding her non-frontation with Mr. X. As both a tool of the regime and a person with whom Moaveni must regularly interact, he is the "villain" of this story, but I get the impression from the epilogue that it is because her strong feelings about his betrayal compromised her ability to be journalistically unbiased. Hence, much of this fell flat. I suspect she still felt too hurt to write about it clearly, and so kept falling back to her "objective voice."
Full disclosure: I did not read Lipstick Jihad, nor have I followed much of the news about Iran in recent years as closely as an informed citizen of the U.S. should. I probably will now.
What I love about Moaveni's book is her commitment to understand the nuances and complexities of situations where it is easy to demonize and blame. Although it comes partially from her function as a news reporter and partially from her need to understand her own dual identity as an Iranian-American, her love for Iran, its people and its heritage (and yes, even of the poetic Islam of her grandmother) does not blind her to the flaws of the totalitarian regime and the failings of the government (corrupt and fundamentalist). Her ability to treat subjects fairly and provide the layered backgrounds that contribute to the headlines without glamorizing, blaming, or polarizing is admirable. Even if she does piggyback on the ironic popularity of Bushnell's female-centric narrative (I imagine there could be nothing further from the values portrayed in Ayatollah propoaganda than the world of "Sex and the City" writer whose "Lipstick Jungle" inspired the title of Moaveni's first book), she does not rely on the extreme sensationalizing that characterizes the chick lit writer's oeuvre.
I'm glad I made it to the end of the book, because where her prose fails is in all of the attempts at foreshadowing build-up surrounding her non-frontation with Mr. X. As both a tool of the regime and a person with whom Moaveni must regularly interact, he is the "villain" of this story, but I get the impression from the epilogue that it is because her strong feelings about his betrayal compromised her ability to be journalistically unbiased. Hence, much of this fell flat. I suspect she still felt too hurt to write about it clearly, and so kept falling back to her "objective voice."
Full disclosure: I did not read Lipstick Jihad, nor have I followed much of the news about Iran in recent years as closely as an informed citizen of the U.S. should. I probably will now.
December 1, 2009
I really liked this book. I previously had no understanding of Iran and Iranian life outside of western media (which Ms. Moaveni is a part of, of course). Her take and understanding of the culture mingled with her own life struggles and changes gives a refreshing perspective on this country I otherwise knew little about. She has a sort of wry sense of humor about most things and despite what is probably a dangerous profession, she is constantly brave and questioning.
I kind of wish I had read Lipstick Jihad A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America And American in Iran first since many of the same people in her life reappear in this book and it might have been easier to have the references for them. Especially Mr. X.
SPOILER
My only gripe, is that it seems as if Ms. Moaveni continued to smoke and drink copious amounts of caffeine through her pregnancy. It isn't spoke of outwardly, but there are references to cigarette ashes and Turkish coffee drinking throughout.
END SPOILER
I would definitely read another of Ms. Moaveni's books. I like her take on things, and really enjoyed learning a side of Iran less represented in western media.
I kind of wish I had read Lipstick Jihad A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America And American in Iran first since many of the same people in her life reappear in this book and it might have been easier to have the references for them. Especially Mr. X.
SPOILER
My only gripe, is that it seems as if Ms. Moaveni continued to smoke and drink copious amounts of caffeine through her pregnancy. It isn't spoke of outwardly, but there are references to cigarette ashes and Turkish coffee drinking throughout.
END SPOILER
I would definitely read another of Ms. Moaveni's books. I like her take on things, and really enjoyed learning a side of Iran less represented in western media.
January 15, 2013
Azadeh Moaveni, daughter of Iranian immigrants who raised her in Northern California, sheds an enticing perspective upon the years she determinedly spent as a young adult in the nation her own parents had abandoned decades earlier. Moaveni does not sugar coat the oppression and frustration imposed upon Iran's people--such factors eventually motivated her to leave the country along with her Iranian born husband and infant son. She does, however, reveal the moderate and sensible nature of many citizens of this nation in the heart of "the axis of evil."
Moaveni's firm grasp on politics and history is accompanied by her engaging narrative style and ability to interweave amusing anecdotes and personal sentiments throughout her testament of life under the thumb of a theocratic Islamic republic. The effect is a thought-provoking and informative memoir that reads as smoothly as any fictitious novel.
Moaveni's firm grasp on politics and history is accompanied by her engaging narrative style and ability to interweave amusing anecdotes and personal sentiments throughout her testament of life under the thumb of a theocratic Islamic republic. The effect is a thought-provoking and informative memoir that reads as smoothly as any fictitious novel.
