Customer Reviews

Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn: A Hitchhiker's Adventures in the New Iran

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a really enjoyable read and succeeds on a multitude of levels; it is thought provoking, it is touching, it is laugh-out-loud funny, it is entertaining and it is enlightening. It shatters most of our illusions about Iran and its people; it can be dipped into at random revealing fascinating glimpses of Iran's history, politics, architecture and everyday life, yet really delivers when read and savoured as a whole.

The situations that Maslin encounters on his travels range from the seriously life threatening to the totally unexpected, and often the plain bizarre. The sheer hospitality of its people is a real eye opener. Time and again the Iranians go out of their way to help this intrepid traveller, insisting on paying for his meals, for his drinks and for his taxis, and even insisting that he stay at their houses - just because he is a foreigner in their land and therefore their guest. This has the great benefit that we are able to read about the hidden Iran and how life is lived by its ordinary people, and get to understand their hopes and aspirations, and how they see the west.

This is essential reading if you're planning on visiting Iran - Maslin reveals that it has several international standard ski resorts for instance - but it goes way beyond the tourist locations in the guide books, yet doesn't pull any punches about the Iranian government: Maslin has subsequently been banned from re-entering the Islamic Republic! It should also be mandatory reading if you're a member of a government considering invading Iran.

This book is a great read on many levels. For those who are fascinated with Iran or who are
tired of the Axis of Evil propaganda about the country and want to learn more about it
should check this book out.

It's unfortunate that the author cannot return to Iran. Maybe one day the ban will be lifted.

The only drawback to the book in my opinion is the title as there is neither much of
Iranian rapping nor Persian porn in the book.

Jamie Maslin is one of the best of the new travel writers. His eye for detail, matched with a subtle wit and breathtaking realism, captures the nuances of the people and places that he visits. Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn is a humanist's account of a deeply hospitable country. It offers a well researched social, cultural, and historical introduction to Iran, and more than anything, celebrates life there. I highly recommend this book, as well as Maslin's second book on Venezuela, Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens. He'a brilliantly entertaining author to read.

...A breath of fresh air compared to the moody, dark and mystic airs of other books in this category.

This is a story of travel; The everyday encounters of a young British man in modern Iran, speckled with interesting facts, but thankfully not the full dose of overly romantic history, or overly condemning descriptions of modern politics that many travelogues from this part of the world tend to have. And that is exactly what I love about it! The author describes his adventures as they are, in an entertaining and casual tone, without being over dramatic about the differences between his own country and Iran. He is not overly pretentious about his reason for being there (he wanted to travel, got a visa and thought it would be a waste not to go), and describes in honest and open words his meetings with average Iranians and day to day mishaps and adventures without going into too much wordy detail.

This book is a very fun read and gives a nice, non-pretentious picture of a Westerner traveling in Iran today. Surprisingly or not surprisingly, what the author found was very little of the negative image that the Western media portrays. Thank you for that!

Highly recommend it. It is so nice to know there is a whole diferent side to what we see in the media about Iran. Iranians are warm and friendly. The book is funny and also the historical references are very enlightening.

This is a must read book. Mr. Maslin tells an epic tale of adventure through travels in a widely misunderstood country. His writing is among the very best of travel bloggers (or any other blogger for that matter). Once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down. He puts everything in historical and social context so that you have a clear understanding of exactly where his feet stood. My only 2 minor notes of improvement would have been for him to include a map of Iran with his travel route dotted out. Also, in the author bio it states that Mr. Maslin is no longer permitted entry to Iran, though the reasons may be obvious, it would be nice to know exactly why.
This is an excellent book. To be read and re-read.

What is it with titles of books on Iran? Do publishers think Iran is so unappealing that they need to jazz it up?( Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America And American in Iran )I doubt that Maslin has devoted 500 words devoted to rappers and porn. The title belies the substance of the book.

Jamie Maslin defies conventional wisdom and travels to Iran. He meets incredibly hospitable Iranians. In this book he thoroughly immerses you in the country's people, scenery and antiquities. His warm and generous hosts are surprised, some laugh, when he tells them that they are perceived as terrorists outside their country.

He sent me to You Tube to hear the bleating Chris De Burge and the repetitive Modern Talking. I had more enjoyable internet explorations searching the architecture of Esfahan, the antiquities of Persepolis, the Babak Castle and more. Maslin gives an over lightly of the history of these sites and the modern history of places like the Den of Espionage.

What you can't find so well surfing the net are the descriptions of and conversations with ordinary Iranians. This is a treat for the armchair traveler as is meeting the international travel companions he casually finds. The locals are quick to invite Maslin into their homes. They are surprisingly open, even though, as a school visit showed, there could be a camera anywhere. The final chapter raises interesting questions.

I was glad to see Maslin engage with Iranian females. Many male writers [i.e.The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran) marginalize (or ignore) their plight.

With Maslin being British, there were some words that jolted my eye. "Whilst" and "Lads" come to mind.

While in great need of a map, I like this kind of travel book. If you have interest in Iran and like travel books that emphasize the adventure and the people (as opposed to the place) this book is for you too.

This is my kind of book! Iranian Rappers and Person Porn gave me a clearer insight of how people in Iran live their lives -- not how we perceive them through their government's actions or our government's propaganda. It was delightful to follow an adventurous young man doing what we all wish we had the courage to do. Even as I held my breath at the chances Jamie took, the generosity of the Iranian people overrode all else. This is smooth reading peppered with informative historic bits. On my recommendation, we are now reading Jamie Maslin's book in our book club. I can't wait for his next book!

Lynn Jacobson, author of Surviving Five Daughters, Palo Alto, CA

I would have never considered going to Iran until now. Maslin's book is a humorous encounter of a forgotten land, that we as westerners often associate with the negative hearsay from the media. We often group together Iran into a Middle Eastern conglomerate of people to fear, and therefore avoid like the plague. Not true, according to Maslin. His account of the wonderful kindness, humour and good nature shown by the people of Iran is enough to put our own society to shame for not being as equally agreeable.

The descriptions in the book are fantastic. Maslin got a good sense of the best there is to see in Iran and has interesting insights to accompany his descriptions. I love that I can get a Coles notes worth of history from this book, it makes for good, thought-provoking reading that rounds out all the hilarious bits he describes while dealing with everyday things and people, like negotiating prices with the cab drivers or simply being approached in the street for looking lost.

I loved how honest it was.

Thanks, it was a good read. Highly entertaining. I recommend you read it if you have any interest in the Middle East, budget traveling, adventures or the kindness of strangers.

E.D.

I've always wondered the truth about the world. Is what we've been taught true? Is what we hear on TV even a little bit realistic? It seems that the answer is probably NO. After reading Jamie Maslin's book, I want to travel to Iran and experience the "Axis of Evil" for myself. If there is one thing this book taught me it is that we cannot be afraid to travel the road less traveled. There are beautiful people and beautiful experiences to be missed if we settle for the status quo. Jamie Maslin's book is eye-opening, interesting and witty. I enjoyed traveling with him through Iran. His journey to get there was scarier to me than the time he actually spent in Iran. Who would have thought?! The book graces its reader with part anecdote and part history of place, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an adventurous spirit, or at the least, anyone who enjoys hearing about the experiences of others in search of adventure.