Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran

Book Description

Shortly after the 1989 publication of Women Without Men in her native Iran, Shahrnush Parsipur was arrested and jailed for her frank and defiant portrayal of women's sexuality. Now banned in Iran, this small masterpiece was eventually translated into several languages and introduces U.S. readers to the work of a brilliant Persian writer. With a tone that is stark, and bold, Women Without Men creates an evocative allegory of life for contemporary Iranian women. In the interwoven -destinies of five women, simple situations-such as walking down a road or leaving the house-become, in the tumult of post-WW II Iran, horrific and defiant as women escape the narrow confines of family and society-only to face daunting new challenges.

Now in political exile, Shahrnush Parsipur lives in the Bay Area. She is the author of several short story collections including Touba and the Meaning of Night.

Customer Reviews:

awful, and overly emotional.......2007-02-04

The significance of this story in regards to the female as the victim is overly drawn out. The plot sounds quit interesting, indeed, since it includes different women from different backgrounds all ending up in the same garden with different destinies.
However, once you read the book, if you actually get to the end, you realize that Parsipur presented nothing but over dramatized symbolic emotional rubbish. This is what the west wants to hear about women of Iran, and that's what Parsipur wrote. Middle Eastern Men are evil, and women are weak sexually oppressed objects who get abused. That is her conclusion, not much more. Its really too bad.

A little gem!!!.......2001-05-09

Though I stumbled upon the novel by accident, I must admit this book was well worth finding. The stories were simply written but were almost deceivingly fully loaded-- full of conflicting values, political ideology and agendas, and societal turmoil. The compilation of separate women's lives, so different from one another, but joined together by a common thread, hearkens back to a similar style of tale-telling found in many other cultures, such as Amy Tan's novel 'The Joy Luck Club' and the popular film 'How to Make an American Quilt'. Rather than choosing to write a politicized essay or thesis which reaches only a certain segment of the educated and politically literate population, Parsipur chooses to write fiction, laced with raw truths and posessing a clear agenda.

Such tales are typical of the kind that are passed down from generation to generation in order to educate the young about their society's morals or possible pitfalls that may entrap those who stray from the accepted norm. This is not dissimilar from urban legends that adults in American society pass amongst themselves or the fairy tales laced with truths that young children are told before bedtime.

Sometimes the most volitile information is passed down and understood by the most simple or innocuous means, and I think that is a conscious choice that Parsipur has made with this book. She chooses to uncover the double standard that both male and female society is guilty of upholding, the notion of virginity (and the understanding of what it is and what it means), and socially-sanctioned ideas of morality, mortality, violence, and inter-gender relationships through stories that allow the reader to look at how different women deal with the society that they live in.

Because Parsipur does not clearly lay out a list of evils that Iranian society proportedly commits, nor does she specifically glorify other elements of her society, her writing raises many more questions for the reader to ponder. By making the problems personal for each woman, some of the issues that a reader would initally consider black and white suddenly turn grey, which in turn, leads to a greater depth of meaning in her work.

In sum, I was very impressed by the book's simplicity, and appreciative for the brief glimpse through the window to Iranian society that it offered.

delightful read.......2000-06-07

I am an avid reader of literature of the Middle East and I found Dr. Talattof and Jocelyn Sharlet's translation of Parsipur's Women Without Men to be a delightful read. I have suggested it to all my friends in Princeton and beyond. It is one of those books that reads quickly, but stays on the mind a long time. Parsipur touches upon issues that are of interest to men and women, 'Easterners' and 'Westerners' alike.

delightful read.......2000-06-07

I am a casual reader of literature from the Middle East and I have found a particular delight in this translation by Dr. Talattof's of Sharnush Parsipur's book, Women Without Men. I have suggested it to all my friends in Princeton and beyond.

