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Pozoruhodný príbeh dvoch žien – modelky na vrchole kariéry a tínedžerky v cele smrti v Iráne –, ktorých život navždy zmenil jeden e-mail. Obe ženy majú zhodou okolností rovnaké krstné meno Nazanin.
Nazanin Afshin-Jamová bola na výslní svojej kariéry. V roku 2006 podpísala zmluvu na nahratie prvého CD a po umiestnení sa na druhom mieste v súťaži Miss World sa stala vyhľadávanou modelkou a ikonou medzi iránskou disidentskou komunitou. No v jedno popoludnie dostane e-mail, ktorý zmení jej životnú dráhu. Dozvie sa z neho o istom kurdskom dievčati – Nazanin Fatehiovej –, ktorá čelí trestu smrti v Iráne za prebodnutie muža, ktorý sa ju pokúsil znásilniť. Nazanin Afshin-Jamová sa jej pohotovo zastane. Vkročí do sveta medzinárodnej diplomacie, kde spoznáva temné stránky krajiny, v ktorej sa narodila: vraždy zo cti, násilie voči ženám a štátom schválené popravy detí.
Zatiaľ čo Fatehiová živorí vo väzení v takých katastrofálnych podmienkach, že si chce siahnuť na život, Afshin-Jamová horúčkovito pracuje na kampani na jej záchranu. Takto osud spojí životy dvoch žien – jednej, ktorá má všetky možnosti, a druhej, ktorá žije v najhlbšej chudobe – v boji za spravodlivosť. Tento výnimočný a inšpirujúci príbeh o solidarite medzi ženami hovorí o sile a schopnosti každého človeka podporiť pozitívne zmeny vo svete.
Nazanin Afshin-Jamová bola na výslní svojej kariéry. V roku 2006 podpísala zmluvu na nahratie prvého CD a po umiestnení sa na druhom mieste v súťaži Miss World sa stala vyhľadávanou modelkou a ikonou medzi iránskou disidentskou komunitou. No v jedno popoludnie dostane e-mail, ktorý zmení jej životnú dráhu. Dozvie sa z neho o istom kurdskom dievčati – Nazanin Fatehiovej –, ktorá čelí trestu smrti v Iráne za prebodnutie muža, ktorý sa ju pokúsil znásilniť. Nazanin Afshin-Jamová sa jej pohotovo zastane. Vkročí do sveta medzinárodnej diplomacie, kde spoznáva temné stránky krajiny, v ktorej sa narodila: vraždy zo cti, násilie voči ženám a štátom schválené popravy detí.
Zatiaľ čo Fatehiová živorí vo väzení v takých katastrofálnych podmienkach, že si chce siahnuť na život, Afshin-Jamová horúčkovito pracuje na kampani na jej záchranu. Takto osud spojí životy dvoch žien – jednej, ktorá má všetky možnosti, a druhej, ktorá žije v najhlbšej chudobe – v boji za spravodlivosť. Tento výnimočný a inšpirujúci príbeh o solidarite medzi ženami hovorí o sile a schopnosti každého človeka podporiť pozitívne zmeny vo svete.
334 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 21, 2012
Nazanin Afshin-Jan’s book, co-written with Susan McClelland, The Tale of Two Nazanins is about how she used her celebrity to save the life of the other Nazanin in Iran, who had killed her attacker in self-defense, and where the combined class, ethnic, and religious biases meant the Iranian Nazanin had little chance of acquittal. A sharp contrast to the social milieu of the main family depicted in A Separation.
While I understand the story telling rationale for presenting these as two parallel stories, and the contrast between the gloss of the Canadian Nazanin and the grittiness of the Iranian Nazanin, it didn’t completely hold together for me, until when the Canadian side became equally gritty on the campaign to free Nazanin. it was really only when she talked about how she mobilized people that the two stories really came together for me, and became more compelling as a result.
Some interesting asides in the book. She complains about the few Iranians who attend her public events during her campaign, without perhaps a full appreciation of the challenges that many have, given ongoing family and other relationships in Iran (Nazanin’s family, for understandable reasons, would appear to have none). She is perhaps a bit overly defensive over criticism that she used the campaign to increase her own profile – all celebrities do, and as long as the cause is sound, no shame in such synergy. Her summary of Iranian history skips too quickly from the Arab conquest of Iran in the mid 7th century to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, without mentioning key periods like the Safavid Empire 1501-1722, which not only led to an Iranian Renaissance, best exemplified by the art and architecture of Isfahan, the development of Shia Islam, but also a relatively open period for other religions and groups, many who were brought in for their artisan and craftsmanship.
