Daniel's review
The Mantle of the Prophet
by Roy Mottahedeh
Daniel's review
The Mantle of the Prophet by Roy Mottahedeh
Daniel's review
rating:
In "Mantle," Ray Mottahedeh portrays a made up Mullah living during the time of the 1978 Revolution. In the course of narrating the Mullah's biography up to its main turning point, the author progresses through a series of topical histories encompassing life and culture in Iran. The narrative is divided into themes such as poetry, medicine, and religious scholarship.
For the most part, the author connects these themes to modern Iranian culture, describing important events and lives, ultimately creating a detailed context for the life of an Iranian Everyman, Ali Hashemi. In the life of Hashemi, the author elaborates upon the nation's idiosyncratic modern-day blend of ancient traditions and 20th century upheaval, making use of the rich context provided in the thematic expositions to integrate the apparent inconsistencies and contradictions of an ancient country hurtling toward an uncertain but novel future. Meanwhile, passages describing to the small glories and fatal haza...more
For the most part, the author connects these themes to modern Iranian culture, describing important events and lives, ultimately creating a detailed context for the life of an Iranian Everyman, Ali Hashemi. In the life of Hashemi, the author elaborates upon the nation's idiosyncratic modern-day blend of ancient traditions and 20th century upheaval, making use of the rich context provided in the thematic expositions to integrate the apparent inconsistencies and contradictions of an ancient country hurtling toward an uncertain but novel future. Meanwhile, passages describing to the small glories and fatal haza...more
