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I Kept Walking: The Unlikely Story of a Persian Woman with Polio
I Kept Walking opens in 1940s Tehran when a misguided prank leaves three- year-old Minou frozen in fear. Days later, a doctor breaks the news to her “Your daughter has polio.”
To understand why nothing is as it seems—the cause of her polio or why her dutiful Jewish mother, who was married off at 13, thwarted her dream of marriage, Minou must flee Iran and confront the psychological toll of her polio.
I Kept Walking is the audacious account of a bold young woman who was unwilling to be crushed by polio or the prohibitions of a conservative society.
From the labyrinth of narrow alleys in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to a Jerusalem hospital room, this unforgettable memoir depicts a young woman’s struggle to embrace her culture while defying its taboos.
This immigrant story will resonate with mothers and daughters, Jews and Persians, as well as anyone who has braved the unknown and kept on walking.
To understand why nothing is as it seems—the cause of her polio or why her dutiful Jewish mother, who was married off at 13, thwarted her dream of marriage, Minou must flee Iran and confront the psychological toll of her polio.
I Kept Walking is the audacious account of a bold young woman who was unwilling to be crushed by polio or the prohibitions of a conservative society.
From the labyrinth of narrow alleys in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to a Jerusalem hospital room, this unforgettable memoir depicts a young woman’s struggle to embrace her culture while defying its taboos.
This immigrant story will resonate with mothers and daughters, Jews and Persians, as well as anyone who has braved the unknown and kept on walking.
- GenresMemoir
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2022
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 22, 2022
As a child, Minou Michlin miraculously recovered from polio after undergoing surgery in Israel. Added to her health problems were challenges of growing up in a conservative Jewish society in 1940s Iran. The family was supportive in many ways, but in that time and place, Jewish girls were expected to find a suitable husband at a young age, which wasn't an easy task for someone who was deemed "damaged goods." Fleeing Iran to get away from family and cultural ties seemed the only option.
Married to David Michlin (2 kids; 5 grandkids), Los-Angeles-based Dr. Michlin is a professor emeritus of social work at Southern Connecticut State University. She worked as a social worker in Tehran's Jewish ghetto and oversaw day cares across Iran. Ghost-writer/book-coach Gali Kronenberg, himself a New York Times best-selling author, helped put the inspiring stories told by the first author into engaging English prose. What emerges is a personal tale of facing insurmountable barriers, along with much in way of Iranian and Jewish history and culture. Mixed in are glimpses of Israel and the United States.
The book is quite absorbing right from the start. We read in the first few pages that for Iranian Jews, Reza Shah's rise to power was a double-edged sword. His modernizing efforts and curtailing the influence of Shi'i clerics helped the Jews. But, when he cozied up to Hitler, his adulation of the anti-Semitic dictator quickly spread to the public. Swastikas began appearing on school blackboards. At one point, the family maid asked Michlin's mom to transfer the family's house and other assets to her for safekeeping and, in return, she would hide everyone in her village!
From this auspicious beginning, the book never lets up, pulling the reader along all the way to its happy ending. Short, single-themed chapters facilitate reading. Old family photos and a family tree add to the book's draw.
Married to David Michlin (2 kids; 5 grandkids), Los-Angeles-based Dr. Michlin is a professor emeritus of social work at Southern Connecticut State University. She worked as a social worker in Tehran's Jewish ghetto and oversaw day cares across Iran. Ghost-writer/book-coach Gali Kronenberg, himself a New York Times best-selling author, helped put the inspiring stories told by the first author into engaging English prose. What emerges is a personal tale of facing insurmountable barriers, along with much in way of Iranian and Jewish history and culture. Mixed in are glimpses of Israel and the United States.
The book is quite absorbing right from the start. We read in the first few pages that for Iranian Jews, Reza Shah's rise to power was a double-edged sword. His modernizing efforts and curtailing the influence of Shi'i clerics helped the Jews. But, when he cozied up to Hitler, his adulation of the anti-Semitic dictator quickly spread to the public. Swastikas began appearing on school blackboards. At one point, the family maid asked Michlin's mom to transfer the family's house and other assets to her for safekeeping and, in return, she would hide everyone in her village!