February 7, 2009
This was a fantastic, fascinating book.
It got off to a bit of a slow start... I was a little overwhelmed by all of the information about Iran that the author included in her story, but all of this information was relevant. It quickly picked up and
Moaveni is a journalist by trade, which makes her a wonderful storyteller. I feel like I know so much more about Iran, a country that is growing increasingly important in world affairs.
This was a great mix of the inside workings of the government through the eyes of a western journalist in Iran and the stories of a very important time in the author's life.
She ends up falling in love, and decided to stay in Iran, much to her parents dismay (they fled Iran in the 70s). I won't go much more into details to avoid spoilers, but this was a fascinating read and I highly, highly recommend it!
It got off to a bit of a slow start... I was a little overwhelmed by all of the information about Iran that the author included in her story, but all of this information was relevant. It quickly picked up and
Moaveni is a journalist by trade, which makes her a wonderful storyteller. I feel like I know so much more about Iran, a country that is growing increasingly important in world affairs.
This was a great mix of the inside workings of the government through the eyes of a western journalist in Iran and the stories of a very important time in the author's life.
She ends up falling in love, and decided to stay in Iran, much to her parents dismay (they fled Iran in the 70s). I won't go much more into details to avoid spoilers, but this was a fascinating read and I highly, highly recommend it!
December 30, 2014
I finished listening to the audio version of Azadeh Moaveni's incredible memoir, Honeymoon in Tehran. This is one of the most incredible stories I have read/listened to in a long time. It is also an incredible memoir.
Two reasons I really enjoyed it:
#1 It was a fascinating glimpse of Persian/Iranian society and all its beauties and flaws. The depth and layers of society were incredible and really made me - as an American - envious of a society with such traditions and history.
#2 It demonstrated that how societies of people are - in the end - the same, especially in terms of politics. Conservatives and liberals - no matter where they are - basically act and react the same. After this book, it helped me to understand my society better.
I highly recommend this book, and am going to find her earlier book, Lipstick Jihad, after this.
Two reasons I really enjoyed it:
#1 It was a fascinating glimpse of Persian/Iranian society and all its beauties and flaws. The depth and layers of society were incredible and really made me - as an American - envious of a society with such traditions and history.
#2 It demonstrated that how societies of people are - in the end - the same, especially in terms of politics. Conservatives and liberals - no matter where they are - basically act and react the same. After this book, it helped me to understand my society better.
I highly recommend this book, and am going to find her earlier book, Lipstick Jihad, after this.
September 2, 2013
Moavani is a wonderful writer. I'm especially interested in Iran as a subject, since my father emigrated from there in the 1960s. But even for someone with no ties to Iran, this is a fascinating read. It covers the two years she lived in Iran in the mid-2000s, meeting her future husband and having a baby. This was the time that Ahmejinidad became president, and she writes of the ensuing effects and crackdowns on the culture. Iran is such an interesting country, so unlike any other in the Middle East, although it is often incorrectly lumped in with negative associations of the others. I recommend this to anyone who wants a page-turning memoir and wants to learn a bit about an important place at the same time.
February 28, 2009
Despite her relative youth, Moaveni writes with insight and understanding about Iran over the past few years. The book begins when Amadinejad is elected and follows the changes that happen in Iran over the following years. It is also an account of a young woman who was raised in the west dealing with getting married in Iran. Despite what one would think, the book is not a wholehearted condemnation of modern Iran, nor is she an apologist. What it does is capture, affectionately, the sentiments of a country who, much like ourselves in recent years, are not represented by their elected leader. A must read for anyone who likes to get both sides of the story.
Read
December 24, 2010Two years life of an Iranian journalist who fell in love when she was visiting Iran. Got married and tried to build her life with her husband and son in her beloved country while continuing her job. But the structure of her life and the presuures imposed from a theocracy was not bearable and healthy type of living for her and her family. She had to leave Iran behind knowing that she might not find a place to live that provides her with perfect happiness or a place that she feels most welcome or comfortable or loved like in Iran but a place that she could freely breathe and have a balanced life, emotionally, mentally and physically.
February 24, 2009
Fascinating portrait of life in Iran, just before the election of Ahmadinejad and during his Presidency. Although much of the criticism of Iran is present, from the role / dress of women in the public sphere to the government's crackdown on activists and journalists, there is nuance. Partial displays of openness with satellite TV, a lax enforcement of dress requirement at times and outdoor musical symphonies. Sometimes funny, sometimes menacing, it is life within the borders of a newly emboldened, nuclear-ambitious nation.
