Rating: 
Summary: An open-minded outsider views a misunderstood world
Review: This is absolutely one of the most unbiased, open-minded "outsider" views on modern-day Iran that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Alison Wearing went into Iran with an open mind and an open heart, and a double dollop of tenacity and courage. She emerges a person who has viewed the country the news media doesn't want us to see. This is the country of total strangers who invite you to stay and dine at their house; of people who are concerned with whether you find the restrictions of their country pleasant or stifling; and, the story of other ex-patriots who have made their home in this land, and how they view it as outsiders who have become insiders, as much as possible.There are fascinating stories in this book, including the author's day spent escaping the stifling heat of the city with nomads in the mountains, including a 12-year old girl who is married but unable to consummate the marriage since she hasn't finished puberty. In Shiraz, Wearing meets a British woman who is raising her teenaged daughter with her Iranian husband. She bemoans her nieces in England who are struggling with teenage pregnancies, while her daughter is getting straight A's and planning for college. Not every story is positive, including the incident on the bus to Syria, which raises Wearing's ire. But, people are people no matter where you go. And, the majority of people she meets are a far cry from what anyone would expect. I highly recommend this book, and have loaned my copy to several people so far. It tells things I experienced as the wife of an Iranian in that country, but is even more interesting because Alison Wearing is truly viewing this world as an observer.
Rating:
Summary: journey to enlightenment
Review: Wearing's remarkable sense of humour and love for the human race make this book a must-read. Especially at a time when North American's perspective of Middle Easterners is tainted by the sensationalist media, Honeymoon in Purdah is a refreshing unbiased view of Iranian culture and life. Unlike so many ethnocentric North Americans, Wearing views people as people, and because of this the reader is able to appreciate the foibles and intricacies of humanity in general.
Rating: 
Summary: Not that great after all..!
Review: Well, I bought this book with the intention of knowing more about the Iranian culture and the country itself. But it was not to be.The chapters are disconnected, repititive and very boring.. Should be more careful with the reviews...
Rating: 
Summary: The most enjoyable travel memoir I've read in years.
Review: When all your information about the Middle East has come from the news, it's so enlightening to read about the real humanity of the people of Iran. I'm going to recommend this book to my teenager's history teacher and if I knew George Bush, I'd recommend it to him as well.
Rating: 
Summary: No, No, No
Review: When I first saw this book I thought it would be a delightful travel monlogue with a lot of good writting, new sights and sounds and a fresh perspective into a country that has long mystified me. What I got for my money was a dull political diatribe against the western world. Granted Iran has received plenty of bad press but this author seemed determined to drum that point home at every opportunity. I found her attitude that all of the folks she met were good and loving people who she should trust with her life to be very distrubing. She showed an amazing lack of commen sense and put herself into life-threatening siutations (playing cards with a drug dealer!) with out any thought of the consequences. I am most sorry that I recommended this book to my book club. I am lucky I escaped with scalp.
| 
