About this title: Azar Nafasi formed a book club in Tehran comprised of seven young women who got together to discuss such books as THE GREAT GATSBY, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, DAISY MILLER, and, of course, LOLITA--books forbidden by the Islamic government. In this memoir, Nafasi, who was expelled from the country for refusing to wear the veil, writes about those women, the books, and her own career as a teacher of English literature--first in Iran, now (less precariously) at Johns Hopkins.
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Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN-13:9780812971064ISBN:081297106X
Description: Fine. 081297106X This trade sized paperback book is in GREAT SHAPE! ! ! The spine is not even creased! Crisp, clean pages! No writing, highlighting, underlining--NOTHING! ! Close to looking like it could be on the shelf of a new bookstore! SMOKE FREE HOME! Do not settle for worn, torn, throwaways. Pay a few pennies more for a beautiful, near new copy! ! ! read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780812971064ISBN:081297106X
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. VERY GOOD +++-CLEAN AND TIGHT BOOK. SMALL CORNER CREASE-OTHERWISE FINE CONDITION. SHIPS QUICKLY. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 356 p. Audience: General/trade. VERY GOOD +++-CLEAN AND TIGHT BOOK. SMALL CORNER CREASE-OTHERWISE FINE CONDITION. SHIPS QUICKLY. F-Nafisi, Azar, Random House Trade-large soft cover, 2003. American literature-Study and teaching-Iran; Biography & Autobiography; English literature-Study and teaching-Iran; Feminine; General; Group ... read more
"Nafisi is a brilliant writer and teacher, and this comes through in her novel. Anyone who wants to glimpse inside the culture of Iran, or those teach (like myself) will find this book both enlightening and useful."
"In her book, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi remembered that in the 1960s,
'It was not the fashion to think that our culture was not compatible with modern democracy. "We all wanted opportunities and freedom. That is why we supported revolutionary change, we were demanding more rights, not fewer. '
Even with the few rights she had, she later went on to become a professor of Persian studies at local universities. She brought a love of literature into many lives that may have been overcome by having to follow the religious beliefs of those in power during their generation.
Although Nafisi fought to remain unveiled, adamant that the symbol of the veil should not be used as a political sign , she allowed some of the students in her classes to influence the curriculum. In those days a teacher could be fired based on a student's report of her. And Nafisi was 'anxious' that she be well received by her students , even going so far as to hold a mock trial during the study of The Great Gatsby.
Many institutions used Iran for their own selfish ends, from the Regime itself to foreign powers and political parties. These forces and the roles they played in individual lives frustrated the people. Many people felt powerless or disillusioned, many even resented the interference. Yet, the small country grew into a major political power now recognized globally and respected in their own right."
"I loved this book. It gave me an inside view of life in Tehran, the lives of women and girls in changing and difficult times. This book demonstrated how books can be universal in illuminating women's experiences. I loved the idea of bringing food and drink to the book group. My group share cake, wine, fruit and chocolate too, much to the disdain of partners and a rival reading group.. This is where I was introduced to this book. Thank you book group."
"While I am not one to read literary writing, such as the authors who are discussed in this book, I fully appreciate learning about the experience of being a Muslim woman in Iran. A female professor, who leaves her teaching post at the university in Tehran, chooses to assemble a small group of female students at her home once a week, to discuss literature, and to help them better understand life through the characters in the books they read together. Many of the classics they study are banned by the government and as such, there is a secretive aspect to their time together. The book portrays the experience of being forced to be fully covered while out in society and at home, against the brief freedom these students have to shed their chador / robes while at the professor's home and have room to begin to express their individual personalities. This book gives a unique window into how every aspect of life is governed by oppressive governments."
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