Intriguing.......1999-01-29

Women without Men is another entry in the growing category of Iranian cultural exports to the U.S., and one of the best. Like the Cannes-winning film The White Balloon, Women without Men presents a much different view of Iranian life than readers might expect based on reports from the evening news--a nuanced, subtle, self-reflexive society much concerned with the role of art in both everyday life and in the turbulent cultural politics of the nation. The story of a group of diverse Iranian women who forge a brief-lived utopian society, Women without Men also addresses, in startling, beautiful prose, the lives of women in any modern society. The fact that these stories can be transposed to, and understood by, Americans, is one of the pleasant surprises of the book; this isn't just a novel for scholars, but for anyone looking for a story that's both entertaining and profound. And, the translators, one Iranian and one American, have done a fabulous job in rendering the Persian into lucid English. I give this book five stars because, even though it's a small book, as one of the very few first rate translations of contemporary Iranian literature, it should be at the top of the reading list for anyone interested in international writing.

Book Description

Trading houses.
Trading towns. Trading Christmas.

Emily Springer widowed mother of one, decides to leave her hometown of Leavenworth, Washington, to spend Christmas with her daughter in Boston.

Charles Brewster, history professor, seasoned curmudgeon and resident of Boston, wants to avoid Christmas altogether.

Through an Internet site, they arrange to swap houses for the holiday. So Emily goes to Boston--and discovers that her daughter has gone to Florida. And Charles arrives in Leavenworth to discover a town that looks like Santa's village, full of Christmas trees, Christmas music and elves.

Meanwhile, Emily's friend Faith Kerrigan travels to Leavenworth to visit her--and finds Charles the grouch. . .whose brother, Ray, shows up at Charles's place, to find Emily living there.

Through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, amid the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge in unexpected ways. Because when Christmas comes, so does love. . .

Customer Reviews:

Perfect as usual.......2007-01-05

Would I love to meet Debbie Macomber. I have enjoyed her books for over 15 years now. She never fails me and her books have it all; romance, wit and funny spots.

NO PASSION.......2006-12-31

The story was ok, the story was about 3 main couples, which I thought was too many, I like stories where there is only 1 couple and then maybe some backgound couples. The story had no passion, it went from couples meeting and at the end getting married, there was really no romance and no passion.

Loved It!.......2006-12-20

I just finished When Christmas Comes a few days ago and LOVED it. I can't remember the last time I read about such an engaging cast of characters which compelled me to return to their world every time I closed the book. I literally looked forward to every bit of quiet time I had so I could see what happened to the absent-minded professor, the somewhat jaded divorcee, the cheery Kindergarten teacher and the ultra-successful publisher when their worlds collide unexpectedly.

Although When Christmas Comes is "breezy" reading, it's not to say that the writing is merely passable. Unlike holiday novels from Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter, the characters, smells, environment, and emotions stay with you LONG after the chapters are finished. This surprised me, quite frankly--and it a testament to Debbie Macomber's prowess as an author. When a writer can "disappear" behind her characters yet make the story utterly engaging and unforgettable--THIS is the kind of treat that makes reading so luxurious!

I admit, I do NOT read romance novels and I only picked this book up because it was set during Christmas (my favorite time of year!) I had not read Ms. Macomber's books before but I am so impressed with When Christmas Comes that I'll be sure to pick more up the first chance I get! (I even told my husband "You GOT to read this. It's great!" So here he is, taking this Christmas romance to work to read on lunch breaks. LOL!)

Debbie's Best Christmas Book Ever.......2006-08-23

This is one of my very favorites by Debbie and being a native of Washington State makes it even more special, especially living only 70 miles from Leavenworth. It is filled with humor, changed hearts, kindness and love, just what Christmas is all about. I highly recommend this book.

charming and fun............2006-05-13

*** I very much enjoyed this christmas story. It was light hearted and fun. I found it to be quite entertaining and an easy read. Debbie Macomber has a way of grabbing the reader and making it seem as though they are witnessing the story in first person. I have yet to read a Macomber book that I have not enjoyed and this one is no exception.

When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western Front 1917 (Dear America Series)

Average customer rating:

Five Stars
my review
When Christmas comes again
A Pleasing Read
When Christmas Comes Again

When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western Front 1917 (Dear America Series)
Beth Seidel Levine
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0439439825

Amazon.com

After stops at Pearl Harbor and the Great Depression, this exceptional historical-fiction series for young adults continues with the diary of a "hello girl"--one of the brave young switchboard operators who volunteers for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WWI.

