A Door Between Us

by Ehsaneh Sadr

Weddings always have their fair share of drama, but this one comes on the heels of the highly controversial 2009 Iranian election and ensuing Green Wave protests.

When the matriarch of Sarah's family arranged her marriage to Ali, it was with the intention of uniting two compatible families. However, as the 2009 election becomes contentious, political differences emerge and Sarah's conservative family tries to call off the wedding. Sarah and Ali, however, have fallen in love and, against the wishes of their parents, insist on going through with the marriage.

Sarah's cousin, Sadegh, is a staunch supporter of the government and a member of the Baseej, the volunteer militia tasked with arresting protestors and shutting down speech against the regime. Meanwhile, Ali's sister, Azar, is an activist, a divorce attorney, and a passionate Green Wave supporter, trying to enact change in a way that many Iranians see as inflammatory. When Sarah impulsively shelters a protestor in their car on the drive home from her wedding, she sets off a chain of events that can either unmask the government's brutality or ruin them all.

Sarah, Sadegh, and Azar's stories weave together in an unflinching, humorous, and at times terrifying story that demonstrates that, even as the world is falling apart around us, life goes on.

Genres: Fiction, Iran, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult, Middle East

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Ehsaneh Sadr is an Iranian-American novelist and activist with a PhD in International Relations. She has worked, in various capacities, on campaigns related to Palestinian human rights, Iranian sanctions, access to credit for rural villagers, and safe spaces for children in crisis. She currently works with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to create the culture and infrastructure changes needed to support a shift away from carbon-based modes of transportation.

Ehsaneh and her five brothers grew up in Tehran, Salt Lake City, and a Maryland suburb of DC with a Mormon American mother and a Muslim Iranian father who kept the family active in both religious communities. In her early twenties, Ehsaneh moved to Iran to work on urban and rural poverty alleviation efforts with local NGOs as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Reconstruction Jihad.

Ehsaneh lives in Northern California with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wrote A Door Between Us to make it harder to bomb Iran.” - Ehsaneh Sadr

I already had this book on my TBR, but when I read that statement I decided to bump it to the front of the list.

I didn’t know what to expect from A Door Between Us. As a debut, there weren’t any other books by the author I could compare it against. All I really knew was the setting and backdrop: the aftermath of the 2009 Iranian election. The Green Wave or Green Movement was completely new information to me; I had never heard of it before. For anyone else who’s going into this book without much background knowledge or that’s unfamiliar with Iranian customs, I’m happy to report that you do not need any of that before beginning. Sadr weaves history and context into any situation that calls for it, so there won’t be any frantic Googling to understand what’s happened.

The novel starts at the wedding of Sarah to her husband, Ali. Tensions have been bubbling in the months leading up to it, and they eventually spill over during the ceremony. Ali’s sister, Azar, and her husband, Ibrahim, are actively speaking against an authoritarian government, while Sarah’s family are loyalists to the current leadership. Her cousin, Sadegh, is even a member of the Baseej, a state-sanctioned policing force that is known for operating outside of the law.

Iran is a country that almost every American ‘knows‘, but without actually knowing much of anything about. What we know is that they’re a country that the US has almost constant friction with. The mindset that we’re the good guys and they’re the bad guys is a hard one to break out of. But part of what struck me the most in this book was how, well, familiar a lot of the conflicts felt. The protesting against a corrupt regime, political disagreements tearing families apart, so much of what I read about Iran in 2009 echos what’s happening in the US in 2020.

The Hojjati family, in particular, is so reminiscent of nearly every conservative religious family I’ve encountered, regardless of faith. They were an incredibly frustrating group of people to follow. There’s of course the members of the family who are true-believers in whatever the cause may be, but then there are those who somehow think that these topics have nothing to do with them. They are so insulated from the realities of the world that they assume by just keeping to themselves and not speaking up, they’ll magically be immune to its effects. There are no bystanders in a revolution. By not ‘choosing a side’, they are in fact supporting those currently in power.

