Dreaming in English

Dreaming in English

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3.72 of 5 stars 3.72  ·  rating details  ·  509 ratings  ·  136 reviews
A captivating sequel to the national bestselling novel Veil of Roses.

Knowing she could never be happy in Iran, Tamila Soroush took her mother's advice to "Go and wake up your luck" and joined her sister in the United States. Now, after a spur-of-the-moment exchange of "I do"s with her true love, Ike Hanson, Tami is eager to start her new life.

But not everyone is pleased...more
Paperback, 420 pages
Published February 1st 2011 by NAL Trade (first published December 9th 2010)
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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,117)
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chanceofbooks
Sequels are very tricky things, but Fitzgerald hits all the right notes with this follow-up to her acclaimed "Veil of Roses." Veil of Roses is one of my top five all-time favorite books from a lifetime of voracious reading. I love its writing and message so much that I use it as a supplemental text for one of the classes I teach. I've often imagined what a potential sequel might look like, as these are characters that just refuse to leave the reader's head. Dreaming in English lives up to all my...more
Maya
My mother gave me this book and it's been sitting on my shelf until last week, when I happened to pick it up and read it in a few hours. (It is an easy read). It is about a young woman who comes to the U.S. from Iran to find an Iranian husband and get a green card, but who ends up in a whirlwind marriage to an American man she marries (mostly) for love instead.

The moral of the story is, seemingly, that the protagonist must learn to "fight" for herself and her marriage, rather than "giving up". (...more
Irene
The narrator, a 27 year old Iranian woman, comes to the US on a 3 month visa looking for permanent residency through marriage. In the nick of time, the too-good-to-be-true romantic hero sweeps in and proposes marriage. All is perfect in paradise except for the mother-in-law who decides to break up the marriage and have our perfect narrator deported and the looming fear that INS will refuse the residency application. I am not a fan of fantasy romances where the couple is described in idealized fa...more
Michelle
Probably best read as a sequel to the first story, Veil of Roses, this book continues the story of Tami, Ike and their marriage and life. Ike is convinced the his parents will love Tami, a Persian woman who has come to America to find a husband in order to stay. Ike and Tami have fallen in love, and gotten married in Las Vegas. Ike's parents are horrified; Tami's ex-fiances reappear; Ike's ex girlfriend reappears and Ike and Tami argue about his dream of his own coffee shop. And all the while, t...more
Jillian
When I read Veil of Roses, the first book in this series, I was captivated by the story of Tami Joon. I watched her navigate the complex system of what it was like to be a foreigner in America and avoid deportation. So, when I learned that Laura Fitzgerald had decided to write a sequel, Dreaming in English, to tell more of Tami’s story, along with Ike, Maryam and other characters from the first book, I was more than excited to get my hands on it and read how this story progressed.

When we last le...more
Smitha
It was a mushy mushy kind of a story, not my kind at all - the lead pair being an Iranian girl who has come to the 'Land of dreams" on a tourist visa to etch out a life for herself by marrying an American suitor, preferably an arranged marriage with a non resident Iranian, but who ended up marrying a blue-eyed typical American boy with whom she was secretly in love with. The story starts with their wedding and then goes on to delineate how his parents do not accept her, how she is hounded by her...more
Kathleen Hagen
Dreaming in English, by Laura Fitzgerald, narrated by Angela Dawe, produced by Brilliance Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

Tamila Soroush grew up in Iran. Her parents did not want her to remain there after the revolution, so they sent her to her sister, Merriam, living with her husband in Tucson Arizona. She was sent on a visitors visa, but everyone hoped she would find a husband there, an American citizen, and not have to come back to Iran. After a couple of false starts with Iranian males, s...more
Linda
Tamila Soroush comes to America ostensibly to visit her sister, but hoping to find someone to marry so she can stay in America. Her sister tries to arrange a marriage between Tami and a Persian man, but all efforts fall through. On the last day before she must go back to Iran, Tami opens her hotel door to see Ike, an American man she has come to love. Ike knows about her need to marry and so he marries her right away. Even though Tami and Ike love each other, many people don't believe it, instea...more
Cheryl
The last comment Tamila’s mother said to her before she left her home of Tehran, Iran for Tucson, Arizona was “Go, my daughter. Go and wake up your luck.” Tamila is traveling to Tucson to see her sister, Maryam and her husband, Ardishir. It has been fifteen years since Maryam left Iran.

