Pomegranate Sky

by Louise Soraya Black

Winner of the Virginia Prize for Fiction in 2009. When Layla's cousin who is visiting from America is arrested by the Komiteh, events unfold that lead to the revelation of Layla's illicit affair with her art teacher. Should she stay and risk everything or should she leave and start fresh in a new country?

Genres: Iran

236 pages, Paperback

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!