Customer Reviews

Growing Up in Iran

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This book is a good and refreshing read. One could expect revelations about political struggles or Muslim culture in Iran but there is not much emphasis on either topic. A man in his sunset years returns to the days of his childhood and early adulthood, remembering them with warmth and fondness. A personal story is told vividly, often with soft humor and with patina of sadness. On the one hand, the story is highly unusual because a Russian boy and his Russian-speaking family end up living in rural Iran so the boy grows up learning Farsi as his primary language. On the other hand, except for some colorful details, the same or similar story could have occurred anywhere. That is, the reader can't help feeling that the business of growing up, even for a Russian boy in Iran, is much the same as for an American boy growing up in America. The commonalities are more significant and profound than the differences - the book doesn't force this conclusion but leaves it as, sort of, aftertaste. To me, this aftertaste was refreshing and even comforting.

Malakhoff is a contemporary Mark Twain! GROWING UP IN IRAN is a good read!
The book is well paced with the true adventures of a boy's growing up-years. The adventures are written with emotional impact, with humor, fright and love. The descriptions of Iran, its deserts, snow capped mountains, seas, animals, flowers and people make us think of an Aladdin Lamp Country.
The book is a cross between Mark Twain's TOM SAWYER and HUCKLEBERRY FINN and Greg Mortinson's THREE CUPS OF TEA and STONES INTO SCHOOLS. Wonderful adventures and a varaity of schools play a big part in this book.
Not only did we enjoy reading it to each other, but we're hoping to get the author to sign copies for our grandchildren. We're sure they will enjoy it too. It will broaden their ideas and will provide them with a perspective of a foreign culture, which is presently receiving much attention in the news.
Lois McAllester & Bob Reals