Customer Reviews

Behind the Tall Walls

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It was with some misgivings that I first picked Azar Arayanpour's book " Behind the Tall Walls". Within minutes, however, I realised that the only problem I would have with this book is that I would not be able to drop it until I had finished it. But the sleepless night that followed proved worth it. This is a truly fantastic read. Azar Aryanpour tells her story with a voice that is both strong and vulnerable at the same time. Anyone who wants to know how the Khomeinist revolution wrecked the lives oif millions of decent, hard-working, god-fearing and patriotic people should read this book. The big tragedies of history, such as the Islamic Revolution of 1979 in Iran, are often best understood when studied through their impact on the lives of individuals. To say that Iran today is twice poorer than it was before the revolution is too general a sattement to make an impact. The same is true of reminding the world that more than two millionn Iranians have been in and out of " Islamic" prisons during the past two decades, that some 100,000 have been executed , that more than a million died in the war against Iraq, and that nearly eight million Iranians have been driven out of their homes, more than half of them inside Iran itself. It is only when you read how the lives of Shoja Sheikh, a young Iranian doctor and his loving wife Azar were wrecked that you begin to share some of the pain felt by millions of Iranians. Ms. Aryanpour's book, however, is not a political statement. She is telling the story of one woman who fought hard to save her marriage and bring up her children in circumsatnces that would have broken many a lesser person. Read this book and recommend it to your friends. Paris , Amir Taheri

Azar Aryanpour tells her story and that of Dr. Shoja Sheik with heart rending clarity. Many facts are now clarified for me. I was one of the faculty that helped Shoja in his pursuit of becoming an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Three times I visited in Iran, once for a month as he set up a residency at the "Shafa Hospital". The tragic story now clarified by his former wife moved me deeply.

Make sure that you have a lot of time before you start reading this book, because it is going to be very hard to put down. I found myself reading this book in the middle of class, anxiously wanting to find out what happens next. This book is very touching and emotional, making you feel as though you are right there alongside her through the story. She also does a great job at explaining who is who in book (former iranian officials). I only have one criticism, and that is when she referred to Baha'is as atheists. Such a statement is untrue, and highly offensive to Baha'is who have been tortured and murdered because of such ignorance. But overall, I praise her for this book.

I think this book was very well written and showcases pre and post revolution Iran with great clarity. Once taken up for reading, putting it down is difficult!