From this auspicious beginning, the book never lets up, pulling the reader along all the way to its happy ending. Short, single-themed chapters facilitate reading. Old family photos and a family tree add to the book's draw.
September 30, 2022
I appreciate Minou’s bravery and candidness. She’s had an interesting life.
January 22, 2023
I Kept Walking
The Unlikely Story
of a Persian Woman
with Polio
Jewish Biography
Immigrant Biography
Physical disability
By Minou Soumekh Michlin
Book review by Sylvia Jacobs
Three weeks before the author's birth, World War II came to her family’s doorstep. Her father Agha Jahn was away, when the sound of a bomb was heard erupting in the air. A second bomb exploded and the explosion shook her family’s home. It was quite thunderous. She and her siblings were quite frightened. British warplanes were bombing Iran. For her family and Jews across Persia this attack was a blessing indeed.
“The Shah’s administration for Germany, spread to the public.” In their small town of Hamadan, Muslim students painted swastikas on the chalkboard at the school her siblings attended. The students threw their arms into the air and yelled out, Sieg Heil! “Muslim neighbors spoke openly of their fondness for “cousin Hitler.” People were in a state of despair.
On August 25,1941, British planes began bombing Tehran, Qazvin and Hamadan. The Soviet red army troops that came into Tehran and the British bombing raids, kept the Germans out of Iran, preventing Reza Shah Pahlavi from aligning with Hitler. It took days but it was too much for Iran’s military. The invasion forced the Shah to tell his military to stand down. If you read this book you will find out what happened to the Shah afterwards. I have said enough.
On September 18,1941 the author was born. She was given the name Minou, meaning Heaven. She was also given the Hebrew name Esther. Unfortunately, when she was a small child she suddenly got the disease of polio. Would her mother, her grandmother, and her 14-year-old sister Mahin have to take care of her now? Her mother said that “one can not allow a tragedy or illness to serve as an excuse.” “One must soldier on!”
A positive thing about this book is that there is much information to be learned. One can learn a lot by reading this book. It is very educational. It was very refreshing to read about the author's mom, her behavior was one of an excellent mother. She absolutely did so much for her daughter. “While most mothers hid their crippled children to shield their family from public shame, Maman took the opposite approach.” “She wasn’t ashamed of me and made me feel that nothing could hold me back.” There is much I can quote from Manan ( the author's mom). This lady sounds like an angel. If I knew her I would hug her. This book gave me warmth and I felt such pleasure turning the pages.
It was nice to learn that despite the hardships her parents endured in Iran as Jews, they were still proud to be Jewish Iranians.
A negative is that I can’t say anymore about the book but believe me there is so much I can say. When I got to the last chapter of the book, I felt a feeling of sadness. I truly wanted to know more.
This book deserves the rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
When you read it, you will see for yourself and you will agree. It is very educational and you will learn a lot. The author’s mom is one to admire. My hope is for this author to write many more books. This is one of the best biographies I have read in quite a while.
I recommend this book for all to read.
The Unlikely Story
of a Persian Woman
with Polio
Jewish Biography
Immigrant Biography
Physical disability
By Minou Soumekh Michlin
Book review by Sylvia Jacobs
Three weeks before the author's birth, World War II came to her family’s doorstep. Her father Agha Jahn was away, when the sound of a bomb was heard erupting in the air. A second bomb exploded and the explosion shook her family’s home. It was quite thunderous. She and her siblings were quite frightened. British warplanes were bombing Iran. For her family and Jews across Persia this attack was a blessing indeed.
“The Shah’s administration for Germany, spread to the public.” In their small town of Hamadan, Muslim students painted swastikas on the chalkboard at the school her siblings attended. The students threw their arms into the air and yelled out, Sieg Heil! “Muslim neighbors spoke openly of their fondness for “cousin Hitler.” People were in a state of despair.