And surprising, in a book based on human rights, remarkably little on the overall human rights framework, no mention of the 2009 elections and repressed Green Revolution, and a rather naive idea for a United People of Iran and United People project, while useful in highlighting the limits of the UN and international system, is unlikely to be as effective as some targeted campaigns can be (as she showed through her successful campaign).
In terms of relatively recent books on Iranian society and the prison and judicial system, other books include Marina Nemat’s, Prisoner of Tehran, Maziar Bahari’s, Then They Came for Me, and Haleh Esfandiari’s My Prison My Home, all of which provide a deeper understanding of contemporary Iran, and, with the exception of Marina’s, have the common thread of outside pressure to free someone from an Iranian prison (Nazanin’s achievement was to do so for an unknown).
While I understand the story telling rationale for presenting these as two parallel stories, and the contrast between the gloss of the Canadian Nazanin and the grittiness of the Iranian Nazanin, it didn’t completely hold together for me, until when the Canadian side became equally gritty on the campaign to free Nazanin. it was really only when she talked about how she mobilized people that the two stories really came together for me, and became more compelling as a result.
Some interesting asides in the book. She complains about the few Iranians who attend her public events during her campaign, without perhaps a full appreciation of the challenges that many have, given ongoing family and other relationships in Iran (Nazanin’s family, for understandable reasons, would appear to have none). She is perhaps a bit overly defensive over criticism that she used the campaign to increase her own profile – all celebrities do, and as long as the cause is sound, no shame in such synergy. Her summary of Iranian history skips too quickly from the Arab conquest of Iran in the mid 7th century to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, without mentioning key periods like the Safavid Empire 1501-1722, which not only led to an Iranian Renaissance, best exemplified by the art and architecture of Isfahan, the development of Shia Islam, but also a relatively open period for other religions and groups, many who were brought in for their artisan and craftsmanship.
And surprising, in a book based on human rights, remarkably little on the overall human rights framework, no mention of the 2009 elections and repressed Green Revolution, and a rather naive idea for a United People of Iran and United People project, while useful in highlighting the limits of the UN and international system, is unlikely to be as effective as some targeted campaigns can be (as she showed through her successful campaign).
In terms of relatively recent books on Iranian society and the prison and judicial system, other books include Marina Nemat’s, Prisoner of Tehran, Maziar Bahari’s, Then They Came for Me, and Haleh Esfandiari’s My Prison My Home, all of which provide a deeper understanding of contemporary Iran, and, with the exception of Marina’s, have the common thread of outside pressure to free someone from an Iranian prison (Nazanin’s achievement was to do so for an unknown).
April 28, 2015
First, I must say the book is very poorly written on the part of Afshin-Jam who seems to be reaching with her anecdotes that seem very contrived and thus insincere and even questionable throughout.
Secondly, as a former volunteer with MSF and someone who has worked in the humanitarian field for decades, I was looking for more about human rights and how the life of a young Kurdish-Iranian teenager, Nazanin Fatehi, fits into the broader condition of women in Iran and the Muslim world. Studying single cases is not as meaningful unless you tie it to the broader struggle. And no real historical mention of any previous rights regime in Iran which did exist.
Thirdly, since Afshin-Jam was neither raised in Iran or Muslim, her perspective is not the norm and has an air of superficiality to it. She opens her book claiming that she is sick of all the superficiality in the world but she epitomizes that very thing and throughout the book talks about her pageantry etc, how much more superficial can you get?
Finally, I was just grossed out by her narcissism, like a beauty pageant runner-up win is really an achievement that matters? For someone who goes on boasting about her principles, there are just so many contradictions throughout the book and what she has said in interviews. She really thinks completing an undergraduate degree at UBC makes her special (laughable). Somebody needs to teach this woman a lesson in humility.
If you do not want to read a book that seems like it was written by a child begging for attention, I suggest you read something else or in the very least stick to the chapters about Fatehi, she is the real story and I doubt she is getting any money from the book, just being exploited for what seems to be someone’s eagerness to be adored publicly instead of being taking seriously or bringing focus to the issue at hand.
Secondly, as a former volunteer with MSF and someone who has worked in the humanitarian field for decades, I was looking for more about human rights and how the life of a young Kurdish-Iranian teenager, Nazanin Fatehi, fits into the broader condition of women in Iran and the Muslim world. Studying single cases is not as meaningful unless you tie it to the broader struggle. And no real historical mention of any previous rights regime in Iran which did exist.
