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Two Worlds Apart
The path to becoming one of the most influential women in Iran of the 1970's, leads Zahra Kadjar, an American educated Persian girl, down a rocky path of love, horses and politics that blind her from the realization of the revolution that was taking place in her beloved country.
488 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2020
About the author
Gail Rose Thompson
6 books24 followersI grew up in Ontario, Canada mostly living in the country, where I was able to enjoy equine activities. I enjoyed the Pony Club, went fox hunting, showed hunters and jumpers and also rode some steeple chasing. When I moved to Iran in the early 1970's I was given the opportunity to ride and train at the Shah's beautiful Imperial Stables which was on the southern edge of the city of Tehran. I helped develop show jumping in Iran which was in its inception when I arrived there. My book, "All the Shah's Horses", is collection of stories of my time during a wonderful and exciting few years in a beautiful country filled with kind, gregarious, fun loving and intelligent people as well as beautiful horses.
"Iran from Crown to Turbans" depicts life in Iran during the time of the Shah, the revolution and how things have changed in this misrepresented country, in post-revolutionary days. I had a most interesting and enjoyable trip back there in the autumn of 2017.
"Iran from Crown to Turbans" depicts life in Iran during the time of the Shah, the revolution and how things have changed in this misrepresented country, in post-revolutionary days. I had a most interesting and enjoyable trip back there in the autumn of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 17, 2020
Summary
Zahra is half Persian and half American, but her upbringing is mostly of Persian culture. She has lived a life of comfort in Iran most of her life until her parents decide to commence her education in America. Innocent to the world outside, she learns the difference between American and Persian culture, and realizes that she is not amenable to marriage of convenience, an Iran custom that she may have to deal with later. She meets Tom, her first love, in America. Unfortunate events happen and Zahra has no choice but to go home. Due to circumstances that she never imagined would happen, she is led to an extraordinary experience that shapes her to become an influential woman in Iran.
Review
Two Worlds Apart is a historical romance and drama by Gail Rose Thompson. The setting is of dual timeline: 1947 and 1979. In this book, the author incorporated romance, triumph, and tragedy amidst political and social warfare, but mostly, the book discussed the history of Asil horses and how Zahra’s life revolved around her passion for horses.
Honestly, it was a bit hard for me to read the book because of the many difficult Iranian words and names. I would’ve enjoyed it more if it were an audiobook, so that I would know the right pronunciations. Nevertheless, the storyline is one of a kind and it gave me so much information that I didn’t know before. I never imagined how much time, love, and effort it took to groom, breed, and ride horses and enter them on competitions.
Overall, I’m giving this book 4 out 5 stars. It is rich in knowledge of Persian culture, Asil horses, and tribal life. The only thing I dislike about it is its poor editing. I recommend this book to readers who want to read a story that will feed your mind.
Zahra is half Persian and half American, but her upbringing is mostly of Persian culture. She has lived a life of comfort in Iran most of her life until her parents decide to commence her education in America. Innocent to the world outside, she learns the difference between American and Persian culture, and realizes that she is not amenable to marriage of convenience, an Iran custom that she may have to deal with later. She meets Tom, her first love, in America. Unfortunate events happen and Zahra has no choice but to go home. Due to circumstances that she never imagined would happen, she is led to an extraordinary experience that shapes her to become an influential woman in Iran.
Review
Two Worlds Apart is a historical romance and drama by Gail Rose Thompson. The setting is of dual timeline: 1947 and 1979. In this book, the author incorporated romance, triumph, and tragedy amidst political and social warfare, but mostly, the book discussed the history of Asil horses and how Zahra’s life revolved around her passion for horses.
Honestly, it was a bit hard for me to read the book because of the many difficult Iranian words and names. I would’ve enjoyed it more if it were an audiobook, so that I would know the right pronunciations. Nevertheless, the storyline is one of a kind and it gave me so much information that I didn’t know before. I never imagined how much time, love, and effort it took to groom, breed, and ride horses and enter them on competitions.
Overall, I’m giving this book 4 out 5 stars. It is rich in knowledge of Persian culture, Asil horses, and tribal life. The only thing I dislike about it is its poor editing. I recommend this book to readers who want to read a story that will feed your mind.
October 31, 2020
Togetherness a heartbeat away
What a sad beautiful story. The love story was very poetic in the descriptions of life in middle east with horses . To find love then lose it is sad.
What a sad beautiful story. The love story was very poetic in the descriptions of life in middle east with horses . To find love then lose it is sad.
April 28, 2020
This engrossing story was hard to put down. Not only did I become fascinated by the characters but I also learned much about the Persian culture, the Asil horses and tribal life. Zahra's love of family, horses and two very different men compelled her to follow a remarkable life path.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews