read 'reading lolita in tehran'

a new classic

First off, Lolita is one of my all time favourites, and I love Nabokov. Having read almost every book discussed in this novel, I was really looking forward to reading it. Reading Lolita in Tehran did not dissapoint. The author has a wonderful writing style, and great insite. I was not all that familiar with the Iranian Revolution, and found those details very interesting (if not disturbing). I am sure this is one of those books, that I will return to and read many more times.

the book isn’t that exciting… i’ve read much better. It is an interesting topic but the author speand so much time on minute details..

It’s been a few months now since I’ve finished her book; but I’m often returned to thinking about exactly from where her viewpoint emerged from when decided and committing to write this book.

Did she develop specific feelings about her culture after having learned the English language and studying English literature? Did she do so after studying in America?

Similarly, does being a xenophile tend one towards critical views of your native nation? Is it a requirement for the comparisons involved?

I’ve been carrying this book around for about a week now, and just dug into it today. I thought I’d read it during my 39 hour ferry ride, but ended up reading something else instead. I’m excited to see what’s in store, and have heard good things about this book. Plus, I don’t know much about Tehran, so it will be educational. :)

...and completely enjoying myself. She has a beautiful way of making the political and social systems in Iran seem completely ridiculous without divorcing herself from her country or her culture.

I’m reading it in short little bites so I can savour the book that much longer. It’s going to take me awhile to get through…

i took a class based entirely on this book called Literature banned in Iran. we would slowly make our way through Nafisi’s memoires while stopping and reading the books she referenced along the way. In my opinion this is the best way to read Reading Lolita in Tehran because it brings so much more power to her writing.

amazing book that should be on everyone’s ‘list of books to read before dying’

Felt I could have got more out of this if I was at least familiar w/ the referenced readed. But it was worthwhile anyway.

loved the mix of literary references with memoir. The more well read you are (have you read the books mentioned in it?) the more you’ll get out of it AND reading the book as straight memoir is rewarding even if you don’t know the background stories. Yum.