Thirdly, since Afshin-Jam was neither raised in Iran or Muslim, her perspective is not the norm and has an air of superficiality to it. She opens her book claiming that she is sick of all the superficiality in the world but she epitomizes that very thing and throughout the book talks about her pageantry etc, how much more superficial can you get?
Finally, I was just grossed out by her narcissism, like a beauty pageant runner-up win is really an achievement that matters? For someone who goes on boasting about her principles, there are just so many contradictions throughout the book and what she has said in interviews. She really thinks completing an undergraduate degree at UBC makes her special (laughable). Somebody needs to teach this woman a lesson in humility.
If you do not want to read a book that seems like it was written by a child begging for attention, I suggest you read something else or in the very least stick to the chapters about Fatehi, she is the real story and I doubt she is getting any money from the book, just being exploited for what seems to be someone’s eagerness to be adored publicly instead of being taking seriously or bringing focus to the issue at hand.
July 8, 2012
I was disappointed in this book. I don't think it was very well written.
August 4, 2019
The book should have focused more on the young Iranian children that suffer abuse
June 4, 2024
The story was interesting. The writing felt all over the place
June 28, 2015
I received this book as a gift from a friend for my graduation, as I have a keen interest in human rights and the condition of minorities under authoritarian regimes. This book,while discussing a case of human rights abuse, did not really delve too much into the issues at hand. This book is more of an autobiography of Nazanin Afshin-Jam (Canada beauty pageant person) and a biography of Nazanin Fatehi (Iranian victim of attempted rape, jailed for defending herself and her cousin).
I found the life of Fatehi to be very distressing and, if accurate, I think this portion of the book should be read by every person in Canada who takes their freedom and democracy for granted, especially our youth. I think you can say this without hurting Afshin-Jam's feelings, while her effort to write a compelling book seemed genuine, I think her writing falls short of touching you. I think a lot of the material regarding Afashin-Jam's own story was exaggerated and really superficial. It sort of seemed like she thought she was as great as Nelson Mandela and trying to recall her life as it was so significant, like the details of her privileged upbringing influenced the world, sorry, it just came across as very self-serving and arrogant if I may say so. Just my opinion.
Also, the notion that her experience can be an example for others was not something I could buy into, given that had she not come from a wealthy family, she would not have been able to put forward the time and money to spend on the campaign for Fatehi, so it was not inspiring to me in that way either. As I have read from a news article, there was blood money paid to save the girl's life in the end, which goes against the idea of basic human rights, they really did not win out in the end of this story.
Lastly, if you are looking for accurate information on the Iranian regime and life before and after the revolution, this is not the book, as Afshin-Jam did not live in Iran aside from one year as an infant. This was another reason that I found some of her recollections to be a bit embellished. The book was really trying hard to make references to literatures in the MIddle East but it is clear from Afashin-Jam's interviews that she knows little about Iranian history and culture, very odd since she claim she is now an advocate for Iranians. Not sure if they welcome this or not. Also, Afshin-Jam is not a Muslim woman, this book is from a woman who looks white and is born and raised in the West as a Christian, not the typical experience for the average Iranian who is Muslim.
In general, I have found that a lot of books written within the Iranian diaspora have questionable information. I am not sure if this is a result of people trying to magnify the horror of the regime to get their point across or somehow people altering their memories subconsciously due to trauma but I would read all biographical material with the same skepticism and critical eye I would academic material, as there is inaccurate information abound.
I found the life of Fatehi to be very distressing and, if accurate, I think this portion of the book should be read by every person in Canada who takes their freedom and democracy for granted, especially our youth. I think you can say this without hurting Afshin-Jam's feelings, while her effort to write a compelling book seemed genuine, I think her writing falls short of touching you. I think a lot of the material regarding Afashin-Jam's own story was exaggerated and really superficial. It sort of seemed like she thought she was as great as Nelson Mandela and trying to recall her life as it was so significant, like the details of her privileged upbringing influenced the world, sorry, it just came across as very self-serving and arrogant if I may say so. Just my opinion.
Also, the notion that her experience can be an example for others was not something I could buy into, given that had she not come from a wealthy family, she would not have been able to put forward the time and money to spend on the campaign for Fatehi, so it was not inspiring to me in that way either. As I have read from a news article, there was blood money paid to save the girl's life in the end, which goes against the idea of basic human rights, they really did not win out in the end of this story.
