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Anita Amirrezvani

Goodreads Author

Born

Tehran, Iran

Website

http://www.anitaamirrezvani.com

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AnitaAuthor

Genre

Literature & Fiction

Member Since

May 2008

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Anita Amirrezvani is the author of the forthcoming novel Equal of the Sun, which was published by Scribner in June, 2012. Her first novel, The Blood of Flowers, has appeared in more than 25 languages and was long-listed for the 2008 Orange Prize for Fiction. She teaches at the California College of the Arts and at Sonoma State University.

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Popular Answered Questions

What is your research process like, and how do you check your work for historical accuracy? Can you describe an instance when you decided, for dramatic or plot purposes, it was better to overlook historical precedent?

Anita Amirrezvani Dear Sam,
Good questions!

I research my books by reading a lot of scholarly work about Iran, both in English and French. I like to use primary sources i…moreDear Sam,
Good questions!

I research my books by reading a lot of scholarly work about Iran, both in English and French. I like to use primary sources if I can find them. One of my key sources for "Equal of the Sun" was a 1,000-page court chronicle written by a historian named Eskander Beg, who served in his post for something like 40 years and understood deeply how the court operated.

And that leads me to your second question. Since Eskander Beg was a man, he would have had limited access to the women of the court. I try to tell the historical story in "Equal of the Sun" through the eyes of the women and the eunuchs who were involved in the bid for power that took place during that period, but who never had a chance to write anything about it (or if they did, it has been lost). So although I stuck to the major events described by the court chronicles, I had to invent all the details and motivations for the events, as well as most of the characters.

I hope that answers your questions! (less)

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Hi Anita! My mom was born in Tehran, though I've never been. We still have family there, though I don't speak any Farsi. When was the last time you were there and how have things changed since you were born there?

Anita Amirrezvani Dear Cynthia,
The last time I was in Iran was 2002. I'm really longing to go back for a visit. Now that the nuclear deal has been signed, I'm hopeful t…moreDear Cynthia,
The last time I was in Iran was 2002. I'm really longing to go back for a visit. Now that the nuclear deal has been signed, I'm hopeful that things will change in both directions, for the good of everyone.

The changes that have taken place in Iran during the course of my life have been huge. I'm sure you are familiar with the basics, but if not, I'd be happy to recommend some good books.

Are you interested in visiting and/or in learning Farsi?
Best,
Anita(less)

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Anita Amirrezvani’s books

Average rating: 3.95 · 20,380 ratings · 2,527 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Blood of Flowers 3.98 avg rating — 17,919 ratings — published 2007 — 95 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Equal of the Sun 3.74 avg rating — 2,429 ratings — published 2012 — 25 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian American Writers by Anita Amirrezvani (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Persis Karim (Editor) 4.23 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Il sangue dei fiori (Oscar bestsellers Vol. 1874) (Italian Edition) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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The Sisters Brothers

by Patrick deWitt

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Jul 25, 2012 09:34AM

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The Children's Book

by A.S. Byatt

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May 09, 2012 10:58AM

Quotes by Anita Amirrezvani (?)

“Be like the date that grows sweeter and sweeter , even though the soil that nourishes it is rocky and harsh”
― Anita Amirrezvani, The Blood of Flowers

tags: wisdom-quote

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“First there wasn't, then there was. Before God no one was.”
― Anita Amirrezvani, The Blood of Flowers

tags: creation

23 likes

“Our response to cruelty, suffering, and sorrow is to remind the world of the face of beauty, which can best restore a man's tranquility, cleanse his hear of evil, and lead him to the path of truth”
― Anita Amirrezvani, The Blood of Flowers

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