Dancing To The Darkest Light: A Remarkable True Story of Life, Its Extreme Challenges and Triumph Over the Ultimate Heartbreak

by Soheila Adelipour

"He who has a 'why' to live for can bear almost any 'how.'" But how to go on when all that you live for and love is taken, in blow after agonizing blow? ‘Dancing To The Darkest Light’ tackles the big questions in a tale of finding grace in a brutally unkind world. It is the heartwarming saga of a loving family’s struggle starting in 1950’s Iran. You will never look at life in the same way once you read this book. Soheila’s peaceful life is shattered by the revolution and dangerous circumstances in 1978, while a student at Pahlavi University. The family is forced to flee the country and leave everything behind. Soheila gets married, settles in New York. Raises four sons and managers her life and deals with the everyday ups and downs. Her three sisters also establish careers and families of their own, while the apple of the family’s eye, her brother, Fariborz, becomes a sought-after neurosurgeon. They are the absolute embodiment of the American dream, until strategy strikes. Soheila is faced by the most heart-wrenching tragedy any parent can face. She thinks she has seen the worst until her brother and sister’s battles with life start. She vows to save her brother even if that means facing death herself. She agrees to do the impossible and the ‘hero’s journey’ starts. Dancing To The Darkest Light is a memoir of survival, how one sister, daughter and mother finds reason to go on after the most crushing loses imaginable and still sees beauty in life. It is a heartwarming family saga and an unforgettable account of faith and not just love, but unconditional love. This book is an inspiring, motivating, positive, wise and life-changing story.

364 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[bobby boskoff]

As someone who experienced recent loss, this book was recommended to me and I’m so glad I decided to give it a read.

The author’s journey hasn’t been an easy one (no spoilers there, the title sums it up perfectly) and there are lessons of resilience for us all. While the stories of loss are undoubtedly tragic and heartbreaking, the book focuses largely on how precious our time on this earth is.

The author’s journey really puts things in perspective and makes you (or at least me!) realize to savor every day with your loved ones. An absolutely beautiful read.

[Naomi Ratner Oshry]

Dancing To The Darkest Light is one of the best books I've ever read - an amazing story about overcoming tragedy. I quickly turned page after page - I couldn't get enough of this incredible true story - and felt deeply connected to the author and her family members. I hoped against all the odds that Fariborz will live and cried like one of my own family members died after reading about a son's horrible and unfair death.

Adelipour shares her difficult story, and despite the horrific tragedies she encountered, her positive attitude and optimism are exemplary, overcoming the worst.

Adelipour shares her experience during the revolution in Iran, which brought shivers to me. It was like I was there, and was experiencing it with her.

She also writes about the tragic death of her son - a day which I remember well, as I live outside Boston and remember the news - a heartbreaking, most unexpected experience for any mother, which she turns into something positive by starting a foundation in his name.

The inspiring author showcases how one can triumph over the ultimate heartbreak - a true story that everyone should read.

[Pat Lence]

Very well expressed. Not helpful

I appreciate all the struggles this family went through. She shared her pain and joy very vividly. The reader, having gone through similar events could easily relate. While she explained what lessons about life she had learned through all of this, I didn’t find them helpful in my own struggles. The book description indicated that this story was about faith. I was disappointed when there wasn’t mention of her reliance on God. I get that she was angry with the gods (?), but that she felt He was purposely out to hurt her, didn’t tell me how her faith got her through this. Sorry I spent so much time reading it.

[Fared Shafinury]

As the recent COVID-19 crisis has unfolded, many of us unfortunately will have known at least someone who has or will lose a loved one. It is inevitable that we as humans will suffer in this life time. Nevertheless, after reading Adelipour’s Dancing to the Darkest Light, I was able to see human resilience at its best. The alchemical process of turning tragedy into art, and allowing emotions to funnel throughout the soul, has shown me the route one can take in self purification. I applaud this beautifully intimate written story of life, love, and the inevitable loss that comes with the beauty of existence. I highly recommend this.