New York society life couldn't be more boring for 17-year-old Simone Spencer, but her diary entries are about to become a lot more exciting--for better and for worse—as President Wilson brings America into the fight against the Kaiser. Simone's beloved brother Will signs up to be a doughboy, and soon after she herself finagles her way overseas to help the war effort, putting her native-sounding French (thanks to Simone's fiery mother, her "Maman") to use at a combat switchboard. (In the chaos before the liberation of St. Mihiel, Simone recalls, "If anyone had happened on this room in the midst of the battle ... they might just have thought we had gone perfectly mad. They might have thought we were screaming at one another in a sanitarium instead of an office of war.")

First-time author Beth Seidel Levine does a tremendous job with her debut, spinning a charming story that folds in period details and current events with another winning Dear America female protagonist. Kids will learn along with Simone how women's involvement in the war would have a lasting impact--and, as Simone's Maman says, how sometimes "things work out better when they go the opposite way of what is expected." (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

In April of 1917, Simone Spencer's world changes. Her beloved brother Will goes off to war, and Simone seeks a way to help. The passionate daughter of a feisty French mother and a rebellious upper-class father, Simone is not cut out for the society life she is meant to lead. So, when General Pershing calls for French-speaking American girls to operate the switchboards on the Western Front, Simone becomes one of the first brave "Hello Girls" whose courage helped lead the Allies to victory. In the end, Christmas brings the Spencers back together again.

Customer Reviews:

Five Stars.......2007-08-08

Simone Spencer is living a good and easy life in 1917 her family is very well off but every time Simone hears about the fighting over in the Great War also know as World War I. Simone's brother is also fighting over and Simone wants to do something. She decides go over and help by translating messages from the frontlines as nicknamed a Hello Girl. It was really interesting learning how close to the lines this girls were and Simone's diary entries were well detailed and very interesting. We always remember how much women helped during World War II that we often forget about the women who helped during World War I. This book certainly made me want to read more about the hello girls.

my review.......2006-10-25

There was a girl named Caroline she would write in her diary every day when she got home. she would tell what she did .It was was war time . There president Wilson brought them to fight. they brought Allied force against thr Kaiser in Germany. It was april 9th and just in a weekend the world felt ljike it changed . her brother and hais girlfriend came over for supper . when her father left she can feel the pain in her heart . the told her theres NO cates family living in New York but the son is in war. the reason i didnt like this book is cause i it was kind of boring and pluse i had to read i dont like to read much. hopfuly you will like it!!!!!

When Christmas comes again.......2005-12-15

Simones brother william was of to war to be a doughboy which is an american soilder. Simone is in the twelth grade she starts writing in her jurnal April,6, 1917. Her mom is french but her dad is american they met at her moms parents bakeryshop in paris. Simone speaks a little bit french but not alot of it she speaks american alot better. Her parents moved to Ney York City to were her mom can open up a hat shop. Simones brother is married to Caroline Lawson which is a society girl. Simones brother went of to war two months before Chirstmas he said that he'll try to be back before Christmas but he didn't and while he was at war simone was helping out at the YWCA with injured soilders that gave her the idea of becoming a switchboard operater shetook a three week training school teaching her what to do with a switchboardat the last week they let them hang with there familys before they left for war.

A Pleasing Read.......2004-02-04

Seventeen-year-old Simone Spencer is a well-to-do girl who lives in New York City. The year is 1917, she is slightly bored following high school graduation, and is desparate to really do something to help her country during WW1. Then she finds her opportunity-the U.S. government wants French-speaking girls to be translators and switchboard operators for Allied troops in Europe. Simone has learned French from her Parisian mother, and quickly "enlists" for the job. In a whirlwind of events, Simone travels to France, is surrounded by war, makes a best friend, feels hope, anxiety, and pressure like never before, and even falls in love.

The best thing about this diary is simply the character of Simone. She sounds intelligent and friendly; her warmth seemed to draw me in as I read. As an "average" girl, she experienced the war how I think I (and many other girls who read this book) would, and this realism is such a plus in a historical fiction book.

