I'm reading "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi right now.

[terrya]

I absolutely love this book. For anyone who loves books...and great writing...please read terrific book. It also offers a look into Iran today.

Terry

[Sequoia]

1. I read it about two years ago. Really good.

[Thirtieschild]

2. Half-way trhough READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN

and loving it. So many insights, such lyrical writing. I often don't like lyrical writing - too often it comes across as LOOK MA, I'M WRITING - but the writing here is coming from her soul. Took me about 40 pages to get into the book but now can't put it down. Daughter loved it, insisted I read it.

[Sacajawea]

3. Ditto. Listened to the book on tape version and loved her writing...

but the cruelty and just plain evil of the "rulers" makes my heart ache. So many, many people everywhere...so very oppressed.

[jonnyblitz]

4. i was wondering about this book. I will have to read it.. nt

[tammywammy]

5. I've read it

and I also loved it. I've recommended it to a few people.

I think I read that they're going to make it into a movie, has anyone else heard that?

[uncertainty1999]

6. it's on my desk -- it will be the next book I read!

[Jim__]

7. I read this book a few years ago (possible spoiler)

I've probably forgotten a lot of it. But, it was fascinating to get a look at the Iranian Revolution through the eyes of an Iranian woman who was largely raised in the West.

I read the book a 2nd time because Barnes And Noble Online University did a class on the book. Azar Nafisi actually took part in the class as a sort of expert consultant. Of course, so many people participated that you couldn't actually have any type of personal conversation with her. But, it was interesting to see her responses to all of the questions that people had.

One of the things I remember most about the book concerns the trial of a student. The student had been a prison guard during the reign of the Shah. He attended college (I think University of Tehran) on his off hours. After the Revolution he was arrested and placed on trial. During the trial, a professor came and testified on behalf of this student; I think the professor was the head of the literature department. Years later, Azar met a female student who was a spectator at the trial. And this former student told Azar that she knew this professor had to be a literature professor because only a student of literature would understand enough about the complexity of human nature to realize that even though this student had been a prison guard under the Shah, he could still be a good person.

I'm not sure that I agree that only a student of literature would have such an understanding of human nature. But, my experience is that people who read do seem to avoid the gross over-simplifications of people that you sometimes encounter.

Another thing I remember about the book is that I was disappointed in the discussion of Lolita. Lolita is one of my favorite novels. As I remember it, they roundly condemned Humbert Humbert as a worthless human being. I've always thought that at the end of Lolita, Humbert became a somewhat sympathetic character because he realizes what he has done to Lolita; understands that he can never undo this harm; and suffers greatly from this knowledge.

[lostnfound]

8. Secretly taping 'liberal professors' at UCLA, just like the 'watchers'

While reading the book last year with my book club, we discussed how disturbing the parallels were with what is happening here, now.

When I read yesterday about professors being taped by students being paid $100 to rat on any professors stating liberal views, I immediately thought of the hardline religious students who sat in the author's English classes, for the purpose of monitoring her speech. Initially they were just quiet and weird; eventually they gained enough power to begin to be more overt in their threats.

Great book.

[Coexist]

9. Loved it! Tried to get a discussion going on it awhile back

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=209x1106

Hope you enjoy those comments.

[Lefergus70]

10. I join the praise for this book.

I took notes as I read it because there was so much insight from this woman. Here's one of her observations that I've passed on to my children: “It is only through literature that one can put oneself in someone else’s shoes and understand the other’s different and contradictory sides and refrain from becoming too ruthless.” (p. 118)

[spindrifter]

11. I had the good fortune

to see her when she was on a speaking tour. She is really a phenomenal person. Check out her website, if you are interested.