Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully written and full of insight
Review: Professor Nafisi dishes the dirt on life in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Apparently it is not a fun place to live; women lost many rights that they had previously enjoyed during the Shah's reign. The author describes how Ayatollah Khomeini attempted to remake Iran and it's citizens into a fantasy society from his own imagination; a dark, drab place obsessed with sex, yet stripped of all forms of beauty. Unfortunately, his fantasy had to be maintained by a brutal police force specializing in humiliating and disrespecting women with constant inspections for make-up, nail polish and other things "unislamic" and punishable by floggings, fines and imprisonment (women are seen as sex objects and forced to cover everything but their hands and faces so men will not be distracted by thoughts of sex). Nafisi describes the daily struggles she and her pupils endured just to hold onto their own identities and their sanity. Literature was both their escape and their inspiration. This is a heart-breaking story of people yearning for freedom of thought, expression and movement, yet surrounded by death, censorship and oppression. However, there is some light, finally at the end of the tunnel as some of them manage to flee to other lands. This book would make a great movie!
Rating:
Summary: Perfection for anyone who loves literature
Review: I just finished "Reading Lolita in Tehran" which I have been engrossed in for several days. My first reaction is sadness that I have finished it. My second is to start reading all those canonical authors that I have managed to neglect over the years. This is a beautifully written book about literature and the transforming effect it can have on people's lives, even in extremely dire circumstances (such as in Iran for the past 20 years). It's also the story of several thoughtful, feeling, fully unique individuals who have lived through and coped with experiences most of us can barely contemplate. I am floored by the author's command of language and ideas. I have already recommended it to several people. Were I ever to meet the author, I would thank her for writing this story, and giving life to the lives she has chronicled.
Rating: 
Summary: A Thought Provoking Adventure!
Review: I just read this book with my book group. It was one of the highest rated books among the group. On a scale of 1-5, it averaged a 4. As a group, we previously felt ignorant about what was going on in Iran over the last 20 some years. This book took us on an adventure that taught us so much about Iran and the people of Iran during those times. We found the various points of view and criticisms of the literature fascinating. I personally felt stimulated and inspired to want to read or re-read all the works of fiction discussed and also to learn more about Iran and the Iranian people. We all also agreed that the book was full of wonderful bits of wisdom (so get out your highlighter!) from Azar Nafisi herself. The one consistent criticism from the readers in my book group, however, was that at times the book gets confusing when Azar Nafisi goes back and forth in time (the reason some members didn't give it a 5). Also, a few of us felt that we really didn't get to know her "girls" well enough...and we wanted to! I personally think, to get the most out of Reading Lolita in Tehran, it is important to take your time to read it so that you can truly absorb what Nafisi is sharing with the readers. We had a memorable book group meeting due to our guest of honor...an Iranian woman. She was extremely generous in sharing Iranian culture and traditions with us. She also brought us books, traditional Iranian foods, a robe and a few scarves that she put on for us that she wears on her return visits, and her fascinating insights. Lucky me, I just happen to meet her at a park with my children one day! Near the end of our meeting we had Turkish coffee with Persian pastries and concluded by taking guesses at our fortunes in the dregs in our cups (they drink Turkish coffee and eat pastries during their classes and Manna and Azin-2 of the "Nafisi's girls"-tell their fortunes from the dregs). Thank you for this treasure Azar Nafisi!
Rating: 
Summary: Tainted by elitism
Review: I greatly looked forward to this much-hyped book, but after the first chapters, found it easy to put down. Those who love Henry James are sure to like this book, but it was spoiled for me by a wholly unacknowledged elitism masquerading as universal truth.
What do I mean? Azin adores what one might call "the snobby authors": Austen, James, Nabokov, those who are not only above the rabble, but often don't even acknowledge its existence! One can read through Azin's book from cover to cover and never think there are any poor people in Tehran. The lowest point for me was when she said she felt "utter contempt" for a student who preferred a Gorky character to a character in Austen. One does, unfortunately, occasionally encounter literature professors who honestly believe their own perspective is the only valid one, but it's a very very odd argument for the democracy and imaginative freedom Azin claims to support passionately. Apparently we are only free to draw the same conclusions she does. She is patronizing and disdainful towards Steinbeck but makes the most ludicrous defenses of Austen (I happen to enjoy Austen; I came to enjoy Austen after initially finding her snobbery too unbearable but that snobbery is so close to Azin's own view, aparently, that it is invisible to her) claiming that we can see passion in the very absence of passion.
Although it was sobering and illuminating to witness the price that even sheltered upper-class women have to pay under an Islamist theocracy, one understands all too well after reading Azin's book why, by and large, feminism failed to move beyond the privileged to engage working class women.
