Equal of the Sun: A Novel by Anita Amirrezvani

Equal of the Sun: A Novel by Anita Amirrezvani
Published June 2012 by Scribner
Source: my copy courtesy of the publisher and TLC Book Tours

I've found myself drawn to books set in the Middle East in the past few years so when TLC Book Tours approached me about reviewing a work of historical fiction based in Iran, I jumped at the chance to learn more about the history of this region.

When the Shah of Iran dies in 1576 without naming an heir, his court is thrown into chaos and two camps quickly emerge. One camp favors Haydar, a son who immediately steps up and claims the position. The other favors Isma'il, the son who was sent to prison more than twenty years ago by his father. Among his supports is his sister, Princess Pari, their father's protege. Pari knows more about the workings of the court and, though she is not allowed to serve as shah, she quickly steps up and works to instill order in the court and to bring Isma'il to power. But resentment and anger build within the court toward Pari. It will take all of the secrets and information that Pari, and her closest advisor, the eunuch Javaher, possess to keep them safe. But Pari's temper and sense of what is owed her and Javaher's quest to find the killer of his father make it harder and harder to escape the killings that surround them.

What I Liked About It:  Amirrezvani has clearly done her research and learning about life in Iran in the 16th century and the inner workings of the royal court. It was certainly a different court than the English court we are so used to reading about. Javaher, the eunuch who narrates the story, is certainly the most interesting character - when his father was murdered for treason, Javaher submitted to becoming a eunuch in order to prove his loyalty to the Shah. It allows him to become part of the court in order to work to find out what happened to his father, but it was his relationship with Pari that made him such an interesting character.

What I Didn't Like About It:  The lush and descriptive writing that initially impressed me started to grow old around the middle of the book. While details about the clothing and food can make a story come alive, I began to tire of reading the specifics of what each of the women was wearing. I think the side story about Javaher's hunt for the killer could almost have been left out of the story other than the need to have a reason why this man was so willing to do whatever it took to be in the court. The real story was always the struggle to find a shah and stay in favor. I felt, throughout the book, that different editing would have enhanced my appreciation of this book. Almost from the start, this story was nonstop action but, for me, the tension was not consistent and I felt that there was quite a lot of repetition.

Anita Amirrezvani

In the end, I liked this book and I certainly appreciate what it taught me. For lovers of historical fiction, you will find much to enjoy here. If you look at other reviews on the tour, you'll find that reviewers are loving this book. This is Amirrezvani's second book. Her first, The Blood of Flowers, was longlisted for the Orange Prize.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for including me on this tour!

Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji

Rooftops of Tehran By Mahbod Seraji
368 pages
Published May 2009 by Penguin
Source: borrowed

In pre-revolutionary Iran, 17-year-old Pasha is spending the summer on his rooftop with his best friend Ahmed, talking about what teenage boys the world over talk about--the girls they're in love with, their crazy parents, the neighborhood bullies. Pasha is secretly in love with Zari, the girl next door. But Zari has been betrothed to Doctor since they were young children. And Pasha really, really admires Doctor who, as a student many years older, has ideas about the world that Pasha finds compelling. When Doctor goes away for a while, Ahmed hatches a plan to allow Pasha to spend time with Zari (and Ahmed to spend time with the girl he is in love with as well). Despite feeling guilty about being in love with Doctor's future wife, this is a wonderful time for Pasha. But when Doctor sneaks back to the neighborhood late one night, Pasha accidentally gives him away to the Shah's secret police and sets in motion a series of events that will change the lives of everyone in the neighborhood.

This story appealed to me on many levels. It was so interesting to learn more about another part of the world, another culture, another time. Seraji includes in the story the views that many Iranians had of the Americans at the time. They hated the U.S. for their interference in their country and for installing a despot. At the same time, they were entranced with the idea of going to the U.S. and the lifestyle and educational opportunities to be found there. The stories about how dissidents were treated were horrific but not over done and really used to make the reader understand the character' motivations.

The coming-of-age story of both Pasha and Ahmed includes, remarkably, a great deal of humor which makes it feel very realistic and believable as it balances out the heavier elements. The writing is clear but paints a vivid picture of the people and their surroundings.

Seraji's writing can sometimes get a bit cliched and occasionally even flowery. Periodically, the story seemed to drag. But not often and not for long; and, because the overall story was so good, this reader was willing to forgive those flaws.

I read this for my face-to-face book club which will meet to discuss it next week. I anticipate that it will lead to a lively discussion as there is much to talk about in this book. We are looking forward to getting to talk to Mr. Seraji as well; it specifically says in the back of the book that he is available to talk to book clubs.

**Update**
For an author Q and A and an audio interview, click here.