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The Girl From Revolution Road
A powerful collection of personal essays on displacement, being different and living between two worlds, told with humour and self-reflection.
'A book for our times, written with wit, lyricism, cynicism and tenderness.' Rachel House
Based on Ghazaleh Golbakhsh's experience as an Iranian immigrant growing up in New Zealand, these essays range from a childhood in war-torn Iran, including the trauma of a night spent in prison as a six-year-old, to learning English so she could make friends, to dating in the days of Corona. This is about growing up as a young woman torn between her immigrant roots and her desire to be like everyone else.
The humour is sometimes offset with the more sombre reminder of the racism that has always existed in this country, from misguided quips to more serious stories of harassment. The impact of recent world events shows that, more than ever, marginalised voices are needed in our cultural discourse.
'A book for our times, written with wit, lyricism, cynicism and tenderness.' Rachel House
Based on Ghazaleh Golbakhsh's experience as an Iranian immigrant growing up in New Zealand, these essays range from a childhood in war-torn Iran, including the trauma of a night spent in prison as a six-year-old, to learning English so she could make friends, to dating in the days of Corona. This is about growing up as a young woman torn between her immigrant roots and her desire to be like everyone else.
The humour is sometimes offset with the more sombre reminder of the racism that has always existed in this country, from misguided quips to more serious stories of harassment. The impact of recent world events shows that, more than ever, marginalised voices are needed in our cultural discourse.
- GenresMemoirNonfictionEssays
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2020
8 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Ghazaleh Golbakhsh
1 book4 followersGhazaleh Golbakhsh is an Iranian-New Zealand writer, filmmaker and Fulbright scholar. Her first book of personal essays, The Girl From Revolution Road is published by Allen & Unwin in 2020.
She was awarded the CLNZ/NZ Society of Authors Research Grant in 2019. Ghazaleh is based in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
She was awarded the CLNZ/NZ Society of Authors Research Grant in 2019. Ghazaleh is based in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 21, 2020
Borders are constructs; and the more time goes on, the more borders we seem to make
Some essays amazing, some a bit so so (as expected in a collection). All have little jewels of insight to be noted.
Some essays amazing, some a bit so so (as expected in a collection). All have little jewels of insight to be noted.
January 19, 2021
This volume of essays is essential reading for teens through to adults who are looking for a different perspective on growing up as an immigrant in New Zealand. Ghazaleh Golbakhsh moved to NZ with her family from Iran. While her parents hung on to their Persian culture and seemed stuck in a world of 1980 Iranian pop music with a small social circle of other immigrants, Ghazaleh made friends with her neighbours and school mates to try and 'fit in' in a way that made sense of her being a part of 2 cultures. Her essays are easy to read and give lots of examples of what she remembers life being like in Iran and how it felt facing racism and being treated as 'different' when growing up in a country where she initially didn't understand the language, let alone any of the traditions (the story about having to bring a plate to a school part will resonate with lots of people!) Her writing is perceptive and thought provoking - highly recommended.
October 18, 2020
Gazaleh is an excellent writer who left me wanting more. Each story is told with humour and heart, in a way that takes you places. Anyone torn between two cultures or knows what it’s like to struggle to find your place in the world will relate to her work. So many fascinating and funny tidbits mixed with the hard stuff meant is was the perfect read I couldn’t put down.
October 18, 2020
The Girl from Revolution Road - Ghazaleh Golbakhsh
Extremely educational read!!! I recommend this to everybody!
It’s actually really difficult to articulate my thoughts and feelings on this one.
As a reader you are told what it is like to be an immigrant in New Zealand. Spoiler alert: we New Zealanders are real dicks to immigrants and minorities. We, collectively as a society. As soon as you think you are not a dick and not included in this ‘we’- you become part of the problem.
It is hard to fathom the turmoil and destruction that Ghazaleh and her family experienced in Iran before immigrating to New Zealand. Can you imagine how bad things would have to be to make all of these sacrifices to move to the other side of the world with your family? Somewhere where you become a minority who is discriminated against constantly, where you know no one and have left family and friends behind, where a different language is spoken, somewhere where the majority of the population expect you to feel ‘privileged’ to be here and you must be seen to continuously earn and honour that ‘privilege’?
This book serves as a reality check for NZ as a country and how we treat others. It shows the reality of moving to this ‘paradise’ we pride ourselves on for being such a great place to live and so accepting yet this is not the case. Immigrants are a skilled, and necessary part of our population. They bring a richness and diversity to society and contribute hugely to our economy (and so much more).
