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There are currently 39 member reviews
for In the Time of Our History
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Diane J. (Grove City, PA)
Set in a Specific Time - Yet Timeless Family Story
Susanne Pari crafted a beautiful immigrant family story that drew me in and kept me captivated. I felt I was witnessing an unraveling of an artful web of multiple viewpoints and history. The story effortlessly describes each character's contribution or thread in that web. I felt emotionally invested in each angle of the various dynamics and family relationships, such as the push and pull of the bond between sisters, the strong love between mother and daughter, and the love-hate struggle of a patriarchal father-daughter duo. I also felt that the pacing of the story was on target, giving just enough time and detail to easily gain perspective and enough momentum to keep the reader compelled and engaged.
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Rebecca H. (Bolton, CT)
In the Time of Our History by Susanne Pari
A beautifully written, character-driven gem of a novel, this is one of those stories that makes you sad when you reach the last page because you just aren't ready to let the characters go yet.
The displacement and the sense of not belonging anywhere common to immigrants are explored here, but the main focus is on the multi-generational family relationships within a large Iranian immigrant family. Cultural clashes and misunderstandings among immigrant parents and children raised in America, cousins, aunts, and uncles make up the meat of this novel. The oppression of women and of minorities in two countries, Iran and the United States of America, is also explored throughout the narrative. The relationships, particularly among the female characters, are depicted with tenderness and unflinching honesty. The action shifts in time from the 1970's to the present, now focusing on one set of characters and relationships, and then another. The characters are fully-fleshed and real, and the repercussions of certain decisions and attitudes sound down the generations.
I highly recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction and multicultural literature.
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Stephanie K. (Plano, TX)
An artful storyteller
I really enjoyed this book! Suzanne Pari does an artful job of storytelling. This book was a page-turner for me. As new information and characters are revealed, the reader is drawn into the lives and family drama of a group of immigrants from Iran and their families. The main character, Mitra, is learning to live with the loss of her sister, niece, and nephew. The journey she takes to learn about herself and look to the future is filled with well-developed characters and life lessons for all.
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Karna B. (Long Beach, CA)
Cultural Demands
What a compelling read. Characters so well-developed while providing the reader with political and cultural information related to Iran. Plus, the push and pull that immigrants experience as they try to assimilate was well demonstrated. Two major themes - role of women and clash of culture. Great book.
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Judith C. (Lake Oswego, OR)
In the Time of Our History
In a very few words: I loved this book. I couldn't put it down and was sorry it ended. I wanted to spend more time with the Iranian-American Jahani family. I learned much about the family's experience as immigrants and about their customs. I believe it would be a great choice for book clubs.
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Elizabeth V. (Bellbrook, OH)
In the Time of Our History
I loved this book. The themes of family, culture. loss and exile were so beautifully handled, and the characters are realistically portrayed yet handled with compassion for their faults and weaknesses. The female characters in particular who show their strength and resilience in such individual ways, are very finely drawn. Anahita, who we only see through the eyes of her loved ones, Mitra, and Shireen will stay with me for a long time.
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Alyce T. (San Antonio, TX)
Must Read
I love this book. It is a page turner and I read it in 1 1/2 days. Susanne Pari writes an interesting story of the Johani family that fled Iran after the fall of the Shah. Mitra, a 1st generation American, comes alive in these pages. Her relationship with traditions of Iran and the US culture are similar to age old generation problems. You can relate to all of the individuals in the family. I hope that author writes a sequel as I would like to learn more of their lives.
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