Historically, this book is just plain good as well. Before I read this, I had no idea what a "hello girl" (what Simone's job was nicknamed) even was. This diary certainly changed that, and effortlessly included details about the job as well as the time period that were interesting and fit well into the text.

I must say that the end of this book is especially sweet as well-due to its closure of Simone's romantic life and its other conclusions about life and experiences. In conclusion, I feel it's safe to say that most girls will enjoy the "friendly" main character, little-known history, and cute love story in this diary.

When Christmas Comes Again.......2003-06-05

Boring book. I hated it. Bought it last week and read it. It was so cheesy. No real plot. I coudn't wait for it to be over! It really stunk. My brother could write a better World War I diary than that! The author is unknown and to tell you the truth, there was no Simone Spencer!

$Home For The Holidays: The Forgetful Bride\When Christmas Comes$
Average customer rating:

Warm stories to delight the heart
Predictable
FUN CHRISTMAS STORIES!!
lighthearted fun
An ok christmas book but predictable at every turn

Home For The Holidays: The Forgetful Bride\When Christmas Comes
Debbie Macomber
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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There's Something About Christmas
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A Gift To Last
Mrs. Miracle
$Glad Tidings: Here Comes Trouble\There's Something About Christmas$ Glad Tidings: Here Comes Trouble\There's Something About Christmas

ASIN: 0778322394

Book Description

Everyone wants to be home for the holidays . . .

The Forgetful Bride
Caitlin Marshall's trying to go home to Minnesota, but at the last minute she gives her airline ticket to a stranded soldier. So Cait spends Christmas with Joe Rockwell, who was a childhood friend -- and is still a terrible tease, claiming that Cait's his wife. Oh, sure, they were "married" in a pretend ceremony when she was eight, but now Joe wants to make their "marriage" real!

When Christmas Comes
Emily Springer trades her Leavenworth, Washington, home for Charles Brewster's Boston condo. Then Emily's friend Faith comes to visit her in Washington -- and instead finds Charles, a complete stranger and a curmudgeon, to boot. His brother, Ray, meanwhile shows up at Charlie's place, only to discover Emily living there. But through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, among the chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge . . .

Customer Reviews:

Warm stories to delight the heart .......2006-08-02

Two very cute stories in 1 holiday package. Debbie Macomber has an excellent talent to create warm and lovable characters! "When Christmas Comes" had a charming plot and somehow very believable. "The Forgetful Bride" captured a lovely sense of humor! Debbie Macomber also has the knack to create a male lead with a WONDERFUL sense of humor. It makes for a very SEXY male!

Predictable .......2005-12-29

I love Debbie Macomber and her books, but I was disappointed with Home for the Holidays. Unlike most of her books, I didn't find the characters or the storyline believable. I couldn't finish either story. I wouldn't recommend this one, not even at Christmas.

FUN CHRISTMAS STORIES!!.......2005-12-09

Well, I'm not sure what all the low reviews are for, because I thought this was a fun book. It's an easy to read lighthearted book to read on the these cold snowy days. Something to relax by the fire with and laugh without getting into something too serious and deep. I think they are both warm with lots of laughter and a nice romance, perfect for getting away from it all. We have enough serious in our lives and it's nice to unwind with any of Debbie Macombers books. If you want deep and thought provoking material, then read an Opera book.

lighthearted fun.......2005-12-01

Forgetful Bride

I gave Cait the benefit of the doubt that she's a 28 year old, who is a hopeless romantic, blind to every indication to the obvious (I just took a random guess at the pairing and it turned out right) and sensitive to the littlest joke. With that mind frame, I managed to enjoy the story, which is how she gradually comes to her senses and starts thinking of other people, rather than herself. There was something way too simple about the writing style and characterization. Joe is shallowly drawn (as in there's no real depth to his character, no insight to how he switches from obnoxious to loving, hard hat construction worker to suave romeo. He just does and we're expected to roll with it). The best friend is too passive. The childhood marriage joke gets old pretty quickly.

