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ashleyozery's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this story - moreso at the end, although the style of past/future was interesting. Tiny sliver of a world I'd never really thought about, despite having Persian Jewish relatives.
mchristie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
abirademacher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
hannahfrancais's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Told through the present-tense memories of Mahboubeh, the story of her family's tragic history unfolds slowly, piece by piece. Perhaps due to this perspective, the characters are not developed far beyond the plot details, instead people and events are portrayed as remembered and imagined by Mahboubeh. I found it to be an exponentially engaging read; the more I read the more I wanted to find out about what happened to Rakhel, Asher, Khorsheed, and Kokeb. The story was a solemn reminder of patriarchal structures and attitudes that have long dominated and controlled the lives of women, and offered unique perspective on the life of a Persian Jewish family in the early 1900s.
beckylej's review against another edition
3.0
Asher Malacouti can't fully measure his own success until he fathers an heir. As such, his wife Rakhel finds herself increasingly fearful of her place and status in the home and in Asher's affection. Her desire to give birth to a son is a plague on her mind, one that soon pushes her to great lengths and is felt throughout the household and its history.
This was a tough read for a few reasons. First, the book is told from the perspective of one of the only remaining Malacouti family members as she faces her final years. The story transitions roughly from Mahboubeh's present to Rakhel's past numerous times and it becomes difficult sometimes to tell which "present" we're in.
Second, there's the subject matter and the issues facing women of the time and culture in which the story takes place. It's awful to consider and heart wrenching to read about. And it's based in part on the author's own family history, which makes it somewhat worse.
That said, it's not like we can simply ignore this kind of reality. Nor can we honestly say that it's all relegated to history either. This is the kind of issue packed book that will likely bring about lots of discussion amongst book clubs. it's the kind of book that brings up lots of emotions on the part of readers, too. It's an uncomfortable read, sure, but one that brings up lots of thought worthy topics.
This was a tough read for a few reasons. First, the book is told from the perspective of one of the only remaining Malacouti family members as she faces her final years. The story transitions roughly from Mahboubeh's present to Rakhel's past numerous times and it becomes difficult sometimes to tell which "present" we're in.
Second, there's the subject matter and the issues facing women of the time and culture in which the story takes place. It's awful to consider and heart wrenching to read about. And it's based in part on the author's own family history, which makes it somewhat worse.
That said, it's not like we can simply ignore this kind of reality. Nor can we honestly say that it's all relegated to history either. This is the kind of issue packed book that will likely bring about lots of discussion amongst book clubs. it's the kind of book that brings up lots of emotions on the part of readers, too. It's an uncomfortable read, sure, but one that brings up lots of thought worthy topics.
nicoletort's review against another edition
3.0
Read (listened to) it in one day. Enjoyable, may have been suspenseful if I had paced it out more. Interesting premise & setting, though I don't think the framing narrative added much. It would have been stronger told straight through.
atschakfoert's review against another edition
3.0
A very Shakespearean story. None of the characters really developed for me. They all fell flat. Even though the novel is less than 300 pages, it felt much longer due to the repetitiveness of the story and the dull characterization. Too bad because there just aren't a ton of popular novels set in Iran these days.
jhamel's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, engrossing read about women trying to cope in extremely limiting conditions. I agree with other reviewers that at times, the transition from Maboubeh's present-day experience to her family's history was confusing, but I think that reflected the old woman's confusion at that stage in her life. As such, it added to the story. Loved the metaphor of her present-day garden, and the memories of all the girls in the garden of her youth. That element added a lot of depth and beauty to what otherwise could have been only a harrowing tale.
While some of the characters felt difficult to relate to from my privileged and free experience, I thought their different responses to the suffering they experienced was amazing and believable.
While some of the characters felt difficult to relate to from my privileged and free experience, I thought their different responses to the suffering they experienced was amazing and believable.
spennock's review against another edition
5.0
The Girl from the Garden is a beautifully written book that tells the story of a Jewish Persian family living in Iran in the early twentieth century. The remembrances of the surviving daughter, now an old woman, weave past and present together seamlessly. A portrait is painted of the role of women in Iran at this time and the yearning need to produce an heir.