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sarahmareacarr's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful story, good writing and lots of relevance to Egypt.
Also his interrogator's obsession with New Jersey is hilarious.
Also his interrogator's obsession with New Jersey is hilarious.
ailil's review against another edition
5.0
I am really interested in Iran Politic & Culture, and read a lot of article of it, This book really opened my eyes , not only about Iran History, Poet, Food, Culture & Politics, but also about Shia Islam & Sunni Islam. This book also help me understand relationship between Islamic Republic, West and Middle East, propaganda, and of course life in prison.
elibriggs's review against another edition
4.0
insider account from journalist targeted by Iranian regime. it will be interesting to compare the book with the movie directed by Jon Stewart.
leigh_loves_books's review against another edition
4.0
An incredible and insightful narrative. Bahari seamlessly weaves his story of imprisonment with historical context and the stories of his family and youth. Very well written and eye opening. He talks about the awful things he experienced without bitterness or resentment but candidly, honestly and with a lot of thoughtful consideration for all involved.
martha_schwalbe's review against another edition
4.0
For those students who are sophisticated readers and have an interest in other cultures, even if it is life in an Iranian prison, this book is a good read.
Bahari presents an informative overview about the government in Iran since the US supported shah was ousted. He also covered quite a bit of history since 1959 up to the 2009 elections. I struggle to think how many political prisoners experience the same abuse, yet we do not know their names or stories.
This book reminded me in many ways of Princess of Tehran because of the survival tactics the prisoners used to keep themselves sane. I wished I had a copy of the second book as I read; were both of them in the same prison?
The beatings are very brutal and the mood is dark and depressed so this is not a book for the faint of heart. It is definitely an inspirational story.
Bahari presents an informative overview about the government in Iran since the US supported shah was ousted. He also covered quite a bit of history since 1959 up to the 2009 elections. I struggle to think how many political prisoners experience the same abuse, yet we do not know their names or stories.
This book reminded me in many ways of Princess of Tehran because of the survival tactics the prisoners used to keep themselves sane. I wished I had a copy of the second book as I read; were both of them in the same prison?
The beatings are very brutal and the mood is dark and depressed so this is not a book for the faint of heart. It is definitely an inspirational story.
daralexandria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Rape and Antisemitism
Minor: Pregnancy
lovelifeandbeyond's review against another edition
5.0
Going through an awful ordeal in an Iranian prison because of super-paranoid authorities, he writes about his life, life in Iran, and his imprisonment and torture keeping his sense of humour intact. At some points you want to tear your hair out in frustration at the ignorance and audacity of the authorities, but mostly you feel saddened that this is reality for so many people.
auntiecassie's review against another edition
4.0
Wow
I have a lot of feelings after finishing this book! It made me cry on more than one occasion and I laughed. It sheds light that not everyone is free to read or watch whatever like here in America. My heart truly breaks for these people as they try and reform their country.
I have a lot of feelings after finishing this book! It made me cry on more than one occasion and I laughed. It sheds light that not everyone is free to read or watch whatever like here in America. My heart truly breaks for these people as they try and reform their country.
jdoetsch's review against another edition
4.0
This book basically told me that things here in America could be worse. They're getting worse, but they could be a lot worse still. It also reminded me why religion should in no way be involved in government.
booksaremyjam's review against another edition
3.0
I give Bahari a lot of credit for his bravery. Writing this book meant potentially putting loved ones in danger. Reliving the time in prison must have been difficult, and one can feel the pain in his narration as he ruminates over how this has changed his feelings toward his country and his place in the world.
That being said: I wanted more.
Is that cold and callous of me? Have the years of vying for headshots in Xbox games ruined me? No, I don't think that's what is it.
As I said before, one can feel Bahari's pain still fresh from being released. As such, I think it was extremely difficult for him to get into the fine details of his life in prison. Whenever he flirts with the true reality of his situation, the narrator reverts to speaking with the ghosts of his father and sister. Whenever he begins a session with Rosewater, he focuses not on the thoughts of his own mind, but rather pities the man who is torturing him. I get it, really I do. But I read this book in the hopes of having the survivor narrative revealed to me. Instead, this book represented a watered down and removed chronicle of prisons in Iran. It felt formal, it felt clouded, it felt removed.
One can understand this as a defense mechanism, and of course I am not demanding that Bahari rip back open the wounds that have only just begun to scab. However, if he decided to take on the endeavor of such a difficult book, shouldn't he do all he can to illustrate, in painful detail, what is happening in Iran? So that we can do something to help? So that we know the absolute truth.
At least, that's what I had hoped for. I suppose we'll just have to see what Mr. Stewart does with it.
That being said: I wanted more.
Is that cold and callous of me? Have the years of vying for headshots in Xbox games ruined me? No, I don't think that's what is it.
As I said before, one can feel Bahari's pain still fresh from being released. As such, I think it was extremely difficult for him to get into the fine details of his life in prison. Whenever he flirts with the true reality of his situation, the narrator reverts to speaking with the ghosts of his father and sister. Whenever he begins a session with Rosewater, he focuses not on the thoughts of his own mind, but rather pities the man who is torturing him. I get it, really I do. But I read this book in the hopes of having the survivor narrative revealed to me. Instead, this book represented a watered down and removed chronicle of prisons in Iran. It felt formal, it felt clouded, it felt removed.
One can understand this as a defense mechanism, and of course I am not demanding that Bahari rip back open the wounds that have only just begun to scab. However, if he decided to take on the endeavor of such a difficult book, shouldn't he do all he can to illustrate, in painful detail, what is happening in Iran? So that we can do something to help? So that we know the absolute truth.
At least, that's what I had hoped for. I suppose we'll just have to see what Mr. Stewart does with it.