Lastly, if you are looking for accurate information on the Iranian regime and life before and after the revolution, this is not the book, as Afshin-Jam did not live in Iran aside from one year as an infant. This was another reason that I found some of her recollections to be a bit embellished. The book was really trying hard to make references to literatures in the MIddle East but it is clear from Afashin-Jam's interviews that she knows little about Iranian history and culture, very odd since she claim she is now an advocate for Iranians. Not sure if they welcome this or not. Also, Afshin-Jam is not a Muslim woman, this book is from a woman who looks white and is born and raised in the West as a Christian, not the typical experience for the average Iranian who is Muslim.
In general, I have found that a lot of books written within the Iranian diaspora have questionable information. I am not sure if this is a result of people trying to magnify the horror of the regime to get their point across or somehow people altering their memories subconsciously due to trauma but I would read all biographical material with the same skepticism and critical eye I would academic material, as there is inaccurate information abound.
June 7, 2015
I wish there was a way to give two ratings for this book. One for the very heart-wrenching story of the brave young woman Nazanin Fatehi in Kurdish-Iran who has endured a life of nothing but hardship. The injustices perpetrated upon her are unacceptable and will enrage you. For this portion of the book, I would no doubt give a 5/5 rating. Those chapters are deserve to be read. Unfortunately, they are mixed with with absolute crap.
For the rest of the superficial fluff, which reads like a narcissists ode to their privileged and very contrived existence, that is the life of the Canadian beauty queen Afshin-Jam, is a waste of your time and frankly ink and paper. I personally found it hard to believe parts of her story because I don't think any person in the world, even the likes of someone like Mandela or Gandhi found insight in every moment of their life. It seems like this woman expects you to believe that she is enlightened or something and it seems very fake in that way. seems like she altered her memory looking back on meaningless moments in her life and now expects us to believe they were profound. I get why a lot of people in the Iranian community In Canada think she used Fatehi's story to try to get fame and recognition after she failed at getting fame through the entertainment world. She now claims she only wanted to be famous to bring attention to Human Rights issues in Iran, which is utter BS since she knew nothing about Iranian politics or history prior to Fatehi's story and she admitted that. Her part of the book is basically her bragging, it's awful. I would give a negative rating if I could -2/5
Really think this book should have been about Fatehi only, then I would gladly recommend anyone purchase it but as is, I cannot recommend anyone waste their hard earned money or time on the other unnecessary chapters. If you can check it out at a library, FAtehi's story deserves our attention.
For the rest of the superficial fluff, which reads like a narcissists ode to their privileged and very contrived existence, that is the life of the Canadian beauty queen Afshin-Jam, is a waste of your time and frankly ink and paper. I personally found it hard to believe parts of her story because I don't think any person in the world, even the likes of someone like Mandela or Gandhi found insight in every moment of their life. It seems like this woman expects you to believe that she is enlightened or something and it seems very fake in that way. seems like she altered her memory looking back on meaningless moments in her life and now expects us to believe they were profound. I get why a lot of people in the Iranian community In Canada think she used Fatehi's story to try to get fame and recognition after she failed at getting fame through the entertainment world. She now claims she only wanted to be famous to bring attention to Human Rights issues in Iran, which is utter BS since she knew nothing about Iranian politics or history prior to Fatehi's story and she admitted that. Her part of the book is basically her bragging, it's awful. I would give a negative rating if I could -2/5
Really think this book should have been about Fatehi only, then I would gladly recommend anyone purchase it but as is, I cannot recommend anyone waste their hard earned money or time on the other unnecessary chapters. If you can check it out at a library, FAtehi's story deserves our attention.
November 16, 2012
This story is about two very different Nazanins. The Candaian Nazanin Afshin-Jam is a runner-up to Miss World. She is Iranian-born and in the world of fashion and music. She competed for Miss World in China and was wondering how she could make a difference using her media attention. Upon the hundreds of e-mails she received was one from an Iranian teenager named Nazanin who was in prison because she had killed a man.
The Iranian Nazanin Fatehi has grown up in poverty. She wants only to learn to read and become a teacher. She has gone to school sporadically because she must help her mother to raise the other children or to take care fo her father when ill. Nazanin is caught up in a violent situation when she is cornered in a field with some young men who are going to rape her. She defends herself with a knife and stabs the man to death. She is imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Nazanin Afshin-Jam must battle the United Nations and a myriad of other organizations to get the Iranian government to stay the execution. The perseverance and sheer work effort finally pays off.
We hear of these Muslim-based countries and their treatment of women. This story is but one but really brings home how little value is placed on the life of a female.