Eventually, though, everyone is pulled into a high-stakes chain of events that can’t be deterred. Family ties and loyalties are tested, and not everyone makes it through to fight another day. The pacing is taut. Though not a thriller, there’s ample tension and action. I felt anxious for characters who were suddenly thrust into a dangerous situation. It wasn’t lost on me that these characters, though fictional, are likely rooted in the experiences of real people.

I think with A Door Between Us, Ehsaneh Sadr succeeds in her goal. Bombing Iran doesn’t hurt the people that our leaders think it does. That show of violence only reinforces the narrative of the Iranian government—that all Americans want to do is destroy them. Hopefully by better understanding one another, there may be more opportunities in the future to heal and move forward.


*Thanks to Blackstone Publishing & Netgalley for an advance copy!

[daria ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

in honor of nowruz (aka the persian new year), i went ahead and recommended this and many other persian reads here: https://youtu.be/Ipjcp_e0fOU

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So little is ever said or written about Iran, and that’s a tragedy. After the 2009 elections, many people took to the streets to protest the results. All decked in green hijabs, painted faces, clothes, and green fingers — thus the Green Movement was born. To be able to have a story told in a way that shows how everything impacts everyone in the country during that important time of Iran’s history, not just the supporters of the movement but everyone is important to see. It shows why everyone should care. Not just those who support or didn’t support the movement and, on a larger scale, why everyone around the world should care. The emotions are real, the people are real, and that doesn’t change no matter where in the world you are.

This book starts at a wedding between Sarah and Ali. Their families clash when it comes to political beliefs. This may not seem like a big deal but, as is often said amongst Iranians, when two people marry, it’s actually two families getting married. Everyone is involved, from the process before (the khastegari, which is briefly mentioned) to the exchanging of vows, and they’re forever intertwined. So this is a big deal. On their way back from the wedding, with all the streets a mess due to the protests happening post-election, Sarah makes a decision that impacts everyone in ways no one could ever imagine — she lets a protestor hide in the car her and Ali are driving in to get home from the wedding. Without giving too much of the plot away, we see how this one decision changes Sarah and Ali’s life, but their families as well. Sadegh, Sarah’s cousin, volunteers for the government that is trying to shut down or quiet down protests. Ali’s sister, a divorce lawyer who’s trying to make an even bigger difference than what she already does by saving women from abusive or awful homes, is also involved with the protests — she attends them, sometimes with her two children. And, much like how families marry each other during weddings, every small thing impacts families rather than individuals (Iranians are very family-oriented, it’s a blessing and a curse). We see how this one action leads to another and another and how lives are changed and beliefs are shaken. I love how, without giving spoilers, the story, while progressing and changing, also sort of comes full circle.

Overall, this was an interesting read. I am in the unique position of having visited Iran and having actually been there during the Green Movement. A lot of things that went on in the book or just the cultural things that were mentioned made total sense to me or felt like a recap of things I’ve already seen. I’m not quite sure how but I do think it’s definitely interesting to read about. I loved getting to see little Iranian things — Sadegh cutting up fruit and tarofing (offering to those around him out of respect and expressing one’s love) it to everyone just because he himself wanted fruits. When the girl is standing in front of Sarah and Ali’s car on their way back from the wedding before Sarah decides to let her in and she’s becoming resigned to her fate of getting caught, she gives this slight nod in greeting when she catches their eyes. It’s such an Iranian thing it somehow made my heart melt and tear up a little. I wanted more of that. More of that magic, more of the things that make Iran and Iranians special (because oh boy does this show the bad things clearly). I feel like half the reason I was so intrigued was because I was homesick for my family and friends, for the streets of Iran. I wanted more of that Iranian feel, but the little gems I got were great.

