Some readers will, no doubt find this an enticing novel; however, I am not one of them. The storyline to me seemed ponderous with characters that seemed to be cardboard. The topic deserves attention and I suspect that it does provide insight into Iranian experiences in America. Unfortunately is was not appealing to me.

Mt star rating reflects my personal tastes and should not be taken to condemn the topic or author. It is just my personal reading preferences. Others will, no doubt enjoy it; I do have to say that I learned a good deal of the author's viewpoint about the inner workings of these families.

While I was interested in the story and made it to the end, this book wasn't really a great fit for me. I didn't particularly connect with Mitra, and thought. other characters in the book were more sympathetic. Maybe the tale from another's POV would have worked for me?

This was a large, sprawling family drama that revealed information about Mitra's dead sister and the family over time.. But, thank you NetGalley for the ARC,

3.5 Stars

I didn't particularly enjoy this book. I personally found Mitra to be very unlikable and had it not been for the POV changes throughout, I don't think I would have been able to finish it. I did enjoy the plot and felt it was a great exploration of grief and the long lasting effects of sexual assault but I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was from Shireen or Olga's perspective.

Interesting look at family dynamics, history, and redemption. I was captivated by the story and the sad events of the main character's life (and those of her family members as well). I was a bit frustrated by her actions at times, but they seemed true-to-life, while still making for an interesting read. As a teacher, I think that young people will do well to read a novel like this one, where modern history is woven into the interesting and relatable narrative.

A beautiful, imaginative story that centers on one family but is really about so much more. The historical context of Iran and rich experiences of the characters and their struggles and triumphs made this a great read, perfect for a book club.