Luckily for Tamila she did find more than “Lady Luck”, she found a husband. You could not find a more American guy than Ike. He has a dream of opening his own coffee shop and plans to stay in Tucson until the day...more
bookczuk
I enjoyed Fitzgerald's first book quite a bit, especially some of the descriptions about living in a third world country and making the transition to living in America. Along the way, the characters in that novel worked their way into that spot in my heart reserved for endearing characters in books. I was interested to see how this book picked up the story.

Only days away from having to go back to Iran when her tourist visa runs out, Tami Saroush ends up marrying not the Iranian men who have been...more
Bonnie
I won this at the end of Feb in a giveaway from The Book Chick. I put it in my cue and began it this week. Unfortunately, when I began it was at a time when I was interrupted. Saturday I picked it up and read it straight through! What an amazing story of hope and the freedoms we take for granted!

This is the sequel to Veil of Roses, which I have not read but plan to. I enjoyed the characters so much I would love to know how they got to the point where this story began.

'Dreaming in English' is th...more
Melody
Dreaming in English continues the story of Tamila Soroush, a spirited Iranian young woman who wants to break free of the confine life in her country and finding her dreams in America. In this novel, we finally see her finding her true love - an American man named Ike Hanson; but as in life in general, there are always obstacles and challenges finding their ways into our life. In Tami's case, it is getting the approval of his parents (whom they think she's marrying Ike for a reason), meeting face...more
Msladydeborah
Dreaming in English is the story of about a Iranian woman name Tamila Soroush who comes to America to visit her sister and brother in law. While she is in America she meets a young man named Ike and they marry on the eve when her visa is about to expire.

This particular novel provides a perspective on America from Tami's point of view as an Iranian. She shares the moments that make her appreciate what living life in this nation is really about. As her marriage to Ike is challenged by his family...more
Anasylvia
I really did enjoy this sequel, I was looking forward to reading it and was happy when I finally got my hands on it. The only problems that I have with it,w as the ending, it was just to perfect for me. While I like happy endings I really felt this one was a stretch. I still really enjoyed the book though and it was very nice to be back with these characters.
Jessica
I was thoroughly impressed by Laura Fitzgerald’s Veil of Roses, so as soon as I found out there was more to the story, a sequel called Dreaming in English, I headed to the library to check it out. It’s not often that a sequel out does the first book. However, I think that Fitzgerald did a wonderful job at continuing the story.

Dreaming in English continues the story of Iranian immigrant, Tamila Souroush, to the United States. It takes us through her journey and struggles of being an immigrant, me...more
Lori
Oct 31, 2011 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2011
I listened to this one having no idea it was a sequel. I must say I really enjoyed this book on its own. I knew this was about the immigrant experience from a young Iranian woman's point of view and that's about all I knew. I must say this was a very refreshing portrayal of immigrants who are excited and positive about becoming Americans. It encouraged and made me smile to hear the different characters extolling the positive aspects of our culture and the opportunities available here as seen thr...more
Terri
Dreaming in English is the sequel to Laura Fitzgerald's Veil of Roses. Dreaming in English takes place just a few hours from where Veil of Roses ended (excluding the epilogue). In this book, Tami is now married to the love of her life, her American Boy Ike. But what Tami didn't expect was all of the trouble to come. Not only is Ike's family less than thrilled about the idea of their only boy getting married like this, Ike's mother sets out to destroy the relationship any way she can.

While Tami...more
Karen
Dreaming in English By Laura Fitzgerald
Ike and Tami, young, newly married and very much in love. Their world is complicated, Tami, visiting from Iran, needs her residency status to stay in America. Ike's parents are against this rushed, seemingly fixed marriage of convenience and Tami's former matches are angry she hasn't chosen them. This beautiful story is about love, friendship, family and freedom. It focuses on the many difficult issues of cultures clashing and fitting family traditions in...more
Sara
4.5 stars. I received this book for free through the First Reads program. I'm so glad that I did, as I had no idea that this sequel to Veil of Roses was coming out! I enjoyed Veil of Roses very much, but I think I enjoyed this book even more.

