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From Iran to America: Mahnaz and Shirin - A Love Story
This fictional story is loosely based on true events that have taken place beginning in the 1950's in Iran and continuing up until the present in the United States. Some of these events happened in the author's life, and the rest are what he is aware of. The book provides the reader with a window into some aspects of life and upbringing in the Middle East, and especially in Iran. In addition, the author hopes to raise awareness of some issues faced by foreigners living or studying in another country in general. The recounting of real events in a human life invariably includes moments of sadness. In order to strike a balance, a conscious effort has been made to add elements of humor even amid dire circumstances. For the benefit of readers who are not native English speakers, and in keeping with the author's fascination with idioms and expressions, an additional index has been included to help the reader understand the expressions encountered in this book which may not be familiar.
- GenresIran
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
99 people want to read
About the author
Reza Mashayekhi
6 books1 followerReza Mashayekhi in his own words:
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. After high-school, I first attended the American University of Beirut, and later the University of Michigan, where I received my aerospace engineering degree.
I have been a consulting engineer here in San Diego, but my true passion now is writing and directing. The fact is, I’m sometimes frustrated by the practical limitations of engineering. I therefore use fiction as a far less constrained medium of expression to help me give life to my thoughts and far-reaching imagination. I am presently working on a script for a movie based on some of the short stories I have written.
My writings are mostly inspired by true events. Some of these have actually happened to me, but most are events that I’m aware of without any personal involvement on my part. I start writing about them and then let my imagination take over. You can read more about my books on my website.
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. After high-school, I first attended the American University of Beirut, and later the University of Michigan, where I received my aerospace engineering degree.
I have been a consulting engineer here in San Diego, but my true passion now is writing and directing. The fact is, I’m sometimes frustrated by the practical limitations of engineering. I therefore use fiction as a far less constrained medium of expression to help me give life to my thoughts and far-reaching imagination. I am presently working on a script for a movie based on some of the short stories I have written.
My writings are mostly inspired by true events. Some of these have actually happened to me, but most are events that I’m aware of without any personal involvement on my part. I start writing about them and then let my imagination take over. You can read more about my books on my website.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 31, 2014
I received From Iran to America as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Apparently based on the author's own experiences growing up in Iran then immigrating to the United States as an adult, the main character reconnects with an old student of his through social media. Now both in America, the pair find themselves discussing their lives, both small anecdotes and groundbreaking events that made them who they are and brought them to their present circumstances.
The story is a bit unpolished and stream-of-consciousness in its approach, but therein lies its charm. The characters are very raw and real, probably because most or all of them have real-life counterparts. Their feelings are messy and not always pretty, which is refreshing, and the book ends on an uncertain note--a cliffhanger, in fact. The story, like life, isn't tied up in a neat little bow. I also found Mashayekhi's insights into Iranian culture (and Iranian-American relations) fascinating. For instance, I didn't understand the subtle differences between "Persian" and "Iranian," or the etymology behind either, so these little tidbits of knowledge were enlightening.
Apparently based on the author's own experiences growing up in Iran then immigrating to the United States as an adult, the main character reconnects with an old student of his through social media. Now both in America, the pair find themselves discussing their lives, both small anecdotes and groundbreaking events that made them who they are and brought them to their present circumstances.
The story is a bit unpolished and stream-of-consciousness in its approach, but therein lies its charm. The characters are very raw and real, probably because most or all of them have real-life counterparts. Their feelings are messy and not always pretty, which is refreshing, and the book ends on an uncertain note--a cliffhanger, in fact. The story, like life, isn't tied up in a neat little bow. I also found Mashayekhi's insights into Iranian culture (and Iranian-American relations) fascinating. For instance, I didn't understand the subtle differences between "Persian" and "Iranian," or the etymology behind either, so these little tidbits of knowledge were enlightening.
Displaying 1 of 1 review