I LOVED this very understated book about family, mothers and daughters, Iranian culture, and mostly love. I really liked the format of the book which is setup in 3 sections. In the first section you meet Mina and her mother Darya. Darya is working on arranging a marriage for Mina while also trying to figure out a way to broaden her own life. You learn that Mina and her family had escaped from Iran during the revolution. The second section goes into the past and gives the reader a glimpse of pre-revolution Iran, and the first year of the revolution itself. It also describes their escape to America. The third section describes what happens when Mina and Darya go back to Iran after 15 yrs. and then come back home to America. The interplay between the time periods works very well. The characters are so rich and full. It's easy to understand all the viewpoints that are expressed. And, mostly it is a book about love both romantic and familial. All in all a very satisfying read. Can't recommend it highly enough. This was my week of reading immigrant stories -- very appropriate given our trip to Ellis Island in New York! I was a little skeptical starting out; writing seemed flat and a little amateurish but it improved as I read along. Mina, a 25 year old woman living in New York City, is of Iranian descent. At age 10, she fled Iran with her parents and two older brothers, and her family has been largely successful at starting over again in America. Mina's mother, Darya, is trying to find a husband (Iranian, of course) for Mina and has an elaborate process of spreadsheets and data charts that will identify the perfect match. After the matchmaking goes sour, Mina decides to travel to Iran to visit family, and Darya joins her. Mina's recollections of their life in Iran are very interesting; funny episodes of her and her friends listening to bootleg copies of the Grease soundtrack interspersed with growing fear of the brutal regime after the overthrow of the Shah. Mina is a bit of lost soul -- she's homesick for Iran and the friends she left behind 15 years ago but isn't sure what she hopes to find in Iran. Darya's narrative was equally captivating; she's a strong-willed woman who is, above else, a mother who wants to protect her children and give them a better life. Terrific, witty secondary characters add humor and many amusing conversations. I've read many books about Iranian immigrants and Iran in general; heartbreaking to read of how womens' lives were significantly altered by events in Iran. There were elements of sadness in this, to be sure, but mostly much hope and promise and a interesting story of a mother and daughter at different life crossroads.
What do You think about Together Tea (2013)?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book...........great read!
—Patty
