Questions About Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

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Answered Questions (9)

How much history do you need to know to get something out of this book?

Leah I didn't know much of anything and still understood it quite well. If anything, it will inspire you to learn more…moreI didn't know much of anything and still understood it quite well. If anything, it will inspire you to learn more(less)

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I have heard this is a wonderful book and am interested in reading this with my students. What age would this be appropriate for?

blereader I'd say this is ideal for students who have read at least some of the various works (Lolita, The Great Gatsby, etc.) and who don't mind reading a 400+…moreI'd say this is ideal for students who have read at least some of the various works (Lolita, The Great Gatsby, etc.) and who don't mind reading a 400+ page book. Many of the complaints about Reading Lolita in Tehran are about how "boring" the literary analyses are, so students who enjoy analyzing classics and who can reflect from memory about their experiences with Lolita etc. would probably enjoy Nafisi's memoir better. I myself didn't read many of these Western works until my college years, so I suppose I'm biased towards thinking that this book is best for university students. Also, much of the accounts take place at a university, so it might ring well with those who are going through or who have gone through a university education.

For younger students, you might consider Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. It's more or less the same place and time period. Satrapi's work is just as serious as Nafisi's, but it might keep the interest of young students better, as it's less "pontificating," it's in graphic novel form, and it follows the life of a young girl growing up.(less)

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Do I have to read 'Lolita' inorder to read this book?

Maura I read Lolita first, specifically because I wanted to read this memoir and figured I would understand it better if I'd read Lolita. So, I hated Lolita…moreI read Lolita first, specifically because I wanted to read this memoir and figured I would understand it better if I'd read Lolita. So, I hated Lolita. I did indeed understand Professor Nafisi's teaching about Lolita, but really that's not as big a part of this memoir as the title implies -- she spends more time discussing The Great Gatsby. I think if you've read at least a few of the books discussed (Jane Eyre, Daisy Miller, Pride and Prejudice, among others) you'll be fine, but you do not need to be familiar with Lolita or any one title to understand the points Nafisi makes about her experiences in Iran.(less)

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How important is it to have read the books (ie. Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby) that are discussed in order to understand this book?

Nicole Not overly important, I feel. For each novel, Nafisi always mentions the themes and how they connect with her life and the lives of the students. Of t…moreNot overly important, I feel. For each novel, Nafisi always mentions the themes and how they connect with her life and the lives of the students. Of the four novels/authors highlighted, I only read 2 of them and didn't feel lost or confused at all in the chapters involving novels I hadn't read.(less)

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from where i am able to get a copy of this book?