Read. This. Book. Develop your understanding. We can do better. We have to do better.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Extremely educational read!!! I recommend this to everybody!
It’s actually really difficult to articulate my thoughts and feelings on this one.
As a reader you are told what it is like to be an immigrant in New Zealand. Spoiler alert: we New Zealanders are real dicks to immigrants and minorities. We, collectively as a society. As soon as you think you are not a dick and not included in this ‘we’- you become part of the problem.
It is hard to fathom the turmoil and destruction that Ghazaleh and her family experienced in Iran before immigrating to New Zealand. Can you imagine how bad things would have to be to make all of these sacrifices to move to the other side of the world with your family? Somewhere where you become a minority who is discriminated against constantly, where you know no one and have left family and friends behind, where a different language is spoken, somewhere where the majority of the population expect you to feel ‘privileged’ to be here and you must be seen to continuously earn and honour that ‘privilege’?
This book serves as a reality check for NZ as a country and how we treat others. It shows the reality of moving to this ‘paradise’ we pride ourselves on for being such a great place to live and so accepting yet this is not the case. Immigrants are a skilled, and necessary part of our population. They bring a richness and diversity to society and contribute hugely to our economy (and so much more).
Read. This. Book. Develop your understanding. We can do better. We have to do better.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 15, 2021
A collection of auto-biographical stories from Iranian-New Zealander with a hardto pronounce name, and vastly different background to the kids around her at school and in the neighbourhood. Tales of adjustment, cultural clashes, racism and ostracism, but also of finding home and being part of the rich diaspora community.
Arriving as refugees to New Zealand in the 1980s, after fleeing the violent scenes of persecution and oppression in Iran, the experience of learning the ways of a country on the other side of the world is challenging and new. New language, new community customs, and finding ways to be part of a new community. Whilst finding your people in amongst all the difficulties.
Weaving Iranian history around the experience of growing up in New Zealand as a brown Middle Easter 'other', there is much here I haven't come across before.
Ghazalah shares her incredible roaming life so far, through travels, her studies, her many jobs, and search for home and love.
A personal sharing of herself, her family, and what it is to be part of a cultural minority within New Zealand society. A fresh voice, and one to look out for more from.
Arriving as refugees to New Zealand in the 1980s, after fleeing the violent scenes of persecution and oppression in Iran, the experience of learning the ways of a country on the other side of the world is challenging and new. New language, new community customs, and finding ways to be part of a new community. Whilst finding your people in amongst all the difficulties.
Weaving Iranian history around the experience of growing up in New Zealand as a brown Middle Easter 'other', there is much here I haven't come across before.
Ghazalah shares her incredible roaming life so far, through travels, her studies, her many jobs, and search for home and love.
A personal sharing of herself, her family, and what it is to be part of a cultural minority within New Zealand society. A fresh voice, and one to look out for more from.
August 31, 2021
Could be biased cus I know the author, but I really enjoyed it and wish it was longer.
October 8, 2020
📚 📚 📚 REVIEW (Iranian-New Zealand Author) 📚 📚 📚
🐈: Now this is what representation looks like…
👩🏽⚕️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Girl From Revolution Road by Ghazaleh Golbakhsh @ghazalehgol
•
I absolutely LOVED this collection of essays. I enjoyed reading the words of Ghazaleh and hearing her perspective on various topics which she wrote about through her own experiences. From important historical events in Iran, growing up as an immigrant in NZ, ethnicity, racism, returning to Iran, Iran of today, the mosque terror attack in Christchurch, dating, and travelling the world in search of herself. It is high time we had access to books with voices like this and more importantly that these voices begin to shape a narrative that has been in the wrong hands for far too long.
•
I learnt more about how growing up in NZ shapes a certain narrative related to immigrants. I learned more about the history of Iran and started to understand more about how islamaphobia/xenophobia operates here in NZ. NZ tries too hard to fend it off saying that it’s not us. But it is us. And the sooner we accept that the sooner we can unlearn all the crap.
•
One way we can help is by giving our power up - and placing it with those who know more about this than us - those with the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom to share. Those like Ghazaleh. But not just in media - everywhere. At our work and in our homes. As Ghazaleh notes - representation matters.
•
An absolutely remarkable academic, actress, film maker and scholar with an ability to write too. What a woman. Fangirl right here. An easy 5 stars. Everyone should read it yesterday!