On August 25,1941, British planes began bombing Tehran, Qazvin and Hamadan. The Soviet red army troops that came into Tehran and the British bombing raids, kept the Germans out of Iran, preventing Reza Shah Pahlavi from aligning with Hitler. It took days but it was too much for Iran’s military. The invasion forced the Shah to tell his military to stand down. If you read this book you will find out what happened to the Shah afterwards. I have said enough.
On September 18,1941 the author was born. She was given the name Minou, meaning Heaven. She was also given the Hebrew name Esther. Unfortunately, when she was a small child she suddenly got the disease of polio. Would her mother, her grandmother, and her 14-year-old sister Mahin have to take care of her now? Her mother said that “one can not allow a tragedy or illness to serve as an excuse.” “One must soldier on!”
A positive thing about this book is that there is much information to be learned. One can learn a lot by reading this book. It is very educational. It was very refreshing to read about the author's mom, her behavior was one of an excellent mother. She absolutely did so much for her daughter. “While most mothers hid their crippled children to shield their family from public shame, Maman took the opposite approach.” “She wasn’t ashamed of me and made me feel that nothing could hold me back.” There is much I can quote from Manan ( the author's mom). This lady sounds like an angel. If I knew her I would hug her. This book gave me warmth and I felt such pleasure turning the pages.
It was nice to learn that despite the hardships her parents endured in Iran as Jews, they were still proud to be Jewish Iranians.
A negative is that I can’t say anymore about the book but believe me there is so much I can say. When I got to the last chapter of the book, I felt a feeling of sadness. I truly wanted to know more.
This book deserves the rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
When you read it, you will see for yourself and you will agree. It is very educational and you will learn a lot. The author’s mom is one to admire. My hope is for this author to write many more books. This is one of the best biographies I have read in quite a while.
I recommend this book for all to read.
April 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
A memoir of a tenacious and bold spirit, Michlin's empathy, intelligence, and perseverance is undeniable. Starting in an era I've read less accounting of, she witnesses two shifts of monarchy,the early days of Israel's establishment, the benefits that came with some of the Shah's policies as well as the rise of nationalism and brutal control, life and relations between the U.S. and Iran before the 79 revolution, and daily life in these places from childhood until her late twenties. Intimate, honest, the author bares much of herself for the reader.
While it's impossible not to admire the author, I found the most intriguing elements to be of society, culture, and era. The varied perspectives on the early days of Israel were fascinating in particular. As were insights into life for the religious minorities at the time. The depiction of deep familial connection was also warming.
In several cases she displays opinions and morals that show humanity does not listen to arbitrary borders and separations by government or society. I respected the humility of her sharing her awakening and acknowledgement of her privilege. One thing in many books concerning Iran come from the perspective of the upper class. Her seeing and showing some of the differences and respect for those not as fortunate was refreshing.
I had a bit of a rough time with some structural and other developmental editing choices. Overall the story progressed in a timeline. But there were times where a section would hop a little way back in time. This wouldn't necessarily be an issue if you could always see the connection to the previous story that would make it obvious why it was placed there. Or, if there was a stronger sense of focus. There was also repetition of statements and some that felt like leads that were never than returned to.
Michlin's fight with polio is central to her development. Stigma in cultural and social norms' dictated limitations on her options as a result. She would have not been set on her path if not for it. So it does always linger as an undertone. But as someone who never let it limit her, thanks to a strong willed mother who led by example and championed her in this regard, it is allowed to fall into the shadows.
Three additional strands that stick out as contenders for the reader's focus. Her relationship with her mother. Her own aspirations of motherhood. And her educational and professional journey. This is a case of expectations being crucial to how I experienced a book. For my own mind, I think I would have responded better if it had been marketed as a general set of autobiographical stories rather than a themed personal narrative.
All that said, being permitted to hear her story was a gift. There's much to be inspired by. I was given a glimpse into things I'd yet to stumble upon.