The Iranian Nazanin Fatehi has grown up in poverty. She wants only to learn to read and become a teacher. She has gone to school sporadically because she must help her mother to raise the other children or to take care fo her father when ill. Nazanin is caught up in a violent situation when she is cornered in a field with some young men who are going to rape her. She defends herself with a knife and stabs the man to death. She is imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Nazanin Afshin-Jam must battle the United Nations and a myriad of other organizations to get the Iranian government to stay the execution. The perseverance and sheer work effort finally pays off.
We hear of these Muslim-based countries and their treatment of women. This story is but one but really brings home how little value is placed on the life of a female.
April 28, 2015
The story of the young Iranian woman Nazanin Fatehi really gives you an inside look into the hardship that some women in Iran face as they deal with a prejudiced regime where women are not equal under the law. The story of Afshin-Jam, a failed pop-singer/actress/beauty-queen runner-up turned human rights activist is less than inspiring and after reading the book and watching several interviews with Afshin-Jam, I find her and her writing to be childish and quite narcissistic. This book while telling the story of Fatehi, seems to promote Afshin-Jam's own perception of herself as a humanitarian and unmatched in her average achievements of obtaining a degree in IR and volunteering with the Red Cross. I think her part of the book can be summed up by someone trying desperately to be profound. From what I have read and seen of her comments, her own actual knowledge of Iranian history and Islam is very limited but in this book she was given help, so on that front it's okay. If the money were going to Fatehi from this book, I would buy it but otherwise it is a waste of your money reading Afshin-Jam's story which sounds like it is written by some airhead beauty queen desperate to be famous.
January 17, 2015
This book by Nazanin Afshin Jam MacKay and Susan McClelland is excellent. They tell the biographical stories of two women named Nazanin, one the author, and the other on death row in Iran, in parallel. While this is an unusual writing style I thought it worked well in this case. The book was excellent and provides important information focusing on the critical part of the case. The compare and contrast of the lives of these two women was very interesting. One who managed to escape Iran shortly after the Shah was overthrown, and the other, who grew in this regime. The book exposes the totalitarian abuses that exist in that country (and even shows some of the abuses in China) and compares the life of Nazanin who lives in Iran, to the author Nazanin who lives in Canada. I highly recommend this book.
April 1, 2013
Afshin-Jam doesn't write well. Often the words feel very contrived to force information into the reader. However her story is engaging. Alternating chapters between an Iran woman raised in the safety of middle class Canada and a teen horribly abused because she is, well, because she is a she, a Kurd in Iran and among the poorest of the poor.
The details of the Kurdish teen are beyond heartbreaking. This book is not for the faint of heart. Every kind of abuse you can think of happens to this girl from all kinds of people. One member of our book club didn't read it because she didn't think she could handle the rape scene. The heart wrenching part really is Nazanin's whole young life.
This true story is a real eye opener. No longer can the world claim ignorance.
The details of the Kurdish teen are beyond heartbreaking. This book is not for the faint of heart. Every kind of abuse you can think of happens to this girl from all kinds of people. One member of our book club didn't read it because she didn't think she could handle the rape scene. The heart wrenching part really is Nazanin's whole young life.
This true story is a real eye opener. No longer can the world claim ignorance.
October 19, 2012
This is a good book that once again exposes the brutal realities of being a girl/woman in Islamic nations such as Iran. This book follows the life of a girl, Nazanin, in Iran and how she ends up in prison on death row on false charges and testimony. It also follows the crusade by another Nazanin, a Canadian, who does her best to get Nazanin released from prison. Although Nazanin is finally released, she and her family later disappear without a trace. We are left not sure if they went into hiding or were done away with. At the end of the book it is clear that these individual campaigns will not cause changes within the system and that the system itself must be overthrown. Although a little anticlimactic at the end, this was a good book.
March 15, 2013
I appreciated the author's desire to make a difference in the world and recognizing the blessings and gifts that were given to her to do that. Her openness about her faith and how it led her in her decision to act on this humanitarian cause was refreshing. I was truly inspired by this story to look at the gifts and blessings I have been given and to see how they can be used to help others.
August 20, 2013
Excellent! True story of two women named Nazanin--one an Iranian teenager, another a Canadian beauty queen. Even though it's non-fiction, it reads like a novel. Proof that one person can make changes!!
October 16, 2012
Loved this. Sharia law is crazy and hard To imagine humans in some places haven't evolved at all. Typical of men.
Great book and motivating to act and make a difference!
December 20, 2014
Impossible to put down! Such a sad story, not an unusual one, unfortunately.
January 11, 2015
As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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