•
Thank you @allenandunwinnz for this review copy #gifted
🐈: Now this is what representation looks like…
👩🏽⚕️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Girl From Revolution Road by Ghazaleh Golbakhsh @ghazalehgol
•
I absolutely LOVED this collection of essays. I enjoyed reading the words of Ghazaleh and hearing her perspective on various topics which she wrote about through her own experiences. From important historical events in Iran, growing up as an immigrant in NZ, ethnicity, racism, returning to Iran, Iran of today, the mosque terror attack in Christchurch, dating, and travelling the world in search of herself. It is high time we had access to books with voices like this and more importantly that these voices begin to shape a narrative that has been in the wrong hands for far too long.
•
I learnt more about how growing up in NZ shapes a certain narrative related to immigrants. I learned more about the history of Iran and started to understand more about how islamaphobia/xenophobia operates here in NZ. NZ tries too hard to fend it off saying that it’s not us. But it is us. And the sooner we accept that the sooner we can unlearn all the crap.
•
One way we can help is by giving our power up - and placing it with those who know more about this than us - those with the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom to share. Those like Ghazaleh. But not just in media - everywhere. At our work and in our homes. As Ghazaleh notes - representation matters.
•
An absolutely remarkable academic, actress, film maker and scholar with an ability to write too. What a woman. Fangirl right here. An easy 5 stars. Everyone should read it yesterday!
•
Thank you @allenandunwinnz for this review copy #gifted
March 7, 2021
This is the most relatable yet, eye opening collection of essays that I have come across. It's relatable in the sense that anyone who doesn't feel they fit in, create versions of themselves that's far from who they TRULY are.
"The Girl From Revolution Road" helped me make sense of how easy it is to lose yourself and most importantly, your only connection[s] to your culture and family when your exposed to many forms of fear and harassments, internalized racism (and racism), identity struggles and representation (or lack thereof). Chapter after chapter, I embarked on a journey of self-realization and was confronted with questions not only about who I am (and unfortunately the social issues we face in NZ) , but where I come from, who I come from and how valuable this means to me as a young woman growing up in today's society and how crucial it is to my identity (as well as others with similar/same backgrounds), to express this wonderful aspect of my life.
In reading this, I found a voice to bring out my hidden truths and although it may carry different messages for others, I found that "The Girl From Revolution Road" gave me a voice to find confidence in my identity through my culture and my people, and how representation of who we are is crucial to the power of diversity throughout both our individual lives and the reality we live in.
"The Girl From Revolution Road" helped me make sense of how easy it is to lose yourself and most importantly, your only connection[s] to your culture and family when your exposed to many forms of fear and harassments, internalized racism (and racism), identity struggles and representation (or lack thereof). Chapter after chapter, I embarked on a journey of self-realization and was confronted with questions not only about who I am (and unfortunately the social issues we face in NZ) , but where I come from, who I come from and how valuable this means to me as a young woman growing up in today's society and how crucial it is to my identity (as well as others with similar/same backgrounds), to express this wonderful aspect of my life.
In reading this, I found a voice to bring out my hidden truths and although it may carry different messages for others, I found that "The Girl From Revolution Road" gave me a voice to find confidence in my identity through my culture and my people, and how representation of who we are is crucial to the power of diversity throughout both our individual lives and the reality we live in.
December 20, 2020
Full review published on the Narrative Muse website https://narrativemuse.co/books/the-gi...
Illuminating, maddening, and inspiring, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh’s debut collection of essays, The Girl from Revolution Road, is a difficult read. That’s not surprising, as it centers on immigration, identity, and finding where you fit.
Exploring experiences from her own life, Golbakhsh gives us a front row seat to racism, sexism, Islamophobia, and othering. She relays complex information in an accessible way, making every story potentially relatable and often humorous.
The Girl from Revolution Road feels important. I gleaned much information, and was shocked many times, but I felt inspired and urged to do more. It’s time to use our individual and collective voices to make sure every person is heard – and feels safe. In my country, we take for granted that we live in “good old NZ,” and I think we don’t do enough work towards making it great.
“The other passengers ignored what was going on and waited for me to do something about it … Being a true ally means not sitting silently and watching from the outside, but stepping in to help when you can” – from the essay “The Land of English"
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Illuminating, maddening, and inspiring, Ghazaleh Golbakhsh’s debut collection of essays, The Girl from Revolution Road, is a difficult read. That’s not surprising, as it centers on immigration, identity, and finding where you fit.
Exploring experiences from her own life, Golbakhsh gives us a front row seat to racism, sexism, Islamophobia, and othering. She relays complex information in an accessible way, making every story potentially relatable and often humorous.
