Farin Powell

Read full post @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-roxanas-revolution-by-farin.ht...

This particular book struck a chord with me as my brother and sister are half Iranian, my brother being born in 1979. Although it didn't affect us directly (well, especially not me since I wasn't here for another 8 years), we do have many ties to their side of the family over there to this day. Since I wasn't here until later, and although this book is technically fiction, it really educated me on the historical (and present) aspects of the Iranian (or Islamic) Revolution. I think this is a useful read for everyone.

Roxana's Revolution is the journey of a woman caught up in the American hostage crisis in Iran. A lawyer in the United States, Roxana chooses to return to Iran where she isn't viewed as the 'enemy' during the international crisis. We are taken through a journey of life, loss, and strength as she discovers what it is to be in the middle of the war. It is thrilling, epic, and I think there is something we could all learn from it.

I, personally, love history. I love education. I just like knowing stuff. I will spout out a slew of information even if it pertains to absolutely nothing just because it's an interesting thing to know. Not that this is useless information, because it definitely applies to us all more than we may think it does. This is why I got engrossed within the pages of Roxana's Revolution. Although the story is meant to be fiction, I knew I was learning something as the story was unfolding. It was gripping and I feel more educated on the matters of what I see on the news every day than I did before. Farin Powell did a beautiful job painting the picture of the Iranian Revolution with grace and eloquence. She shows us how it has influenced the changes that Iran has faced since.

Like I said, my siblings are part Iranian. So at least second-hand I can understand how it feels for them to be put in a certain grouping for something they really have no connection with other than their immediate family (who actually spend a lot of time over here anyway). They will get phone calls or letters in the mail although they've never put on any paperwork what their ethnicity is. They have been American ever since the day they were born. I can imagine how it would be for someone living here being caught up in the whirlwind of prejudice without any control over it.

I would recommend this book for everyone, for the sake of understanding. Although it's explaining history, that very history has much influenced the things we see on the news today. Fantastic book. This is one I would read again.… (mehr)

In 1979, Iranian students supporting the Iranian Revolution took fifty-two Americans hostage at the American embassy in Tehran. After the US embassy's seizure in Tehran, President Carter took drastic measures against Iran He boycotted the importation of Iranian oil, froze about $12 billion of Iranian assets in the United States, and demanded the deportation of all Iranian students whose visas had expired or who were not enrolled in school.
This book is about a woman who, even though she was a successful lawyer in New York, was deported back to her home in Tehran. What she found there was a place she hardly recognized. Her beloved home no longer sparkled, the schools, shops, and people were drowning under harsh revolutionary conditions and war. Despite all of this, Roxana found a good job and worked hard. She lived her life one day at a time through tragedy, hardship, and the unjust law forcing woman to wear a Hijab. This is a great book and I would highly recommend it to any woman out there who is trapped or is struggling to find herself. You should add this book to your library today and let the coo of Roxana's morning dove tell you the story about one woman's fight to be free.… (mehr)

In 1979, Iranian students supporting the Iranian Revolution took fifty-two Americans hostage at the American embassy in Tehran. After the US embassy's seizure in Tehran, President Carter took drastic measures against Iran He boycotted the importation of Iranian oil, froze about $12 billion of Iranian assets in the United States, and demanded the deportation of all Iranian students whose visas had expired or who were not enrolled in school.
This book is about a woman who, even though she was a successful lawyer in New York, was deported back to her home in Tehran. What she found there was a place she hardly recognized. Her beloved home no longer sparkled, the schools, shops, and people were drowning under harsh revolutionary conditions and war. Despite all of this, Roxana found a good job and worked hard. She lived her life one day at a time through tragedy, hardship, and the unjust law forcing woman to wear a Hijab. This is a great book and I would highly recommend it to any woman out there who is trapped or is struggling to find herself. You should add this book to your library today and let the coo of Roxana's morning dove tell you the story about one woman's fight to be free.… (mehr)

The book commences on a tumultuous situation for Roxana, an attorney who receives a letter that could threaten the very fabric of her existence.

It becomes clearly evident during the initial chapters that this book carries a huge weight of political and emotional turmoil. The frightful events that become a national struggle are well delineated throughout the story.

Roxana makes a complicated decision that ultimately throws her smack dab in the middle of an entirely different war. This book gives a new perspective to certain old prejudices and sheds light on an international incident that changed course of history in both Iran and America.

Powell has developed a bold, unusually rich tale based mainly on historical fact, her expansive research and knowledge is apparent throughout this novel. The narration carries the reader through several lives, showing a backdrop of cultural significance that has often gone missing. Sensitive issues are given a voice and displayed without hesitation.

The reader will follow a mesmerizing tale of love, identity, and circumstance.

Read entire review here:
Bookend Chronicles… (mehr)