Some things may have required a little more explanation for the people unfamiliar with Iranian words or culture. A lot of things aren’t translated (such as chador, sigheh, sofreh, fitneh, etc.). For me, someone who often speaks with a mix of both Farsi and English amongst close friends and family, this felt very authentic and flowed naturally (to the point where I might have missed a few) but for others, this may be an issue. Maybe a glossary or something at the end of the book (or a footnote at the bottom fo the page) would be helpful? Then, in contrast, some things were translated awkwardly within the text. This might be personal preference, but I think some things such as endearments might flow better if they were just left in Farsi and, once again provided as a footnote or endnote of some sort. I might be biased because I already understand what’s being said, but I think it flows and sounds a little better. It’s not really a big deal but just a little thing I noticed that made the writing feel a little choppy (imagine reading the same thing twice in a sentence — that’s essentially what it feels like when you can understand both languages).

I appreciated how the author tries to tell the story without explicitly taking a side. There are good people, there are awful people, there are morally grey people, and there are those who are lost and trying to find their way (or those who purposefully remain lost because it’s safer). I wasn’t sure what to expect. There are some portrayals that had me wanting to bang my head against a wall in anger or annoyance because they seemed almost like caricatures they were so extremely awful but the truth is, these people do exist. I wish the opposite kind of person was also shown. Or more morally grey characters. My favorite character is the one I least expected and it’s because of the way they start off one way and then start questioning. I really enjoyed seeing that character’s trajectory and development. Whenever the story was focused around this character, it was really great to read. Most of my favorite parts were due to this character (I’m trying to be vague for the sake of spoilers, so you can appreciate the journey as well!) and I wish we could see more of that. I appreciated that while religion was a contentious topic, it wasn’t a question of whether or not religion is good or bad, but how the implementation was wrong. “ … true Islam was more easily found in America, where it was shorn of cultural influences that polluted its pure essence.” I loved that. I’ve seen this firsthand. I really appreciated that the book highlights that even a perfect system can be perverted by bad people. The question from there is — what now? And what’s the point? In which we got a response from an unexpected place.

“That’s what they want you to think… resistance isn’t only about pouring into the street. Their greatest success is when they can destroy people from the inside and make them turn on themselves and forget who they are. That’s what you need to resist!”

The whole time, I kept wondering who the main character(s) were. I went back and forth, thinking this book was going to be a love story set during the time of the Green Movement, but this was not that at all. It was more than that but I think in trying to tell all the stories at once, it kind of lost sight of it too. Or maybe that was the point, that despite a movement going on, life, too, goes on. I think the true gems of the book are Azar and the aforementioned character who grows. I loved when their paths crossed, I love how often their paths nearly crossed, and I really appreciate how much they both grew and strengthened despite how absolutely different their paths were. It was wonderful to see.

I found myself disliking (or flat out hating) many of the characters though. I have a note I wrote down as I was reading that says, and I quote “I basically hate everyone and don’t really find myself rooting for anyone besides Azar who I wish to see more of.” Any time other people were mentioned, I’d be so frustrated or angry I’d want to stop reading altogether sometimes (yeah, it got that bad at one point). I strongly disliked Sarah, who I found to either be too weak-willed at some points or overly strong-willed at others and instead of showing growth, because it goes so back and forth, it seems like an inconsistent character. I found her love for Ali to feel false and I so wanted to root for them! There is a misunderstanding that happens that I do not understand at all because of how easily it could have been avoided and it just … gets brushed over like it’s nothing when it really is a big deal. Also, at one point, it’s mentioned Sarah has a brother and I was completely in shock because the first I read of him was basically three-fourths of the way into the book, where it’s written she passes by his empty room. I think the fact that there were so many characters involved was important, but it also led to the detracting of the proper fleshing out of some. I’d really liked to have seen more of Azar’s husband Ibrahim because anything with him mentioned was also wonderful.