Rating:
Summary: Complex and Moving!
Review: I read this book for a variety of reasons and I was rewarded on every level. It gave me insight into the world of Islamic Fundamentalism through the lives of some of the women who are forced to live according to its tenets; it increased my understanding of an important historical movement; it gave me some wonderful and nuanced insights into some favorite works of literature; and I was able to share the author's growth through very tumultuous times. This memoir is beautifully and suspensefully written--one really comes to care deeply about these brave women. Questions of courage and indentity are at the core of this book--how does one relate to a repressive regime without effacing oneself? This book is a journey that illuminates some of the conflicts at the core of our current age. I encourage you to read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Please Read!
Review: Dear Readers, I have already posted my opinion about this book with the title of " experiences of a Persian girl". Yup, im persian and I was born and raised in Iran, the Iran after revolution. I strongly disagree with Dr. Nafisi in regards to her opinion or some of her statements about Iran and its situations. I mean come on, I was there and i have seen it for myself for 18 years. At some point she talks about Iranian TV, and here comes my anger! she said that "Around the World in 80 days" was not displayed in iran because one of the characters, the lion, was british and Iranian government didnt like that so they didnt display that cartoon... I LOVED this cartoon and I recall that each year, the Iranian TV showed this cartoon during summer!!! and really really loved it.. or pink panther, TOm & Jerry... and so on. IRanian TV did display many Western cartoons and movies...now why did Dr. Nafisi said a different thing? I wrote a paper about her book and about the stereotypes of iran and iranians. I think when a non-iranian reads this book, they get a different picture of iran and iranian society. I believe that's how some stereotypes originate. We were allowed to read western literature. A friend of mine loved reading novels. I remember she always spent her money on books. Of course she had to buy a translation. this reveals that the government of iran did allow the publication and distribution of western books. Also, I recall that we did not HAVE TO wear black robes. I had different colors and styles of robes. it was sorta in fashion. or i didnt have to wear my scarf near my house esp. during summer time riding our bikes or playing football. Dear readers, please if you have the same idea about this book or even if you disagree with me and you are willing to discuss this friendly, I will appreciate it if you contact me: calm_princess100@yahoo.com. Iwould love to hear you and get more feedback about my paper as well. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: excellent read
Review: this is an amazing book. it is a little academic at times, but Nafisi is like one of those english professors who makes you change the way you think, so the analysis she brings into the book is not overpowering. Moreover, it informs her life. The book is subtitled "A memoir in books" and indeed she uses different novels to elucidate and comment on her life. I especially enjoyed reading her analysis of Gatsby and how it relates to life in Iran. Furthermore, there is a sense of immediacy to this book, which forces you to read it without stopping. Even though we know the end, that Nafisi will do well and move to America and enjoy more freedom, we can't help but be swept up in the motion of life in Iran, that discontinuous, harsh, brazen life she so (aptly ?) describes. More than a story about a book club (which is the impression one gets from the cover) it is in fact a detailed account of the Islamic Revolution told from the eyes of the intelligentsia. OVerall it's an excellent book and provocative enough that it might make you appreciate literature more...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Style
Review: Excellent style of writing,a story that captures your attention and holds it. I am a fan of Non Fiction works, Particularly that of Memoirs-Autobiographies. This book is meaty and hard to put down. Other Non Fiction works that have caught my attention are- Running With Scissors,One Child and Nightmares Echo
Rating:
Summary: A literary tour-de-force
Review: Azar Nafisi's memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran, is the sort of book you should pick up if you want to assure yourself of how well-read you are, or perhaps to remind yourself that you are not well read at all. In the back of Ms. Nafisi's book is a list of recommended reading, some of which deals with Iran, but much of which is the fiction about which she writes in the book. Having only read some of the novels about which Ms. Nafisi writes, I don't think I can adequately discuss the literary criticism woven throughout the book. The story of the book club itself is often not the main focus, as Ms. Nafisi gives a crash course in Iranian revolutionary history and delves into her personal life as well as that of the women in her book club. The combination of the three is an intriguing and potent conceit; learning how everyday life in Iran affects these women is compelling and evocative. Intertwined with commentary and comparison of some of the great books of western literature makes it even more so. It would be had to say that one does not learn one thing, if not many things, from this book. Certainly it inspires you to read some of the books Ms. Nafisi writes about, if only to re-read the book and access a new level of understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Classical Celebration
Review: <br />Through turmoil, heartbreak and heartache comes the courageous and celebrated life of women. This will be one of the classics that will be handed down through the generations to come. A beautifully written and prolific book for all to read. <br />Other reads are: Nightmares Echo by Katlyn Stewart,A Paper Life by Tatum O'Neil <br />
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