When Christmas Comes

This was a straight comedy of error, reminding me of my favourite movie, "The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath". Basically Emily switches houses with Charles. Faith flies across the country to be with Emily, only to find Charles, and Ray goes to look for Charles only to find Emily. Throw in a hysterical mother, a belligerent daughter, and her biker boyfriend. As the characters started to be developed and brought together, laughter could be heard echoing off my walls; I just couldn't help it. I laughed at what I read, I laughed in anticipation; I just laughed. I don't know if it was supposed to be that funny.

Anyway, the romances that were developed are shallow. The comedy of errors was hilarious, but immediately there were too many characters for a romance to develop in any depth. At best, I could find strong friendships. We didn't really get to see the couples fleshed out, their motives, concerns, and hopes really developed. With just a couple cookies and christmas trees, or a sleigh ride and dinner, they have fallen in love. In a way, I hand their restraint to the age of the couples, 30s- 50s, but that only goes so far. If this was a full length novel, where we were able to see the full two weeks they spend with each other, then it could have been an excellent romance. But it wasn't, and is therefore rather shallow.

These are two great stories that I would recommend to friends. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and read them in one sitting. My criticisms stem from the fact that I wish I had more, especially more depth. But such is the situation with lighthearted novels.

An ok christmas book but predictable at every turn.......2005-11-21

This is my first romantic comadey book to read but I wanted to read an x-mas book but all of them are romantic comadeys. I found this book to be pretty good. The book has 2 stories and the first one was ok and the second was good. The first one I found the charactors to be anyoing at first the main girl was to mean and the guy was to kidish. As the story went on i liked the chemistry between the two charactors. The story was good but predictable and it draged on at times. The other story is a mix up holiday story which I found fun. The story was funny but predictable but fun. Overall the book was a good x-mas book but still needs lot of work.

Snow What Fun! When Snowmen Come to Life on Christmas Eve

Average customer rating:

Snow What Fun! When Snowmen Come to Life on Christmas Eve

Manufacturer: Hallmark Cards Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Snowbelly Family of Chillyville Inn

ASIN: B000BHDTSW

Product Description

Just what do snowmen do when no one is looking? This lively account of the snowfolks big gathering just south of North Pole will answer that question in a truly unforgettable way. Pairing Cheryl Hawkinsons playful verse with delightful illustrations by Mike Esberg, Snow What Fun! is sure to become a season favorite for you and your family a holiday story youll want to read and reread for years to come. Story, verse, and artwork created especially for this book by Hallmark Writing Stylist Cheryl Hawkinson and Hallmark Senior Illustrator Mike Esberg.

Average customer rating:

When Christmas Comes
Elizabeth Starr Hill
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, Entertaining

When Cows Come Home For Christmas
Dori Chaconas
Manufacturer: Albert Whitman & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0807588776

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, Entertaining.......2005-12-12

I recently bought this for my three year old. She loves it. The illustrations are wonderful-she finds them very interesting and the verse (rhyme scheme) is great - not forced at all. An easy book to read out loud with a cute plot. It is a fairly quick read (I often look for those to read at night). Overall, great quality Christmas book.

8 HBs, Dear America: Seeds of Hope, When Christmas Comes Again, Survival in the Storm +5 More

Average customer rating:

8 HBs, Dear America: Seeds of Hope, When Christmas Comes Again, Survival in the Storm +5 More
Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W2ITJK

Product Description

5 have built-in ribbon bookmarks, HBs

Home for the Holidays : The Forgetful Bride When Christmas Comes

Average customer rating:

Home for the Holidays : The Forgetful Bride When Christmas Comes
Debbie Macomber
Manufacturer: Harlequin Enterprises, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXXWPO

Average customer rating:

Snow What Fun! When Snowmen Come to Life on Christmas Eve
Cheryl Hawkinson Mike Esberg
Manufacturer: Hallmark Cards Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000U4NIG4

Average customer rating:

SNOW WHAT FUN!: When Snowmen come to life on Christmas Eve.
Cheryl Hawkinson
Manufacturer: Hallmark
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S563LC

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