November 15, 2015
I learned alot reading this book, which covers the period 2005-2007, starting just before the election that brought in Ahmadinejad. Because the author is a journalist, her writing is complimented by opinions and interviews of many Iranians. It provides a good explanation of the backdrop to those elections, and how Ahmadinejad rose to power from such obscurity. She also describes well the subsequent descent into economic collapse and security clampdown.
I look forward to reading other books by Moaveni.
I look forward to reading other books by Moaveni.
March 11, 2009
Azadeh Moaveni follows her first memoir with this book about her last two years in Iran. Significantly less hopeful than Lipstick Jihad, Moaveni chronicles a return of more repressive regime. She continues to work as a journalist despite inherent risks. An interesting theme in this book is her relationship with her government handler, Mr. X, who vets each of her stories prior to publication. Well worth reading as is her first effort.
May 21, 2013
Best book I've ever read!!!!
May 1, 2017
A fascinating insight into life in Iran and one that might surprise many in the West who get a very one-sided simplistic portrayal of a country that suits a certain narrative (partly due to Iran's own heavy censorship). The fact that the author is a journalist means the book feels well researched and written. It dispels certain conceptions one might have about Iran whilst reinforcing others. I found particularly interesting the authors epilogue re life in London and her observations that the U.K. pandered too much to antediluvian Islam but also how as a mother she felt more isolated in London and missed that sense of community she felt in Iran (an observation that might extend to many Western countries). Ultimately I felt sad for Iran in conclusion but nevertheless happy to read a more nuanced view of life in Iran than you often read in the Western media.
February 24, 2018
I think Moaveni captures a snapshot of two very important subjects in this book : the complicated tangle of naivete, longing, frustration, and criticism that the first generation children of immigrants feel toward a country their parents have fled, and second, the complicated ways people both acquiesce to totalitarian regimes while at the same time carving out small freedoms.
This book describes in a kind of conversation manner two years she spent living in Tehran where in she met her now-husband, and near the end, had a son.
But most of the book is actually a chronicle of the rise of Iran's President Ahmadinejad and the effects on middle and upper class Iranians' daily lives. Moaveni portrays herself is a tad naive as she goes about interviewing resisters in the beginning of the book, despite have to report her activities to a mysterious government man named Mr. X, she almost seems to feel that her Western upbringing makes her impervious. Part of me wondered at points if this was building to some kind of tragedy.
But the tragedy is not a singular event in this book, it is the undoing of thousands of years of Persian culture, music, and history because of a conservative few. But it is also the tragedy of how regular old people just trying to make a living, bend and change according to the arbitrary enforcement of conservative strictures such as, having a TV antenna, the color of your headscarf, whether music is allowed at a wedding, etc. And its the tragedy of a country that chases away it's brightest and most educated populace.
An important book for people in the U.S. to read to understand a bit about Iranian politics (like why sometimes peoples' small freedoms increase under a more conservative regime) and the reality of living under totalitarianist regime.
This book describes in a kind of conversation manner two years she spent living in Tehran where in she met her now-husband, and near the end, had a son.
But most of the book is actually a chronicle of the rise of Iran's President Ahmadinejad and the effects on middle and upper class Iranians' daily lives. Moaveni portrays herself is a tad naive as she goes about interviewing resisters in the beginning of the book, despite have to report her activities to a mysterious government man named Mr. X, she almost seems to feel that her Western upbringing makes her impervious. Part of me wondered at points if this was building to some kind of tragedy.
But the tragedy is not a singular event in this book, it is the undoing of thousands of years of Persian culture, music, and history because of a conservative few. But it is also the tragedy of how regular old people just trying to make a living, bend and change according to the arbitrary enforcement of conservative strictures such as, having a TV antenna, the color of your headscarf, whether music is allowed at a wedding, etc. And its the tragedy of a country that chases away it's brightest and most educated populace.
An important book for people in the U.S. to read to understand a bit about Iranian politics (like why sometimes peoples' small freedoms increase under a more conservative regime) and the reality of living under totalitarianist regime.
October 20, 2010
I was so focused on having a small carry-on purse for my recent trip to Athens and Turkey (because I had a 6 hour layover in Montreal and wanted to leave the airport and go eat at Le Commensal) that I forgot to pack anything to entertain myself on the flight! I ended up spending over $40 on books at the Montreal airport. This is why I use the library, people.