[Jacklin Soleimani]

The unthinkable events in Soheila's life propels her to be an incredibly courages warrior.
For the love of family, with enduring hope upon hope, this book reveals the raw truth of Soheila quest to keep fighting a good fight until the very end. Powerful emotions are shared in a well written book that’s hard to put down. Highly recommended read on a truly amazing woman who is such an inspiration as she heroic, shedding continuous light on darkness.
Thank you for sharing your unimaginable life experiences.
Jacklin Soleimani

[Maya]

This book is both heartbreaking and bittersweet. Dancing to the Darkest Light is an incredibly inspiring story of a young woman who has overcome tragedy and loss and in spite of it all, stayed hopeful and optimistic about the future. I deeply admire Soheila for how she has tackled all of the obstacles in her path and honored those she has loved and lost. You won't regret picking up this book, but be prepared to have some kleenex and tea with you. Soheila's vivid and enlightening tale is unforgettable, don't miss out on it!

[Carol]

A warrior’s heart revealed

Soheila Aledelipor’s true life story and journey reveals what drives a warriors heart to victory- it is love and never giving up - it is faith and hope but the greatest of all is love. She held on to these three for her victory. This book although heart breaking has so much beauty and encouragement to those who are struggling and asking why. In her own journey she finds peace with the unknown.. we all can learn from her courage.

[Eleanor]

This is a memoir of a very sensitive woman who lived through a great deal of turbulence and emerged even stronger and more spiritually centered. She left Iran due to turmoil and danger and came to the US, where she rebuilt her life together with her family, married and had children. Sadly, she lost her sister, brother, and son. The book is a moving account of her emotional and spiritual journey and ability to ultimately emerge and dance with the light within the darkness that she had sustained.

[Lauren Roshan]

This is much more than a memoir—it is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there can still be light. Beautifully moving, inspiring, and incredibly human. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true stories that make you think, feel, and see life a little differently.

Definitely one of those books you finish and immediately want to tell someone else to read. Highly recommend! 💕

[Kevin Letters]

Appreciate the author putting her heart and soul into the book. Very interesting read.

[Armaghan Ghassemi]

A beautiful book about, love, grief and hope. Everyone will receive the lesson learned from pain and loss differently, and this book it’s all about that: the lesson of life.

[Kelly Gegg]

Life is hard - we all know this—the rich, famous, poor, struggling. We have this tendency, as humans, to think that we're the only ones with problems. We believe that the grass is always greener on the other side. That person has it so much easier than we do. The list goes on and on.

Soheila Adelipour has been through hell and somehow managed to come out on the other side. Her scars run deep; her sorrow is never-ending. However, day to day, she overcomes and finds the strength to keep going on. To continue being a beacon of light to others who find themselves in the dark. She dances and smiles and enjoys what she does have.

This book, Dancing to the Darkest Light, touched me to my very core. I laughed, I giggled, I cried, and my heart broke. Words can't do justice the feelings that came over me when I read Soheila's life's journey.

[Shirin Shahery]

I found this book fascinating. The author’s sincerity and unique sense of humor is touching and inspirational.
Once you start reading, It’s hard to put it down. The last chapter was the culmination of her life lessons, generously shared. The authors strength and courage in choosing life (light) over darkness, and her new sense of purpose is admirable. It will give you a new perspective about life.

[Roya Zand]

Moving, inspiring.....a powerful look into the extraordinary ups and downs of life, and how to overcome them. Soheila is an inspiration, and truly shows us the meaning of courage. You will not want to put it down!!!!

[Fariba]

Someone with this willpower, should be admired
I highly recommend this book

[Hilda Gershoony]

This book was truest amazing and an inspirational true story about love, loss and perseverance. Definitely read this if you haven’t. It will change your life

[ChrisB]

Inspirational and powerful. I loved this book.

