Persian Girls: A memoir

The cover is what drew me to this book. The last time I went to the library, I started in the Biographies section. Its strange to me that biographies are put into the fiction section, and though this is more of an autobiography... I guess it somewhat makes a small amount of sense as names had to be changed and timeline is probably minorly skewed so that people didn't get into trouble.
I do love the mirror image of the cover though along with the colors. It puts to mind sisters in a far off time.

Title: Persian Girls, A memoir
Author: Nahid Rachlin

My first critique of this book is that I really really really wish that the author had included a glossary. She uses many terms and words that are in Farsi, without proper context on to what they could mean. It made it hard to become accustomed to the story. (For me at least)

Mrs. Rachlin does make for a compelling writer, and makes feelings known throughout. I rather enjoyed reading about her family and her view on her life, but this is a genre I generally appreciate. I like the ability to see things from a different perspective that is equally valid. 

Her life story takes place from 1955-the 2000's but she tries to explain the ecopolitical circumstances in Iran and America of the varying years so that we may understand how drastically her life changed with these upheavals. This takes place around the same time as Persepolis (which I reviewed earlier in the year). Wasn't my favorite book of the new year so far but I may look into at least one of her other books. Just to see if there is a difference.

Between the two, (persepolis and persian girls) Persepolis was much easier to understand and follow. Though this may be that I am largely visual in my ability to understand and quantify.

Review for Persepolis: http://thelibraryofmixeddesires.blogspot.com/2016/12/persepolis.html

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Persian-Girls-Memoir-Nahid-Rachlin/dp/1585426237

ISBN: 1-58542-520-6

Gone to Amerikay

First off. I am pretty sure i'm going to acquire a copy of this book for myself at some point. This was unexpectedly great.


Title: GONE TO AMERIKAY
Author: Derek McCulloch
Artists: Colleen Doran and Jose Villarrubia

This book is drawn in a style that I very much adore. It tells not one story, but three separate tales in separate time periods that intertwine within the bounds of linear time. Set within the bounds of New York. 

One man  in 2010 is being led around by his wife on a wild goose chase looking for any remaining pieces of history.

One man in 1960 is looking for his big break, and on the way finds a ghost and a song and a story.

One woman in 1870 has made her way to America and is trying to start a new life in the land of opportunity while waiting for a husband that has promised to come soon.

All three show the nitty gritty of their respective time periods, and are quite realistic in what they share. These are not "pretty" stories where everything goes perfectly in the end with nothing bad at all in their pages. These are REAL feeling stories and do not shy away from very REAL topics such as poverty, homosexuality, prostitution, rape, and murder.

Not a book for children, but easily a book for young adults, though many parents probably not find it suitable. 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Amerikay-Derek-McCulloch/dp/1401223516

ISBN: 978-1-4012-2351-9