Now married to an American citizen, Tamila Soroush is trying to build a life in the United States, glad she does not have to return to Iran, but before anything can be made permanent, she has to be accepted by both the government as a permanent resident and...more
Jen
I was somewhat reluctant to pick up this book because, usually, sequels are never as good as the first book. I shouldn't have worried. Dreaming In English is the sequel to Veil of Roses (did I really only give that book 3 stars? Hmmmm...) and sucked me in from the first page. Matter of fact, I stayed up past midnight to finish it - something I haven't done in quite a while. I found myself emotionally involved from the get-go with this book and give credit to the author for throwing some real (an...more
Elena
This is an amazing book. The characters were not only real they represented a larger image of society. I´ve been Tami and I´ve been Ike. I´ve dealt with his mom and had the friendship of Rose. Perhaps not everyone understands immigration on a personal level but this book really hit home to me. Laura Fitzgerald did an amazing job telling this story which could easily be someone´s life right now. Tami and Ike´s story could be told even if she were born in the U.S., their struggle would still exist...more
Brenda
What a nice sequel to the other book - Veil of Roses ... Thank you, Margaret Tobin and fellow readers for pushing/encouraging Fitzgerald to continue the story of Tami (and other fellow characters ... not going to name as I don't want to spoil for the others). This was a good journey for Tami as she navigates through the US system that most American born Americans don't think/realize what happens with the immigration situations. This book ended me in tears as it brought me memories/thinkings of m...more
Sarah Wagner
Dreaming in English is a story about the American dream, told from the view of Tamila Soroush, a young Iranian woman attempting to stay in the U.S. through her marriage to an American citizen. Tami really wants her marriage to Ike Hanson to work, but she meets obstacles in the form of her in-laws, former fiances, and a new business, not to mention a looming immigration interview. Nevertheless, Tami is repeatedly encouraged to take her destiny into her own hands and fight for the freedom she so d...more
Shirley Freeman
I really liked this one. Apparently it is a sequel but I haven't read Veil of Roses so I don't know. This story is about Tami, a 27 year old Iranian immigrant who has married her friend Ike just as her visa is about to expire. The back story of her Iranian childhood, and her mother's mistreatment by the Iranian government, is significant. The conflict in this story revolves around her new mother-in-law's refusal to accept the marriage. Tami manages to grow a spine and she and Ike manage to work...more
RivkaBelle
I won this through LibraryThing's EarlyReviewers program, and was pretty excited - it sounded really good, and the cover is simply fascinating. When I got the book, I realized "Oops, it's a sequel? Um, okay - the library doesn't have the first one (Veil of Roses), but I'll be brave and go ahead..." For anyone else who may find themselves with Dreaming in English without having access to Veil of Roses, let me assure you: It'll be okay. There's enough 'remembering' that takes place during the stor...more
Dana
There are some aspects of this book (and Veil of Roses) that only earn 3 stars. However, I'm basing my rating on sheer enjoyment! I read both of these books in a matter of days, even staying up way too late to finish them because I just couldn't put them down. When a book leaves me with tears running down my face AND with a big smile, I know the author has done something remarkably well. The dedication inside this book (a sequel to Veil of Roses) sums it all up... and Laura Fitzgerald, if you're...more
Colleen


I was so excited to see there was follow up book to Veil Of Roses, because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and was so excited to see there was a sequel. I do have to say I did enjoy Dreaming In English, but it was not as good as expected.
I really missed Tami's quirky friends from the first book, they made very few appearances, and they were a big part of Veil Of Roses. I think this book is a lot more serious than its predecessor. Tami is having to deal with immigration problems, it was not as...more
Elliebit
I received this book through First-Reads.

The summary piqued my interest, but I knew from many, many flops in my reading history that a good
summary wasn't enough. I hoped that Fitzgerald wouldn't drop the storyline and characters, and leave their credibility to be questioned halfway through the book. So, sure, I would give the book a try and keep an open mind when I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads and give an honest review.

So here it is: this is a GOOD book! Once I star...more
Elena
Apr 14, 2011 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Laura Fitzgerald, people interested in cross cultural themes and inspirational reads
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Lynda
Let's get this out of the way upfront, this book is so pro America it's almost ridiculous. If you made a drinking game out of every time the word 'freedom' appears in this book you wouldn't make it three chapters. I seriously debated taking a star off for this but ultimately decided against it simply because the most patriotic people I know are immigrants so it is within the realm of possibility for Tami's character to think this way.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, the book is very mu...more
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Veil of Roses One True Theory of Love Con gli uomini ho chiuso

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