The selection of books in the airport is sad. Lots of pulpy mysteries and sundry crap. I saw the title of this one and was kind of like, "Eh. Chick lit." I like chick lit, but it goes too fast to be worth buying. But then I saw the author and realized it was a follow up to Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America And American in Iran, which I had really enjoyed for its on-the-ground view of the Iranian people. While I like the titles of Moaveni's books and think they cleverly convey the subject matter, I also think that she is alienating large numbers of people who would be a good audience with her chick lit titles.
This was another great account of how Iranians feel about and deal with their government. The book jacket makes much of the fact that the book deals with Ahmadinejad's ascendancy, but his election doesn't occur until halfway through the book and Moaveni had left the country by the time of the post-election riots of 2009. His presidency definitely is covered, but to be clear this is not a book that will give you a comprehensive picture of Iranian politics.
What the book does provide is a portrait of how Iranians feel about their country and its leadership. (I can't really say "average Iranians" because her subjects are almost always well-off, though she stresses that the sentiments run throughout all economic levels.) The random arrests, beatings, crackdowns, and TV satellite destructions are terrifying, as is the cat-and-mouse game played with Moaveni as a journalist for a Western publication. I felt in suspense much of the time (in a good way). Moaveni does meet her husband, marry, and a have a child in the course of the narrative, but it wasn't really about her--more how the state interacts and interferes with such normal human acts. She had to have her father's permission to marry. She had to give her son a state-approved name. While giving birth her husband had to be smuggled in and she had to wear a ludicrously enormous "modesty covering" hospital gown that didn't open in the front to allow nursing. That sort of thing.
One of the most enlightening quotes for me was, regarding nuclear enrichment (paraphrasing): "People don't know the difference between nuclear energy and a pizza. You ask them if they want nuclear energy, they say yes." Whether Ahmadinejad truly wants nuclear energy or is spinning a desire for nuclear weapons as a bid for energy independence I don't know, but he is clever in rallying his people to believe the former.
The selection of books in the airport is sad. Lots of pulpy mysteries and sundry crap. I saw the title of this one and was kind of like, "Eh. Chick lit." I like chick lit, but it goes too fast to be worth buying. But then I saw the author and realized it was a follow up to Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America And American in Iran, which I had really enjoyed for its on-the-ground view of the Iranian people. While I like the titles of Moaveni's books and think they cleverly convey the subject matter, I also think that she is alienating large numbers of people who would be a good audience with her chick lit titles.
This was another great account of how Iranians feel about and deal with their government. The book jacket makes much of the fact that the book deals with Ahmadinejad's ascendancy, but his election doesn't occur until halfway through the book and Moaveni had left the country by the time of the post-election riots of 2009. His presidency definitely is covered, but to be clear this is not a book that will give you a comprehensive picture of Iranian politics.
What the book does provide is a portrait of how Iranians feel about their country and its leadership. (I can't really say "average Iranians" because her subjects are almost always well-off, though she stresses that the sentiments run throughout all economic levels.) The random arrests, beatings, crackdowns, and TV satellite destructions are terrifying, as is the cat-and-mouse game played with Moaveni as a journalist for a Western publication. I felt in suspense much of the time (in a good way). Moaveni does meet her husband, marry, and a have a child in the course of the narrative, but it wasn't really about her--more how the state interacts and interferes with such normal human acts. She had to have her father's permission to marry. She had to give her son a state-approved name. While giving birth her husband had to be smuggled in and she had to wear a ludicrously enormous "modesty covering" hospital gown that didn't open in the front to allow nursing. That sort of thing.
One of the most enlightening quotes for me was, regarding nuclear enrichment (paraphrasing): "People don't know the difference between nuclear energy and a pizza. You ask them if they want nuclear energy, they say yes." Whether Ahmadinejad truly wants nuclear energy or is spinning a desire for nuclear weapons as a bid for energy independence I don't know, but he is clever in rallying his people to believe the former.
June 27, 2016
I finished “Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran” by Azade Moavaeni this past week. She is a second-generation Iranian-American journalist who felt strong roots in her parents’ country, went there and tried to establish a life. She faced so many challenges that made her think twice about her priorities. I really enjoyed reading this book. I relate to almost everything she explains about living in Iran as an educated middle class woman. I am 4 years older than her and was born in Iran. I migrated to the U.S when I was 31. My generation went through the revolution that ended up with a dictatorship governing the country and then 8 years of absolutely unnecessary war with Iraq. All we learned from theocracy over the years through school and society was to feel guilty if we were happy. We never believed that and always sought happiness and beauty in life in different ways.
