Overview

In a direct, frank, and intimate exploration of Iranian literature and society, scholar, teacher, and poet, Fatemeh Keshavarz challenges popular perceptions of Iran as a society bereft of vitality and joy. Her fresh perspective on present day Iran provides a rare insight into this rich culture alive with artistic expression but virtually unknown to most Americans. Keshavarz introduces readers to two modern Iranian women writers whose strong and articulate voices belie the stereotypical perception of Iranian women as voiceless victims in a country of villains. She follows with a lively critique of the recent best-seller ""Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books"", which epitomizes what Keshavarz calls the ""New Orientalist narrative,"" a view marred by stereotype and prejudice more often tied to current geopolitical conflicts than to an understanding of Iran. Blending in firsthand glimpses of her own life - from childhood memories in 1960s Shiraz to her present life as a professor in America - Keshavarz paints a portrait of Iran depicting both cultural depth and intellectual complexity. With a scholar's expertise and a poet's hand, she helps amplify the powerful voices of contemporary Iranians and leads readers toward a deeper understanding of the country's past and present.

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9780807831090

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Reviews

Eye opening. . . . Keshavarz gives a rare glimpse into post-revolutionary Iran, showing that while there are a host of political problems and unresolved social issues, still literature, culture and Iranians' love of life and beauty are alive and well. <br>-- The Jordan Times

Extremely valuable as a personal testimony of [Keshavarz's] own experiences growing up in Iran and provides a counterbalance to Nafisi's dark portrayal of her life in Iran. . . . Important . . . because of its active participation in the debate about how Western views of Middle Eastern countries are colored by prejudice and stereotyping. <br> -- Middle East Journal

Author Information

FATEMEH KESHAVARZ is professor of Persian and comparative literature and chair of the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures at Washington University in St. Louis. She is author of four previous books, including Reading Mystical Lyric: The Case of Jalal Al-Din Rumi and a volume of poetry.

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