Please be aware that this story does contain a few scenes or mentionings of torture that were incredibly difficult for me to read. I can’t necessarily say they were excessive because I don’t think they were but it was just very hard to read, to the point where I shut my laptop and walked away for a bit. Maybe it’s because I saw these people as actual people? Either way, it’s not easy. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it kind of hits you at how awful it is and shocking because of how unexpected it is too. A side note that I don’t know where else to put — I’m not quite sure I understand the significance of all the quotes at the beginning of chapters. Sometimes I can sort of get the gist, I feel like the quotes were there to help set the tone, but I’d prefer a stronger tie-in if possible.

Near the end, we get a quote I really appreciated. It’s mentioned lightly, almost in passing but it’s so important — “… the power to make choices carried with it the responsibility to deal with the consequences.” Another way this story comes full circle. Choices are important. Everyone makes choices in this book that impact others, some more important than others. Some seem so innocuous you think it not even worth mentioning until you see the ripple effect. Sarah let someone into their car and changed everyone’s lives. That choice was important. The choices others made were important. How they dealt with those choices is just as important, if not more so. That is what differentiates Sarah (and Ali) from a lot fo the other characters — there was no follow-through. But for the characters who did follow their choices all the way to their consequences, it was great to read and see.

Please note that I received an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Zayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading about different cultures and their traditions, tho i found many similarities between Iraninan and Pakistani culture while reading this book and exploring the dynamics of its characters
Super fast paced story which is quite rare when it comes to reading political fiction but it didn't feel dry or that it was dragging at any point and i couldn't put it down for a minute and finished it in a day
Reason for taking a star off is the rushed ending and how it felt a little too coincidental to be believable

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and love how the title itself resonates on so many levels! The setting was intriguing, in 2009 right after a controversial election in Iran that set off a wave of protests. Sarah and Ali had been betrothed before the election, but their families were on opposite sides of the political spectrum and many in the family wanted to stop the wedding because of the conflict, but the opening scene is that wedding. Because the culture and setting takes some explaining for a western reader please give the story a couple of chapters to warm up. I was a little bit frustrated by the explaining at first but was grateful for the grounding as the novel progressed. GREAT tension, unexpected humour and interesting characters. I love how many of the characters are vividly portrayed in non-hackneyed way. I also love the fact that nearly everyone is flawed. Bravery and humanity come out in surprising ways and from unexpected people. More than anything this is a story of principled and smart women who may live in a patriarchal society but still hold many of the reins. Fast-paced with commercial appeal.

Thank you, #netgalley for the e-review copy.

[Erica Chubbic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a vivid, romantic, tempestuous book about families, love, and the weight of a nation as it tries to rebuild itself in a better image. One of the things I liked best about it was how carefully and lovingly the author spun her characters so that I ended up feeling sympathy and warmth for even those family members who are not particularly likable.


I really enjoyed this story. I found myself thinking about the book and the whole world it created repeatedly: and that, to me, is one of the signs of an excellent book.

[Raheleh Abbasinejad]

There is an urge for over-explaining, over-simplifying, and falling into the "generalization" trap, with a lot of UNNECESSARY and irrelevant sexual references in this book that has let me down badly so far. The book is clearly just an answer to Western curiosity and thirst for an oriental reading, trying really hard to prove (to whom?) that people in Iran have sexual desires and can think sexually, etc (5+ times mentioning "corset" in the very first chapter, where it was talking about, for instance, increasing heartbeat).

I continue reading it and hope this all changes over the course of the book.

Just a side note: English-speaking Iranian fiction authors have to drop being "cultural interpreters" for Western readers whose jobs are shedding light on current Iranian life, and become storytellers, like all other non-American authors in the world. When I read a German/French/Italian/Russian/etc. novel, there is a lot I do not understand about the culture, the history, the references, but I do not expect the author to explain, let alone simplify, it to me. That is my responsibility to go read more, know more, dig deeper. This way I learn about and all the nuances. What I expect from an author is a good STORY. Novels like A Door Between Us are more of ethnographies (not good ones though), rather than novels.