A memoir of a tenacious and bold spirit, Michlin's empathy, intelligence, and perseverance is undeniable. Starting in an era I've read less accounting of, she witnesses two shifts of monarchy,the early days of Israel's establishment, the benefits that came with some of the Shah's policies as well as the rise of nationalism and brutal control, life and relations between the U.S. and Iran before the 79 revolution, and daily life in these places from childhood until her late twenties. Intimate, honest, the author bares much of herself for the reader.
While it's impossible not to admire the author, I found the most intriguing elements to be of society, culture, and era. The varied perspectives on the early days of Israel were fascinating in particular. As were insights into life for the religious minorities at the time. The depiction of deep familial connection was also warming.
In several cases she displays opinions and morals that show humanity does not listen to arbitrary borders and separations by government or society. I respected the humility of her sharing her awakening and acknowledgement of her privilege. One thing in many books concerning Iran come from the perspective of the upper class. Her seeing and showing some of the differences and respect for those not as fortunate was refreshing.
I had a bit of a rough time with some structural and other developmental editing choices. Overall the story progressed in a timeline. But there were times where a section would hop a little way back in time. This wouldn't necessarily be an issue if you could always see the connection to the previous story that would make it obvious why it was placed there. Or, if there was a stronger sense of focus. There was also repetition of statements and some that felt like leads that were never than returned to.
Michlin's fight with polio is central to her development. Stigma in cultural and social norms' dictated limitations on her options as a result. She would have not been set on her path if not for it. So it does always linger as an undertone. But as someone who never let it limit her, thanks to a strong willed mother who led by example and championed her in this regard, it is allowed to fall into the shadows.
Three additional strands that stick out as contenders for the reader's focus. Her relationship with her mother. Her own aspirations of motherhood. And her educational and professional journey. This is a case of expectations being crucial to how I experienced a book. For my own mind, I think I would have responded better if it had been marketed as a general set of autobiographical stories rather than a themed personal narrative.
All that said, being permitted to hear her story was a gift. There's much to be inspired by. I was given a glimpse into things I'd yet to stumble upon.
September 25, 2024
Minou's book is totally mind-blowing. Totally. I was riveted - for many, many reasons. First, of course, for how as a woman she was categorized in Iran. Her mother was engaged to be married at NINE and MARRIED AT FOURTEEN! As an American woman, I cannot relate to this. Her mother was like Loretta Lynn, who was married at thirteen! And, of course, Minou was considered damaged goods by the Iranian culture because of her polio. What a mother she had! Really something special, although Minou had to separate from her in her twenties.
As an American girl and woman, I was very fortunate because in my home, my sister and I were not expected to get married and have children, as Iranian women are. If we did, that was fine, but all we were expected to do was to live good, constructive lives and give back to the community. The constraints put on Iranian girls - and this is still the Iranian culture - is totally horrific!
And I learned a lot about what it was to be Jewish in Iran. As an American Jew, I had no idea that it was horrible for Jews in Iran before the Pahlavis. And I loved reading about Israel in 1953 when Minou had her surgeries there.
I Kept Walking made me feel so lucky once again for my upbringing in the good, ol USA, even with all its problems.
As an American girl and woman, I was very fortunate because in my home, my sister and I were not expected to get married and have children, as Iranian women are. If we did, that was fine, but all we were expected to do was to live good, constructive lives and give back to the community. The constraints put on Iranian girls - and this is still the Iranian culture - is totally horrific!
And I learned a lot about what it was to be Jewish in Iran. As an American Jew, I had no idea that it was horrible for Jews in Iran before the Pahlavis. And I loved reading about Israel in 1953 when Minou had her surgeries there.
I Kept Walking made me feel so lucky once again for my upbringing in the good, ol USA, even with all its problems.
October 26, 2022
I Loved every page of this book! It had cultural history as well as a down to earth real life story of a child born with multiple DisAbilities” (polio and dyslexia). Minou, the author was able to share her obstacles and her inner thoughts of her personal hopes and dreams. Her large, close, traditional and very protective family may have had different hopes, all with love. As Minou grew, it seemed everyday she developed a drive and an independence and never lost that drive to achieve her goals.
