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Summary: Iran, in the eyes of a true observer
Review: Being an Iranian, I have never thought that describing the Iranian people would be an easy job. Alison Wearing has done an absolutely amazing, an accurate job in introducing this almost forgotten nation to the world. The book is extremely entertaining and funny. Makes all of us want to go on the same journey as she did.
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Summary: Focus on people
Review: Honeymoon in Purdah is an absorbing book. Rare are the travelogues that engage the reader to the point of practically living the experience. This writer has achieved it with apparent ease. Her main interest is people and she paints their portraits with masterly strokes. For most of us, who know Iran only as a bleak theocracy steeped in fanatical fundamentalism, Alison Wearing's book allows us to discover variety of warm-hearted people whose eagerness to please strangers, even political enemies, sometimes brings tears to reader's eyes. Although many of them come across as amiable goofs, the hardships of Iranian life are leaking through every encounter. Iran is a many-faceted society and I believe that the author managed to show us the majority of its aspects. A thoroughly enjoyable and edifying read. Thank you, Alison Wearing, for taking me along with you!
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Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I am married to an Iranian and we spent 3 weeks in Iran just past March. I was amaized how much my own impressions of this country corresponded with the author of this book. She was able to catch and comunicate in her book the character of Iran and its people so well!
I highly recommend this book! You are up for a very pleasant journey!
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Summary: There are so many better books on the subject
Review: I eagerly picked up this book as I do all books on the subject of women in the middle east. I generally devour these books, squeezing every word for an inkling of what it might be like over there. Honeymoon in Purdah was painful to read from the beginning.I could never shake the feeling that the author was lying to me. It's not that I doubt the reality of circumstances she describes in Iran; I've read everyone from Betty Mahmoody to Geraldine Brooks on the subject of the middle east. It's that I doubt Alison Wearing's storytelling ability. Every story seemed filtered through a bad, Euro-centric sense of humor. In trying to get a laugh, she ends up patronizing the reader, trying to set us up for a joke that isn't funny to begin with. Her erradic style never focused on an intent, not even as The Observer, as some might argue. She couldn't seem to make up her mind whether this was a travelogue, a commentary on Iranian society, or her chance to show the world how clever she and her husband are. (The two-pages she spends recounting how she and her husband played "pretend" in the vacant villa by the sea were torturous.) Essentially, I doubt the veracity of the outcomes she often related. Perhaps she thought she was using a bit of comedic license, but in the end I felt she was irresponsibly misrepresenting herself, her experience, and a whole country. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has already done a certain amount of study on the subject. Perhaps as an introduction, although it would be a poor one that would never give the subject justice.
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Summary: NOT THE BIG DEAL YOU WOULD EXPECT
Review: I expected the adventures of these Canadian tourists, (Alison and Ian), to be a thrilling story, but ended up with a charred piece of meat. The story was poorly coordinated. Some earlier narrated issues, which were revived over and over again instigated boredom.
Also, the adventurers made no effort in detailing how a typical day in Iran looks like, instead they were exacerbating on how they took (unfair) adventage of their host's hospitality and trust.
In a nutshell, this is not the book to look for, if your interest is to know more about the Iranian culture. It is just a piece of volatile fun (for those thatit will amuse).
Not something that I would recommend with enthusiasm!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: I had been really looking forward to reading this book. I was sorely disappointed. I found Ms. Wearing's descriptions of her travels to be confused and highly repetitive. I actually found myself wondering if she was even telling truthful accounts. I also felt her behavior at certain points was out of line (jumping in the water in her chador) and disrespectful of Iranian culture. The cycle in this book is as follows: arrive at town, meet new person, take advantage of their hospitality, recall lengthy dialogues about Iranian revolution. I gathered very little information about Iran other than that its people are kind and generous, even to this seemingly undeserving Canadian tourist. I do look forward to reading more books on traveling in Iran, but hopefully better than this lousy one.
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Summary: Sorry for it to End.
Review: I have always been intrigued on what life is like in other places...how people live on a daily basis, etc. Wearing does such a beautiful job portraying the people of Iran..or at least the people she came in contact with. I was amazed at the hospitatlity of them all....you would be hard pressed to find that in the US. Makes me hunger for more books on the area. I highly recommend.
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Summary: A Pleasurable Read!!!
Review: I love this book! After reading typical Iranian stories about female abuse and slavery, I found Allison's story uplifting, honest and warm-hearted.
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Summary: Experience Iran
Review: I loved this book! Alison Wearing takes you to Iran, and that is simply not an exageration. From the beginning pages to the very end, you will feel that you are living her experiecne along side her. It has encouraged me to visit Iran for myself, and experience not only this beautiful coutnry but the lifestyle that Iranians live.
Alison Wearing describes what it is like to take a bus from city to city; her encounters with "average" Iranians; and the experience for her of wearing hejab for her entire stay. I found this book facinating. I can't say enough good things about this book, and how involved you will become while reading it.
Regardless of your interest in Iran or the middle east, this book is a must read.
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Summary: A Perfect Marriage- Beautiful Stories of Amazing People
Review: I loved this book! It is spellbinding & wonderous- I've never experienced any travel book so powerful. From start to finish it swept me away. I am a fan of travel stories and tales of women in other cultures so this book was perfect for me. Ms Wearing has written a book that makes you feel like you were there without having to rely on mere descriptions of physical surroundings. She shares with us the individuals of Iran, allowing us to see behind the curtain of Western propaganda. This really is a people-logue rather than travel-logue. I was entranced by the author's beautiful retellings of the many people she came across in her journey. Each one seemed so vivid & alive- I could see their faces & hear their voices. She meets people from all walks of life and ideological viewpoints. As I read the final chapters I was mentally shouting "Don't leave. Don't cross the border!" with tears in my eyes. I wished that the book could just go on & on. This was such a beautiful book worth ever dollar. I shall treasure my copy forever.
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