[Samuel Eshaghoff]

This story walks you through--detail for detail--a rollercoaster series of events that would have irreparably destroyed most people. However, when you learn about the author's resolve and takeaways from her boxing match with the universe, you are forced to adopt a new perspective about life and its curveballs. Highly recommend.

[Shabnam Kimia]

I picked up Dancing To The Darkest Light expecting to read a chronical of tragedies visited upon a family and hoping to find inspiration in the strength of the author in living through them. But I found the book to be so much more. Soheila's story begins in my native Iran, in the same decade that I was born, and it continues in America, my adopted country. She and I lived in the same parts of the world around the same time and yet so much of the story she tells is new, fresh and engaging to me. Her account of the revolution as she experienced on the university campus in Shiraz and then in Tehran is revetting. Soheila's narrative of even the darkest chapters is told authentically yet sweetly, her humor is soothing and the reader can sense the same energy that has kept her dancing all through her life moving through the words and redefining the essence of the story, tragedies and all.
It was a very good read.

[Elisabet]

I read a lot of fiction, sometimes find biographies a bit intense and self-serving. I started this one with a bit of trepidation and two days later, when I finished it, I was in awe of this woman. She turns her life story into a true dance to the darkest light. From her happy early years in Iran, through the narrow escape in 1979 to the US, and the sad, heart wrenching events that befall her and her family in the years that follow, she is a candid, colorful, thoughtful and honest storyteller. But, the piece de resistance is that, knowing or unknowingly, she writes the best book on self-help we could all hope to read. Her wit hides her depth, her fun spirit hides her seriousness, her beauty hides her incredible courage and wisdom. At the end, one not only admires her but wants to emulate and follow her steps in creating the best world for ourselves in spite of the obstacles life puts along the way.

[Lisa Cohen]

This is an incredible story, hard to believe a reality, of a very strong and modern woman and her life filled with highs and lows. Soheila takes on the journey of her life from Iran to New York to Los Angeles. This book will speak to you as a mother, wife, and daughter. It will speak to you if you are part of a close-knit family or a tightly bound community. This book shows us strength through extreme successive and relentless challenges. Soheila teaches us that no matter what happens, it is important to get up and go, and to maintain humor and enjoy life throughout the way. I loved this boo, highly recommend it, a definite page turner.

[Michelle]

I finished this book in one sitting and couldn’t stop thinking about this warrior, Soheila. What a beautifully written and engaging book about a woman’s life, the darkness and heartbreak that the faces, and how she finds the courage to keep her head up and face the world with a force. I laughed, cried, and felt her pain and was also rooting for her. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read about a heroin. If you thought you knew what strength looks like, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Bravo!

[Joe Jimenez]

My daughter had bought the book on the recommendation of someone whom had attended a talk by the author. After she had read it, she encouraged me to read it. I am so very glad I did. A human story about a very strong immigrant with the depth of multiple generations, struggles, successes, tragedy and lots of family love. Well written, I feel I know this family and I am glad I went on this journey. You will shed tears, you will smile, laugh and it will validate the strength of the human spirit.

[Liza]

What an epic story. You will be transported from the streets of Iran to New York for a story filled with love, loss and sacrifice with this amazing author. And yet, in the end, you will feel her power and strength and be inspired. A quick read with a lot of wit. I highly recommend!

[Kelly Kerrigan]

I could not put this book down! From the very first page I felt as though I was right there. Soheila’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. A wonderful message of love, loss, family and finding joy. This book will touch your heart. I highly recommend it.

[John Snow]

this was a book a friend forced me to read. from the second i opened it i was unable to put it down. i have no words for the emotions this book made me feel.

must read

[Yassi]

A very well written story of an amazing woman that will inspire you for ever, to love life and choose to see the beauty of it, even when life brings the out most misfortune.

[Arya Adelipour]

Truly an inspirational read! The heart wrenching experiences of the author teaches us how to push forward at our lowest points. Emotional, heartwarming and authentic.