I gave this novel three stars because I'm not usually big on fiction, but it is interesting and well researched. The social and political situation of a pre-revolutionary Iran centers around the love story of the two protagonists, Mahastee and Reza. The chapters vacillate between the perspectives of Mahastee, an aristocrat semi-oblivious to the sociopolitical reality she is sheltered from, and Reza, and intellectually prudent Leftist/activist whose Marxist ideology opposes the oppressive regime, while at the same time repudiating the calls to violence of his more radical Marxist fellows. **SPOILER ALERT**Mahastee and Reza are united after twenty years of distance. While they shared a young-love connection as adolescents, they soon learn how different they really are. The struggles of Muhastee seem to pale in comparison to that Reza encounters. While hers include dealing with her husband's infidelity and the pretentiousness, rigidity, and egoistic mindsets of her fellow aristocrats, Reza wrestles with a plurality of facets that include survival, the dangers of being imprisoned and interrogated, and the threats of betrayal from within his socialist groups. The differences of their characters become more and more apparent as the novel progresses and the love connection is ultimately doomed due to both their differences and the revolution that witnesses the replacement of one oligarchy for another. Dark, yes. Fundamentalism wins, yes. But that's history, the past is not rewritten here, it is retold through the unique perspective of the fictitious characters. All in all, a decently written novel, especially considering it is the author's first one.
This is a book that captivated me from the beginning. A tale of pre-revolutionary Iran told in dual first person voice. The first voice is Reza, a middle-class intellectual Marxist man. The second is Mahastee, a wealthy intelligent woman. Their lives were enmeshed in childhood, and now their lives become enmeshed again as adults. As the forces of revolution captivate the country, personal forces also reach out to capture the main characters. This book is not my typical "happily ever after" story, but much more likely.As I read this book, I thought often of my childhood babysitter, who was in Iran during this time. It frightens me all over again to think what she must have endured on a daily basis, especially during and after the revolution, although before must not have been a piece of cake, either. Thankfully, she and her husband were able to move to the US.
What do You think about In The Walled Gardens (2003)?
It was okay I guess. It's set in Iran about a society that eventually got wiped away with the revolution. I guess it was interesting in the sense of learning about what society was like back then, and truly is different than what you would think today. Reading was a little choppy at times, and I think the end was a little unsatisfying. But maybe the author did that on purpose as commentary about the revolution and how it left a lot of loose ends in people's lives. I guess the book seemed to have a lot of potential, but didn't fully follow through by the end.
—Ellie
I agree with Allie (who gave this book three stars) in that it was interesting to read about Iran during the time of the revolution. Historically, it was really fascinating, and dispelled some of the preconceived ideas I had of the place. This is why I gave this book two stars instead of one.As far as storyline goes, it was one of those books where I read and read and really wanted some resolution at the end of the book...only to find that there is almost no resolution. My anticipation built up so much, and then...oh.The main character, in my opinion, really disappoints.Then I got angry that I spent so much time and energy on a book that was so unsatisfying.But maybe Allie makes a good point that the author may just be trying to demonstrate the loose ends that people in that society were left with.
—JoAnne