[Kayla Calkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by my coworker! An NRDCer. Political thriller + family ties and intrigue in a country I wish I knew more about. Exciting, sweet, and a page turner.

[Monica Gayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! I was able to follow the story easily enough even though there were a lot of characters. There was enough 'drama/action/suspense' to hold my attention and make me want to keep coming back to read. And there were some really emotion-provoking scenes that had me screaming or cursing at various characters. It was hard to see how some people use religion or bring up ridiculous examples from prophets etc to justify their own wants.

Great book. I highly recommend!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and feel as if I have returned from a visit to friends in Iran because of the details and color provided in this beautifully written novel. The plot was thoroughly engaging and the characters were so clearly developed that I felt as if I had met them. I know they will stay with me for a long time as will my interest in a culture that one does not often get a chance to see up close. I highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing more from this incredible new author.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novel about an extended family in modern-day Iran. I was hooked from the first sentence--the writing is full of detail that helped me envision a world and culture I know very little about, and the plot is exciting from beginning to end. I feel so lucky to have caught an early glimpse of this fabulous book by a first-time author. Highly recommend!!!

[Mia | The Bookish Feminist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DOOR BETWEEN US is a stunning novel about finding love, navigating hardships, seeing commonality when you disagree about deeply important things, and turmoil in our communities. One of the reasons I was so drawn to ADBU was that I don't think I've read nearly enough books set in or about Iran and featuring Iranian people and voices. Ehsaneh Sadr did a remarkable job telling the story of Sarah, Ali, and their families. Sarah and Ali are newly married as the 2009 Green Wave elections in Iran take place, and their wedding, subsequent actions, and new perspectives trigger a chain of events that has the potential to be revolutionary - and dangerous.

I was captivated truly every page of this book. Sadr's voice comes through clearly, but the characters and their experiences and inner voices flow seamlessly; I was never once abruptly taken out of the novel because something didn't fit quite right or seem natural. I also really appreciated, and do in general, that, although there is some level of trauma and deep injustices happening in Iran and to its people, there is also a levity and humor included in ADBU. That's how we really operate as humans who live in community, so I think it's always such an honest and even more raw and vulnerable - and strong - way of portraying characters to portray ALL of them, not just the sides that are too precious for humor or any levity. Alongside that levity, though, is some much-needed education for the reader on the realities of politics in that era; I remember some of the headlines vividly, but I know I didn't dive deeply enough into the context back then. I'm grateful to Sadr for providing me with a jumping-off point to learn more about it now.

One really important facet of this book is the language. There are Farsi words scattered throughout the novel, and it sounds like a native speaker would. This is a really impactful tool in centering the Iranian person's experience and perspectives, and it worked beautifully. I also found the family chart at the beginning very helpful; it would be a lot easier to flip back and forth to in a physical copy, but that's certainly not anyone's fault!

Overall, this is a sweeping debut novel about equality, whose voices get heard, what makes a person family, and all of the things that bind us despite our differences. I can't recommend A DOOR BETWEEN US highly enough! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy. It was a delight!

[Lainey Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book! I read an interview where the author said she wanted to take the reader inside an Iranian family, to help us develop empathy for a culture, and for characters living a world outside our own, and in my opinion she 100% achieved this!

The author has one of those unique talents where she is able to make us feel empathy for both sides. I cared so much about the characters, two families split apart by their political beliefs during the Green Wave protests following Iran’s election in 2009.

What shone through more than anything was each character’s common humanity in dealing with a core dilemma: balancing what you see as right at a political and national level with making the best decisions for the safety and protection of your loved ones.
Setting the conflict around a forbidden marriage, and re-found family just serves to up the conflict. But what I loved the most was the author’s ability to absorb me into a world in which I’m unfamiliar. I may never worry about my chador being too slippery, or be unfamiliar with Iranian wedding traditions, but after this book I feel a step closer to understanding and caring about a culture and nation that can sometimes seem inscrutable. All my congrats to the author on achieving such a feat! This is a real page-turner where you care about each and every character.

