Play Book Tag discussion

Then the Fish Swallowed Him: A Novel - Amir Ahmadi Arian 4/5

This is the first English language novel by the author. Remember back in early 2020 when we had the whole Iran thing? (you know, like 15 minutes ago but long forgotten) I thought it would be interesting to read about live in Iran. And it was .... but wow this was a harsh and visceral book.

It takes place in 2005 during a city wide bus strike in Tehran. The bus drivers were trying for better conditions. But it turned into a nasty political and even religious situation and we learn through our hapless protagonist about the severity of Evin prison.

The story is based on actual events, though I don't know how much of it is actually true. It does seem as though Evin prison is one of the worst places you would ever want to end up.

Dark and heartbreaking - hard to enjoy but interesting and the writing was very good.

This sounds right up my alley.