Ruins
by Terence Donoghue
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Pub Date Mar 13 2015 | Archive Date Feb 29 2016
Description
March 1976: The Shah rules Iran with an iron fist, but opposition to his regime is simmering in the mosques and bazaars. Walt Tierney, a itinerant young American, wanders into the ancient city of Isfahan. Entranced by its tattered beauty, Walt decides to stay, unaware that two years later he'll be caught up in the violence that overthrows the Shah.
Ruins interweaves stories, characters, and history into a colorful and authentic portrait of Iran as its revolution is gathering force. It chronicles Walt's adventures and misadventures, his love affairs and personal battles, while it charts his growing understanding of Iranians and their history. Things reach a crisis when another American betrays Walt's best friend, an Iranian, to the Shah's secret police. Walt exacts a bloody revenge and then, while violent riots are breaking out around him, must flee Iran. The novel explores how belief in America the exceptional could have played a role in the Iranian Revolution.
About the author: Terence Donoghue recently retired from Apple, Inc. to devote himself to writing fiction. Ruins is his first novel. It is based on his experiences in Isfahan, Iran between March 1976 and May 1978. Mr. Donoghue lives in San Mateo, California, with his wife Debra and (occasionally) his two grown sons, Ethan and Bryan. He enjoys fly-fishing and hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and likes the occasional glass of single-malt Scotch whiskey.
A Note From the Publisher
Keywords: Iran, Revolution, Shah, Seventies, Isfahan, Ruins, History, American, Civilizations, Adventure
Advance Praise
No Advance Praise Available
No Advance Praise Available
Marketing Plan
eBook,Print
eBook,Print
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781622878550 |
| PRICE | $6.99 (USD) |
Average rating from 3 members
Featured Reviews
Ann G, Educator
An interesting read dealing with a young traveller and Iran pre- Revolution and the lives of the men working for an American Company. It gives a vivid insight into the authoritarian rule of the Shah and his secret police, and the arbitrariness of his rule. It also gives a beautiful description of the country and the customs that foreigners are to follow whilst rsident there. The contrast of the American student at the centre of the story and his counterpart who he is training at the company illustrates the wide gap between their countries. His romance fails due to his lack of understanding and that also highlights how he underates what is happening to the country too. The way the country has been governed under tyranny and how the Westernisation of citizens is treated gives a real feeling of the times. A well crafted novel.
alyce c, Reviewer
RUINS by Terence Donoghe is an extraordinary read on every level. It is wonderfully written with intrigue, a great story and interesting characters with depth. The fact that it is supposed to be loosely based upon the author's own exploits while traveling and working in Persia makes it all the more interesting.
The story takes place in 1976. The Shah is ruling Iran with the help of Savak (read: the secret police that myseriously disappear people who speak ill of the the Shah's regime). Even with the eternal threat of SAVAK, opposition to the Shah's rule is bubbling up amongst the people. Walt Tierney, a young American traveler, appears on the scene in the ancient city of Isfahan. Little does he know that his travels will abruptly take a pit stop in this broken but beautiful city, where he will find friendship, love, work and corruption.
This story is so mesmerizing because it seemlessly blends the characters and their stories with the history of the time and the power of the revolution. Walt experiences adventure, betrayal and violence as the revolution begins to reach a fever pitch and someone he cares about deeply is betrayed to the secret police with a blood on his hands literally and figuratively.
A great read. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing this advance digital copy for an unbiased and honest review. It is to be published March 13, 2016.