[Cathy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms.Sadr gathers the reader to the dangers and delights of a contemporary Romeo and Juliet as the star crossed young couple navigate family disapproval of their love, and a society in upheaval. Her story took my breath away, as she spun through it a marvelous powerful message of family and the complexity of the societies and cultures we struggle to understand and wisely support and hold accountable. Highly recommend.

[Michelle P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! It's interesting and nuanced. It humanizes important Iranian history for a broader audience. Bravo!

[ALLISON SADR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an engaging fun read. Set in exotic Iran during one of its many chaotic political times since the Revolution in 1978, it tells a sweet story of starcrossed lovers entangled in cultural and political intrigues that threaten their happiness and very union. Good to the very surprising end.

[Holly Dagres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the 2009 post-election protests known as the Green Movement, A Door Between Us is an authentic and intelligent depiction of Iran beyond the headlines and a poignant story of families belonging to the most traditional elements of the Islamic Republic. Ehsaneh Sadr’s insightful debut, with its thoughtful social justice message, paints a very human and, at times, harrowing picture of a complex nation and a group of people rarely present in Western fiction.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading A Door Between Us and it was fantastic! I quickly found myself drawn into the story as the author wove together the lives of the many diverse and engaging characters. The characters were well developed and came across as real people reacting to situations that were often far beyond their comfort levels. The details of life in Iran, from the food and clothing to the bigger issues of religion in everyday life and the struggle for women in society were described in fascinating detail. Relationships among families were explored as part of a story line filled with suspense. As I neared the end of the book I couldn't see how the issues could possibly all be resolved, but despite my fears all of the plot lines were tied up and nothing was left hanging. I read it in just a couple of days - I didn't want to put it down. I found myself thinking about the characters after I was finished - always the sign of a great book. I'd highly recommend it to fans of any genre.

[Ainslee Crose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult, I mainly choose my books via review, word-of-mouth, etc, but growing up I selected books by wandering around the library and pulling books off the shelf that looked interesting. For nostalgia's sake, I still do that sometimes, and that's how I found this book. I'm glad I did. It was a fascinating and beautiful look at (fictional) life inside Iran (also brings my total of books read by authors from countries around the world to 62! Just 133 more to go!)

[A.H. Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haiku review:
Wonderful debut
Romeo and Juliet
Set in the Green Wave

[GiGi Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful journey! This was the perfect escape book for my SIP summer. Since I wasn't able to physically go on planned trips, my mind was able to journey to a different place and experience a different life for a bit. The author has many layers to enrich the experience. You can see, smell, taste and feel the setting. The characters are many layered as well and distinct so that you can see and hear them in your mind's eye and ear. In fact, I felt so transported that I yearn to see this played out on screen as a series on HBO, NetFlix, Amazon, etc.. I hope someone makes this a reality.

Aside from that, the story had me hooked from the first chapter. The second chapter had yet a different cliff hanger so each chapter left me asking, "I can't believe that just happened!" and eagerly reading on to find out more. I was glued to the book until I had completely consumed it and I even think there are enough interesting characters that still have stories to tell so I hope the author will consider a sequel or prequel to fully explore them.

A final observation is that the story shows how small, petty vengeances result in disastrous outcomes, like how tiny pin pricks can pop giant balloons or small matches can light forest fires. It made me reflect on how important it is to choose your words and actions carefully because you never know where they might lead, especially if you are in A Door Between Us.

[Becky Divinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was so engaging - I had a hard time putting it down when I needed to go to bed. Characters were well-developed and I felt drawn into their lives. I felt I was "put into their shoes" which helped me better understand the complexity of the situation and see where both sides might be coming from.

I liked how the author taught me about Iranian culture in an interesting manner which is compelling me to want to know more, too. Her descriptions of food helped me imagine it in front of me, too.