The Girl from Revolution Road feels important. I gleaned much information, and was shocked many times, but I felt inspired and urged to do more. It’s time to use our individual and collective voices to make sure every person is heard – and feels safe. In my country, we take for granted that we live in “good old NZ,” and I think we don’t do enough work towards making it great.
“The other passengers ignored what was going on and waited for me to do something about it … Being a true ally means not sitting silently and watching from the outside, but stepping in to help when you can” – from the essay “The Land of English"
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 13, 2022
A collection of essays chronicling an individual’s experience growing up in New Zealand as an Iranian immigrant. Disjointed in parts and the author uses unnecessarily complex vocabulary in an attempt to sound intellectual. Was it entertaining? Vaguely, but only because I partially knew this author as a child. Ordinary events that wouldn’t even be deemed remarkable have been given undeserved importance. The author often lends herself as the victim without acknowledging that she too was the victimiser at times as an adolescent and teenager. She describes Golriz (Ghahraman) as her best friend who also “suffered”, while blindly ignoring the fact that Golriz was the quintessential bully of the Iranian community of children in the 90s. Enabler much? Indeed.
October 21, 2020
Inspired by Rose Lu's book of personal essays this is Ghazaleh Golbakhish's take on growing up in a predominantly Pākehā part of Aotearoa. From post-revolution Iran to the North Shore in Auckland, and time spent in London and the USA Ghazaleh writes eloquently about the stereotypes and racism she is subjected to, about being part of the Persian diaspora and about working out what home means.
February 13, 2021
this is an easy to read collection of autobiographical essays about growing up as an immigrant and finding one's place in the world.
June 9, 2021
So enlightening and worthwhile reading.
June 22, 2021
Tale-like stories mixed up realities of life, pondering today's and mostly immigrants issues, borrowing memories... Good read!
August 6, 2021
A very interesting perspective on a refugees life
August 9, 2024
Always a curiosity and charm trying to relate to another writer, also aiming to make sense of their identity as an immigrant Kiwi!
May 17, 2021
Ghazaleh Golbakhsh moved from Iran to New Zealand with her family when she was a child. This is not strictly speaking a memoir but instead is a collection of personal essays covering a range of topics: her childhood in Iran, how she adapted to life in New Zealand, her experiences with racism and Islamophobia. Some of the essays are terrific, some are just ok or repeat material that's already been covered. Overall though it's terrifically readable and interesting and I closed the book feeling like I'd made a new friend. And wow, SUCH a gorgeous cover!
January 6, 2021
The Girl from Revolution Road is a collection of essays written by Ghazaleh Golbakhsh. I absolutely LOVED this book! It’s not often we get to hear about the Iranian-NewZealander migrant experience, so I was really excited to read this. The author shares about her family and childhood experiences in Iran, the history of her people, the Iranian diaspora, politics, and her travels abroad. We also learn about her experiences around identity, ethnicity, and growing up in New Zealand, and trying to fit into a society that isn’t always welcoming when you look and sound different. Xenophobia and Islamophobia does exist back home, and a lot of Kiwis are in denial about this 👀. These essays are written with honesty, love, and humor, and overall it was an educational reading and learning experience. If you know what it’s like to not be a part of the dominant culture in NZ, then it’s highly likely that Ghazaleh’s stories will resonate with you.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
There’s a part in the book about teachers and pronunciation of students names, which as a teacher, made me eye-roll + cringe! - ‘𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮, 𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢? 𝘎𝘢𝘩𝘢? 𝘎-𝘏𝘢𝘻? 𝘎𝘪𝘻𝘢? 𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘻𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢? 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺?‘ -
This took me right back to when I was growing up and teachers wouldn’t even try and say my name correctly. To my fellow educators, it doesn’t take a lot to make an effort👊🏽. Our students names are important, and more often than not, their names have a lot of history and meaning behind them.
#RecommendedRead 🌺✌🏽
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
There’s a part in the book about teachers and pronunciation of students names, which as a teacher, made me eye-roll + cringe! - ‘𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮, 𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢? 𝘎𝘢𝘩𝘢? 𝘎-𝘏𝘢𝘻? 𝘎𝘪𝘻𝘢? 𝘎𝘰𝘥𝘻𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢? 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺?‘ -
This took me right back to when I was growing up and teachers wouldn’t even try and say my name correctly. To my fellow educators, it doesn’t take a lot to make an effort👊🏽. Our students names are important, and more often than not, their names have a lot of history and meaning behind them.
#RecommendedRead 🌺✌🏽
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