Seven Shades of Memory: Stories of Old Iran (Paperback)

by Terence O'Donnell (Author) "The Consul, Richard McCay, and his wife, Virginia, sat drinking martinis on the terrace of the Residence..." (more)
Key Phrases: teahouse keeper, jasmine vine, jewel merchant, Bishop Kent, Teymour Khan, Nasser Goharian (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Terence O'Donnell lived in Iran from 1957-71, operating a farm from 196370 before returning to America. "Seven Shades of Memory is his first collection of short stories. The stories share the theme of cultural collision, either as East meets West, or as members of different cultures within Iran tentatively interact. These stories show his prescient understanding of the multifaceted nuances of Persian culture and the Westerners who attempt to navigate through it. In "The Tree and The pool" an American Consul's desire for a swimming pool sets off a chain reaction of cross-cultural misunderstanding. The title characters in "The title characters in" The Princce and The Backer" live next to one another but i habit separate social strata. One day they are brought together and a subtle friendship blossoms. "The Women and The Ladies" is a short vignette about two American women tourists whose conversation with a waiter reveals the cultural milieus in which each side lives. "The Holy Men of Isfahan" brings together Muslims, Jews, and Christians in a conversation, sorrowfully underscoring how religion separates, despite the best of intentions. A wealthy Norwegian family vacations in an unfashionable part of Iran in "The Duck Hunt." In "The Stone of Love" a man takes his holiday in a hotel on the shores of the Caspian Sea where one evening he has a surreal vision a unique jewel. Finally, "Mrs. Cahn" is an elderly American philanthropist on a museum tour of Iran. From a bench she takes small pleasures in her surroundings and the local tribespeople who gather around her. Touched by their hospitality and respect, she is able to find peace at last.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Mage Publishers; 1 edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934211590
• ISBN-13: 978-0934211598
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,546,310 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 17, 2000

By	A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This collection of seven short stories set in Iran reveal the author's deep understanding of the country and their people. O'Donnell's stories present both issues of Western interaction with Persians, as well as cultural divides within Persian culture. The collection is subtitled "Stories of Old Iran" as they portray an Iran of 20-40 years ago and have a certain reserve to them. "The Tree and the Pool" is perhaps the least successful of the stories, portraying a somewhat stereotyped "ugly American." Another featuring Americans, "The Women and the Ladies" is also somewhat awkwardly executed. The concluding "Mrs. Cahn" is a more even piece, as an old American woman transcends her background to connect with local tribespeople. "The Duck Hunt" works well as a sketch of the tension in a Norwegian family on vacation in Iran. "The Price and the Baker," "The Stone of Love," and "The Old Men of Isfahan" are more fablistic, and enjoyable on that level. As a whole, the stories are a good glimpse into a passing time and place. The story titles are presented as two page spreads with lovely black and white photos that perfectly capture the mood of the book as a whole.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite collection of stories, February 6, 2000

By	CMCM (Nevada City, CA USA) - See all my reviews

As a person who also lived in Iran in the 1970's, I was particularly interested in the stories in this book. However, it would be of interest to anyone because the stories are evocative and the prose style is simple yet stunningly beautiful. This book is an absolute gem.