One morning, after reading a large portion of the book the night before, I woke up, and my first thoughts of the day were about the book. However, in my groggy state, I didn't realize it was the book I was thinking about - I thought it was a movie I was thinking about. As I further woke up, I realized it was this book. So - I believe the author did a great job in writing something that I'm already imagining as a movie!

I highly recommend this book. Also, the way it's laid out, makes it a great selection for a book club read.

[Lisa Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tenderly-told, modern story of Iran that deserves wide attention.

Sadr offers a glimpse into two families in present-day Tehran -- one more traditional that supports the government and another more revolutionary that support democratic reform -- told through the lens of one couple's marriage. The novel begins with Sarah and Ali's wedding, yet moves quickly into the wider story of a country split between those fighting for things to stay the same versus those fighting for change, and the personal toll that results.

I loved how each chapter was introduced by a news clip, taken from actual events during the Green Revolution in 2009. These set the scene and provided wider context for the very personal stories that unfold.

Though it would be tempting to look at these two families and Iran in general as either black or white, good or bad, Sadr reminds us throughout that it is not that easy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Iran, current events, historical fiction and family sagas.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written, and the characters are complex and feel genuinely human: they say one thing but do another, they are hypocrites, they cover up lies, but they also love deeply...they love their God, their families, their country. Without delving into the political complexities, Sadr still captures the way that citizens fight for what they believe is good despite the potential consequences. She weaves fear and corruption into the character’s thoughts, and the domineering government lurks in all of the shadows . She also shows that, despite political upheaval, life does continue on.
This is one of those novels you think about long after you’ve read the last page — a delicious story.

[Annemarie Hoime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting to the point of the book where I fully understand why the author gave the book a certain title. Throughout the book you understand the tensions, miscommunications, familial obligations that come between the characters of the book represent the title well...

BUT this:
"One of Ibrahim's favorite poems came to her--Why struggle to open a door between us when the whole wall is an illusion?...Azar thought with a sudden aha of insight, everyone in the world was connected despite the illusion of separation one felt due to distance or even different religions, cultures and political views."

Ugh. I love it. I loved this book. I loved how the author genuinely represented people for the morally gray beings we are. The world is not black and white as some would have us believe. Break down those barriers for they are merely constructs set up to keep us from genuine connection to one another.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drama, romance, suspense, heartache, intrigue, life is messy, things are often not what they seem, assumptions can be dangerous, some people learn, some people don't learn -- a nuanced view into a tense time which also gives you a good sense of what it is like to live in Tehran (culture, people) as well as many of the challenges that Iran faces. Engaging story (after a chapter or two) that I did not want to put down. I finished it in one sitting (with just a short interruption to make & eat dinner).

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story about two Iranian families who come together during turbulent times in Iran, despite the many secrets and lies that persist around each of their family members. References are made throughout the story regarding the 2009 election and the many protests and demonstrations that take place as a result.

A Door Between Us is well-written and interesting. The individual characters are intertwined in such a way that made the book insightful and believable. I admired how the author also included characters who were true activists wanting to help their country, while also ending human rights abuses.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher.

[Anne Fenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is about life in 2009-10 Iran . The story is set during years of protest about the government, shown through the lives of two families. I liked the format, interspersing quotes from the times leading into changing points of view. There’s plenty of action, a good range of characters and the author has a background adding authenticity. It’s very interesting to have Iranian culture explored.

[Vanessa Funk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially found this book hard to get into as there was a lot of explanation around the current political/societal times and so many names to keep straight. But once I got past that, I found the plot and characters intriguing, although a little tragic at times. I enjoyed switching between the three narrators as their viewpoints and beliefs were so diverse and rounded out the story.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book set during the turmoil of 2009 Iranian election, families, love, political upheaval and stamping down any opposition. I love books like this that tell about the event through the lives of people in the area.