Azadeh has explained the challenges people (especially women) face under dictatorship very clearly with no exaggeration. The way she felt it and explained it is very real. I am impressed she managed her expectations realistically as a born and raised American girl.
Since I am writing my memoir, reading Azadeh's memoir helped me to be braver to explain the negative feelings I had when I lived back in Iran, the feelings that I repressed because of the autocracy’s influence at the deepest part of one’s personal life. It’s easier now to explain when I acted selfishly to survive since I was part of that system and didn’t know better.
I can see now I have come a long way and learned how to defend my rights and respect others in a democratic system.
Azadeh has explained the challenges people (especially women) face under dictatorship very clearly with no exaggeration. The way she felt it and explained it is very real. I am impressed she managed her expectations realistically as a born and raised American girl.
Since I am writing my memoir, reading Azadeh's memoir helped me to be braver to explain the negative feelings I had when I lived back in Iran, the feelings that I repressed because of the autocracy’s influence at the deepest part of one’s personal life. It’s easier now to explain when I acted selfishly to survive since I was part of that system and didn’t know better.
I can see now I have come a long way and learned how to defend my rights and respect others in a democratic system.
December 9, 2010
Well, Azadeh Moaveni has certainly matured since the whiny days of "Lipstick Jihad," although she still displays the same angst about wanting to belong in Iran while feeling unable to reconcile with the lack of freedom there. Like "The Ayatollah Begs to Differ," "Honeymoon in Tehran" braids three themes together -- Iranian history and current events, Iranian day-to-day experience and culture, and Azadeh's personal lens as both a journalist and a resident of Tehran. Unlike "The Ayatollah Begs to Differ," "Honeymoon in Tehran" is written in clear sentences and well-organized, is not didactic in tone, follows a narrative arc, and seamlessly darts between these three aspects so that you see where Azadeh is going and what she's trying to say. Although I'm sure it's impossible to ever fully grasp another place and culture, I came away from "Honeymoon in Tehran" feeling like I had lived in Tehran along with Azadeh and seen both its drawbacks and its appeal. While Azadeh's life in Tehran was understandably increasingly stressful as Ahmadinejad's government cracked down religiously and became more hostile to foreign journalists, the reader also saw how living surrounded by a warm and supportive extended family, especially with a new baby, was a difficult thing to walk away from.
Although this book sometimes felt too long and detailed, overall I enjoyed this look at Iranian culture and at Azadeh's attempt to find her place within it.
Although this book sometimes felt too long and detailed, overall I enjoyed this look at Iranian culture and at Azadeh's attempt to find her place within it.
July 29, 2016
Since reading Lipstick Jihad it seems Moaveni's self-aggrandizing has grown. I laughed when she gave a pretty harsh condemnation of her fellow-Iranians for their Bridezilla-ness, and then she goes and excuses her own behavior on the grounds that her taste in wedding finery is classier than everyone else's. Maybe she didn't give us enough time to miss her before coming out with this next round of "memoir-ing," while still only 33 years of age.
There were gaping holes that bothered me and by that no I am not angling for a third part in the Azadeh Moaveni autobiography series, thanks but no thanks. What happened to her husband's daughter from his previous marriage (who never got mentioned again after we were first introduced to him and the apparently-much-loved-photograph of his little 4-year old girl that he kept in his wallet)? Likewise the political prisoner who had once championed Moaveni at the Wilson Center who was imprisoned in Iran and contributed to Moaveni and her husband's ultimate decision to leave the country (according to Wikipedia Esfandieri was safely released on $330,000 bail after 110 days in prison). And finally, Moaveni's own mother's breast cancer, she never let us know how that turned out. I guess I'd care more about those things than so many petty details of Moaveni's life and pregnancy.
There were gaping holes that bothered me and by that no I am not angling for a third part in the Azadeh Moaveni autobiography series, thanks but no thanks. What happened to her husband's daughter from his previous marriage (who never got mentioned again after we were first introduced to him and the apparently-much-loved-photograph of his little 4-year old girl that he kept in his wallet)? Likewise the political prisoner who had once championed Moaveni at the Wilson Center who was imprisoned in Iran and contributed to Moaveni and her husband's ultimate decision to leave the country (according to Wikipedia Esfandieri was safely released on $330,000 bail after 110 days in prison). And finally, Moaveni's own mother's breast cancer, she never let us know how that turned out. I guess I'd care more about those things than so many petty details of Moaveni's life and pregnancy.
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