Pomegranate Sky

by Louise Soraya Black, Rebecca Gillieron (Editor)

WINNER OF THE VIRGINIA PRIZE FOR FICTION Living in post-revolutionary Tehran, Layla refuses to bow to the ayatollahs’ rules, resisting her mother’s relentless attempts to find her a suitable husband. Instead, she embarks on an illicit affair with her art teacher, Keyvan, and they tentatively imagine a future together.But the sudden death of her uncle, an outspoken journalist, raises many unanswered questions and when Layla’s cousin, who is visiting from America, is arrested by the morality police, the komiteh, Layla’s plans for the future begin to unravel. “I was totally captivated by this novel. Layla is torn between her heart and the restrictions of her culture. She obeys her heart though not without a price. This wonderfully poetic story keeps you hooked right to the very end.”  -  Stephanie Hale, author and broadcaster   “a bittersweet tale of betrayed trust and ruptured innocence… the feel for colour and language is vibrant” - featured in The  Guardian first novel selection   “Vividly written, fresh and eloquent, a girl’s poignant tale of love and menace in contemporary Iran.” -  Fay Weldon   “I loved this book. It gives you real insight into the world of educated middle-class Iranians in the early 21st century. We are so used to the Iranians we meet in the UK that we do not realise how hard it is to live under their political regime at home. A joy to read.” -  www.openingthebook.com   Louise Soraya Black Born in England in 1977 to an English mother and Iranian father. Her father worked for UNICEF so she spent 17 years living overseas, in countries including Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. In spite of all this travel, she had strong the family spent their summers in England and winter holidays in Iran.She began an English degree at University College London, but after a year switched to Law. She spent 8 years in corporate law but was unfulfilled so began writing in her spare time. She felt it was important to write about Iran because Iran is portrayed in the media as a bleak and oppressive place.  She wanted to show Iran as a beautiful country, where the food is delicious, and Iranians are warm and hospitable. And while the media tends to paint a portrait of Iranian women as submissive and voiceless, this was not at all her experience so she created resilient and brave female characters in her novel.She had just about given up hope of finding a publisher for this novel, when she found out that Pomegranate Sky had won the Virginia Prize, a new literary prize for unpublished women writers. She was astonished and overjoyed, particularly when the novel received excellent reviews. After the birth of her son, she didn't return to law and instead, decided to focus on her writing. She has just completed her second novel.

Genres: Iran

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2010

Reviews

[Valentina Sharka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devo dire che è un buon libro ambientato a Tehran. La protagonista principale è Layla, ma vediamo il protrarsi della vicenda anche da altri punti di vista della sua famiglia. A un certo punto la trama ha preso un ritmo in cui era impossibile staccarsi dalle pagine finché non avevi finito il libro (infatti ho letto circa metà libro in una sera). Super consigliato se volete una storia ambientata in un paese di cui conoscete poco come l'Iran

[Boomerang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The voice of a young Muslim woman rebelling against her upbringing isn't often expressed in novels so this was new to me... the author writes beautifully about the landscapes of Iran where it's set and there's a scene in the square that captures the desire of the people for fun - a natural exuberance that can't be stamped out by the morality police.. reminds me of the Handmaid's Tale in some ways by Margaret Atwood.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book an absorbing look at life in present day Iran for a woman who just wants to have the freedom that we in the west have grown up with and take for granted. Layla's mother is determined to pick out a suitable husband for her and Layla is just as determined to resist her mother's efforts. She defies her mother and flouts the ayatollah's rules when she has an illicit affair with her art teacher, Keyvan. With the death of her beloved uncle and the arrest of her cousin visiting from America by the morality police (the komiteh) her world is turned upside down, family secrets are revealed and what of the life she imagined with Keyvan?

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing and heart-wrenching coming of age tale that held me enthralled from start to finish. I was unable to put the book down. Well worth a second read (and a third).

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il cielo color melograno che ci porta in una famiglia benestante iraniana pre e post rivoluzione islamica.
Le vicende, viste principalmente attraverso gli occhi della protagonista Layla, sono ambientate tra la fine degli anni '70 e il 2001. Da ogni pagina trasuda il clima di censura e paranoia che ha ammantato la società iraniana sia ai tempi dello scià che adesso, con la stampa pesantemente controllata, la difficoltà a procurarsi libri stranieri e il divieto di ascoltare musica pop.
Il romanzo è una breve saga familiare, molto avvincente e in cui è facile buttarsi a capofitto

[Layla Sabourian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this book a beautifully written story, but I couldn't help but love the heroine even more because she spells her name the same way I do. But beyond the name connection, the novel is a stunning exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of life. If you're looking for a book that helps you understand the lives of women in Iran more, Pomegranate Sky is the perfect pick.

[Starbarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book's ending with either make or break the experience for me. This story is beautiful, and it's ending is even better.

[Tatiana Donneys · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much hype and did some speed reading to get it done with.

[Jane Armour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Iranian novel I’ve read and I loved it! Based in post-revolutionary Tehran, it follows the life of Layla who refuses to bow to the ayatollah’s strict regime, the dress code, the morality police, not knowing who you can trust. It harks back to the pre-revolution days when there was more freedom, opulence and wealth for some. It’s a captivating, beautifully written novel, at times terrifying, and I couldn’t put it down!