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There are currently 39 member reviews
for In the Time of Our History
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Carrie M. (Rahway, NJ)
In the Time of Our History Susanne Pari
A multilayer story inspired by the author's family experiences following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, In the Time of Our History tells the story of an American Iranian family, and their love for and frustrations with one another. The family has continued to embrace the richness of ancient and modern Persian history, and the novel's focus is on the traditional Iranian "One Year" remembrance after the death of her younger, more obedient sister, Anahita. Reluctantly, the older sister Mitra returns home for the occasion, but is not acknowledged by her traditionalist father Yusuf.
The blending of family traditions, acceptance, love, expectations against personal goals, and frustrations adds dimensions and cliffhangers to the evolving story—one in which the reader does not completely know all the answers until the very end. Mitra, one of the primary characters, defies expectations of arranged marriage and is living an independent life in San Francisco, where she supports the Iranian immigrant community, rather than in New Jersey with the rest of the family. But even in New Jersey there are family tensions. Even after all the years in this country, her father Yusuf believes the family should listen to him and go by his rules. His wife Shireen is at first obedient, but Yusuf's lack of empathy even after the death of his daughter has caused her to rethink her beliefs and position.
The book is rich in context, and captivates the reader through to the end. There are surprises in the plot. Moral issues arise for the characters, and many are discussed fully and frankly. An array of supporting characters adds to the understanding of how new American citizens and refugees find and adjust to life in this country, as they are supported by Mitra and her family as they adjust and in more difficult times.
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Emily C. (Naples, FL)
Perfect Read for Weeks in the Dark
When Hurricane Ian struck Florida, the power was out and destruction reigned everywhere. It was a perfect time to occupy myself, using a flashlight, to read IN THE TIME OF OUR HISTORY by Susanne Pari. This is a fast paced story of an Iranian-American family caught between the pull of the traditional Iranian culture and the pull of the modern American culture. Mitra is the sister who rebels against the traditional ways of her parents and struggles to become "a girl who wanted to be as free as a boy in choosing her future". In this struggle Mitra finds that her life lacks balance, but, at the same time, she realizes that "living" required a purpose. She finds that purpose in both her professional life and in her mentoring of Sali, a young pregnant Iranian woman.
The themes included in this novel make it ripe for discussion: the oppression of women; the oppression of minorities; sexual abuse; generational conflicts within families; and the cultural conflicts experienced by immigrants in a new land.
As one who experienced such cultural conflicts within my own immigrant family, I was drawn to this book in a personal way. I found comfort in a profound statement made my Goli toward the end of the book: "Sister, we are all Americans-all of us from an elsewhere that only exists in memory".
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Julia A. (New York, NY)
A Compelling History
Perhaps the immigrant group I know the least about is that of the Iranians who came to the United States after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This novel gave me insights into the world that they forged for themselves as they raised their U.S.-born children and adapted as best they could to the new reality, while attempting to preserve elements of their culture. One could argue that such struggle is common to all immigrant groups, but it must be recognized that each group has its own twist on this struggle. In Pari's novel, by focusing mostly on the women, the author helps us to see that the one aspect of the Iranian story is that the women aren't used to having independence. In fact, at one point toward the end of the novel, Shireen tells Mitra, "…forgive me, but I was not raised in a world where this kind of life for a woman was possible. And I did not have the imagination to see it." (p.295) "This kind of life," is that of a strong independent woman who can choose not to marry, or who can stand up to her husband if she does marry. As the Jahani family deals with tragedy, sexual abuse, and interpersonal conflict, the reader comes to see that family dynamics have across ethnicities are more similar than they are different. I look forward to more books by Susanne Pari and am grateful to her for giving me a vehicle to see into a world with which I was only minimally familiar.
The discussion questions included at the end of the book will, I'm sure, be helpful to book clubs.
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Patricia S. (Chicago, IL)
Iranian Immigrants' Families
I found this book to be rich in atmosphere and full of sympathetic characters. As the granddaughter of refugees to the US the large family gathering scenes are absolutely spot on. I have aunties just like them! Although I did not find Mitra's reason for her sterilization once that part of the book was over, I found Mitra completely believable and sympathetic. Hidden family secrets, patriarchy and nepotism, and the modern American women's ideas mix together in a realistic situation at the 1year anniversary of her sister's death. Susanne Pari writes excellent characters, ones that I would love to meet in person. The revolution in Iran serves as a background to the family's immigration and their individual difficulties in adapting to the US are informative. And on top of this, it's a very engrossing book, hard to put down. Recommended for those who are interested in fiction concerning immigrants and Iranian family life
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Marion M. (Mishawaka, IN)
Family Secrets, Family Conflicts
Can one be modern and traditional at the same time? The multigenerational Johani family of Iranian immigrants has family members who are trying to adapt and assimilate to their new lives in the United States. The main character Mitti is a thoroughly modern second generation immigrant; her patriarchal immigrant father who is a successful property developer has thoroughly Iranian traditional values, morals, and ethics. Then there are a multitude of other characters who are struggling between modern and traditional, all having secrets. Pari does an excellent job creating and developing interesting characters who we learn about not just through action and conversation but through mental tussles over tradition, modernity, feelings. It's the strong character development and insight into the Iranian mind that make the book an interesting read. The role of women, the role of marriage, the role of sexuality are investigated. Look for conflictions and entanglements. To get additional insight in the Iranian immigrant experience without as much emphasis on implication of sexuality, compare this title with the older Funny in Farsi: a Memoir of Growing up Iranian in American by Firoozeh Dumas (Random, 2003) or Lipstick Jihad : a Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America and American in Iran by Azadeh Moaveni (Public Affairs, 2005).
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Doris K. (Mountain Iron, MN)
In the Time of Our History
This is the story of an Iranian family in America. Although the main character, Mitra, was born in the United States her family held on to many aspects of the Iranian culture. Besides being a good story the reader will learn multiple characteristics of the Iranian people who are often unfairly judged.
At first I had a hard time relating to Mitra's behavior, especially towards her younger sister Anahita. However as the story progresses the author does well developing the depth of the persons in the book particularly Mitra and her mother,Shireen.
This book would make an excellent choice for a book club discussion. The various characters and their behaviors would challenge many and bring up differences of opinion which make these meetings worthwhile.
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Carolyn S. (Kennesaw, GA)
In the Time of Our History
This book chronicles the lives of an Iranian immigrant family and how their lives change over generations. It reads like it could be any immigrant family's experience so at times feels redundant.
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