Customer Reviews

Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many years ago I lived in Iran. My husband and I, both Americans, worked there for an NGO, (Nongovernmental Agency), and were able to travel throughout the country. Our daughter was born there and when we left Iran, I left a piece of my heart behind. I recently came across Afshin Molavi's "Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran" in a bookstore, and I couldn't resist buying it. After reading the book I must say that it truly brought back so many visual images, unique experiences and memories of Iranian friends, their extraordinary hospitality and culture, and the political turmoil that existed - even back then. I feel like the author has given me a greater understanding of the land I learned to love. He has also updated me on how the country and its people have changed over the years...and how they have remained the same.

Afshin Molavi, a young journalist and writer, was born in Iran and educated in the West. He returned to his homeland for a year, (1999-2000), to explore the many facets of Iranian society. Molavi states at the beginning of the book that his intent is to record the voices of Iranians, no matter what their politics may be. He traveled throughout the country, visiting many of the cities and towns that I knew, on a pilgrimage of sorts. Students of the right and left, bazaar merchants, Islamic clerics, pro-democracy journalists, taxi drivers, urban slum dwellers, village farmers, war veterans, partying teenagers, feminists, women who are pro and anti-veil (chador), political hard-liners and reformers all spoke openly and frankly to him and all have a voice in this wonderful journalistic-anthropological-travelogue.

Molavi weaves a story of nearly 3000 years of Persian/Iranian history and reflects on Iran's present problems in light of its past. He takes us to the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargad and to the exquisite rose gardens of the poet Hafez's shrine in Shiraz. We visit a shrine to Iran-Iraq War veterans and the Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum. A fascinating portrait of everyday life emerges from Iranians who sometimes hold diametrically opposing views. Molavi's Iranian heritage and knowledge have allowed him to penetrate the culture as no foreigner could. His Western background gives him the distance to report objectively.

This book is a gem. I found it to be extremely well written, more informative than most books of this kind, and deeply moving at times. Highly recommended!
JANA

I have not read a better written book on Iranian history, culture, and politics. Molavi is brilliant in the way he weaves through Iranian history while at the same time telling the story of contemporary Iran through his interactions with the people. It is at once witty, hopeful, heartbreaking, and charming, but thoroughly entertaining throughout.

I casually came across the title in the book store one morning and by evening I had finished it! For those interested in a fascinating culture and country, I highly highly recommend this. Simply put, Persian Pilgrimages is one of the best books I've read in years!

For those considering books on Iran, I can say with utmost sincerity that having read nearly every book on Iran this past decade--from Sandra Mackey to Sciolino to Robin Wright to Bahrampour, etc--that Afshin Molavi's book takes top prize. This is not to take anything away from the others--they were all finely written and had their own value and charm. Persian Pilgrimages, is however, in a class by itself. It combines a broad survey of Iranian history as well as the most accurate account I've read on the happenings in contemporary Iran. Molavi's prose is very eloquent, he combines great writing with a great sense of humor as well as sense of humanity.

I highly recommend this book. It is truly an intimate encounter with one of the world's most fascinating countries and cultures.

Afshin Molavi is very insightful for his young age. This is a wonderful book taking a glance at almost everything that makes Iran what it is. He not only explains about the history of every place he goes, but relates it to the people of Iran and how it effects them. It's very well written and rather easy to read. I would recommend it as a must read for any Iranian and person who is interested in Iran.

I had not heard of this author prior, but after reading this book I was thoroughly impressed with him. Persian Pilgrimages is very objectively written and does a fantastic job capturing the complexities of Iranian politics. Molavi's prose is very poetic, much more enjoyable to read than an academic text. As an Israeli I feel that I have a much deeper understanding of Iran after reading this book. I recommend Persian Pilgrimages to anyone who loves great writing.

Afshin Molavi has done a great service for all those interested in Iran, be it culturally or politically. He weaves his way poetically through 2500 years of Iranian history, along the way telling the many stories of contemporary Iran, much different from the account you will get in the US media. I found myself deeply moved in some sections while other sections made me laugh out loud. For anyone who has ever visited or lived in Iran, whether before the revolution or after, and for anyone with an interest in Iran, the Middle East, or travel writing, I highly highly recomend this book. It is among the very best I've read of its kind.

This is one the best books I have ever read. Afshin Molavi takes you along through Iranian cities, villages, and historic sites while giving the reader honest and well researched historical information. His style of writing is superb, making the reader feel like a friend that is along for the ride. As an Iranian who has traveled to Iran twice in the past five years (and no visits to Iran during the preceding twenty years), I could vividly see and feel everything Mr. Molavi was describing. I think every Iranian (or American interested in the Middle East or exotic destinations) would enjoy this book. Thank you Mr. Molavi.

Thank you Afshin Molavi for producing such a vivid and beautiful account of our beloved but beleaugered motherland. For many of us who have not been able to return to Iran for the past 23 years, you have filled in the blanks. For every Iranian who reads this review, either in the US or elsewhere: This book is a must-read account of the land of our roots. Afshin Molavi has done us a great service, and to have done so with such eloquence and objectivity he must be commended. Yek donya mamnoon Afshin agha.

In this profound book of history, travel, politics, and culture, Afshin Molavi shows that he better understands modern Iran more than any other Western writer, academic, or journalist.

He must be given due credit for his objectivity and effort in undercovering the truths in today's Iran, an incredible task which he completed admirably. That combined with his literary grace makes Persian Pilgrimages a great read...I highly recommend it.

This is a well-written book that explains the complexities of Iran's contemporary history from the revolution to the present struggles of power. Molavi provides us thought-provoking glimpses into the fabric of Iranian life and politics. The book is well-written and erudite. It towers over similar books on Iran