I Kept Walking show’s how when raising the bar, as difficult as it was, that obstacles and goals can and did happen. It was not easy but the tenacity of Minou and her strong desires, successful career and beautiful Love story makes this a must read memoir.
I think this book should be shared as a mandatory read with every student, it shares the real and beautiful side of Persian and Jewish ways!
I Kept Walking show’s how when raising the bar, as difficult as it was, that obstacles and goals can and did happen. It was not easy but the tenacity of Minou and her strong desires, successful career and beautiful Love story makes this a must read memoir.
I think this book should be shared as a mandatory read with every student, it shares the real and beautiful side of Persian and Jewish ways!
August 13, 2022
My book club selected this book based on a connection (friend of a friend) to the author, and I'm so appreciative of being exposed to this new author and her personal story. Author Minou Michlin lived through personal and family struggles, but with a bravery instilled by her mother and support of her large family and vast social network of persians in her life. This bravery carried her through her experience having polio and surgeries to correct as much as possible of the damage to her legs. It further carried her to thrive in pursuing her extensive education, a career and ultimately, marriage and a family in the United States. She did an alternate path and on an alternate timetable compared to many of her peers, but she enjoyed a rich and successful life that wouldn't had been possible if not for her polio. It was also nice to learn more about the Persian culture. Recommend, 5-stars.
July 30, 2023
This was a charming and absorbing story of the youngest daughter of a large Persian Jewish family, and how she grew up into a confident and independent woman. The photos added a lot, and I only wished that they had been printed on glossy paper, and concentrated in one location. Minou's accomplishments are impressive, and especially so given her upbringing.
November 16, 2024
“I KEPT WALKING” is fascinating and exhilarating: fascinating in its colorful insights into the everyday life of a middle-class Jewish family in twentieth century Iran; exhilarating in the exploration of ‘walking’ as a symbol of breaking with societal taboos in search of moving toward liberation, and the self-actualization of a disabled girl’s hopes and dreams.
Julie G. Madorsky, M.D
Julie G. Madorsky, M.D
Read
April 1, 2022The memoir looks beautiful (stunning pictures), feels good in your hands (beautiful printing quality) and is impossible to put down (each chapter is 3-4 pages, so it is easy to get hooked quickly!).
There were chapters that brought me to tears, made me laugh with delight and some that were so painful, I found myself holding my breath awaiting the end of the chapter, where Minou so often shares a perspective of resilience and hope.
Gali and Minou's writing takes the reader on a journey into Iran on the cusp of change following World War II, Israel in the country's emerging years of independence and American Mid West where Minou experiences the pain and promise of the American Dream.
This book should be of interest beyond Persians and Jewish readers- Anyone interested in family relationships, motherhood, disability and resilience, history will find this book hard to put down.
There were chapters that brought me to tears, made me laugh with delight and some that were so painful, I found myself holding my breath awaiting the end of the chapter, where Minou so often shares a perspective of resilience and hope.
Gali and Minou's writing takes the reader on a journey into Iran on the cusp of change following World War II, Israel in the country's emerging years of independence and American Mid West where Minou experiences the pain and promise of the American Dream.
This book should be of interest beyond Persians and Jewish readers- Anyone interested in family relationships, motherhood, disability and resilience, history will find this book hard to put down.
September 5, 2022
I was very disappointed with this book. The story is interesting but there's way too much detail and I don't understand it when chapters are only one page long. The general story of Minou's life was interesting but not enough (in my opinion) for a book.
January 27, 2023
I loved this book. Such interesting history and strong characters.
June 15, 2022
A lovely story
A wonderful story……Take a walk through the life of an amazing, brave, intelligent women. Learn how the author conquered her disability, came to the United States and started a career and family.
A wonderful story……Take a walk through the life of an amazing, brave, intelligent women. Learn how the author conquered her disability, came to the United States and started a career and family.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews