Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur and Translated by Faridoun Farrokh - #bookreview

The orchard, vibrantly green and with adobe walls, backed up against the village at one end and bordered the river at the other. It was an orchard mostly of sweet and sour cherries...

***

It has recently come to my attention that I must make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from the publisher. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

***

The Blurb

Women Without Men traces the interwoven destinies of five women – including a wealthy middle-aged housewife, a sex worker and a schoolteacher – as they arrive by different paths to live together in an abundant garden on the outskirts of Tehran.

Drawing on elements of Islamic mysticism and recent Iranian history, this unforgettable novel depicts women escaping the narrow confines of family and society, and imagines their future living in a world without men.

Translated from Persian by Faridoun Farrokh

My Review

Before I even begin my review of this short book, I want to acknowledge the author's courage and strength of character in the writing and publishing of this book. She had already been imprisoned for almost five years without charge. Following her release, she soon published this book and was imprisoned again.

This book contains a series of stories of Iranian women who have chosen to live their lives without men. In our western culture, this would not be considered outrageous, but in a patriarchal society such as Iran, this is unheard of and not without consequence.

The chapters about the five individual women are all interconnected and the author does a marvellous job of interweaving them. Indeed, the book has much to say about the friendship of women and the courage which these women portray.

Much of the narrative is based on mythological stories and the magical realism elements add to the story. There are many elements within the stories that many woman will identify with. It is a short but powerful novel that explores the expected role of Iranian women within society, and then turns it on it's head through folklore, family and society.

Publishing in the UK for the first time, it is no surprise that the book is an International Booker Prize longlist nominee and deservedly so. Ms Parsipur is a talented writer and it's thrilling to read her insights into feminism. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in Iranian history or feminism.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 0241792513

Publisher:  Penguin Classics

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  128 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Shahrnush Parsipur was born in Iran in 1946. She began her career as a writer of fiction and producer at Iranian National Television and Radio. She was imprisoned for nearly five years by the Islamist government without being formally charged. Shortly after her release, she published Women Without Men and was arrested and jailed again, this time for her frank and defiant portrayal of women’s sexuality.

While still banned in Iran, the novel became an underground best-seller there, and has been translated into many languages around the world. She is also the author of Touba and the Meaning of Night, among many other books, and now lives in exile in Northern California.

You can also find Shahrnush at:

Author Website

Instagram

(ARC and media courtesy of the publisher)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Witchcraft: A Graphic History: Stories of Wise Women, Healers and Magic by Lindsay Squire - #bookreview

 

'Every witch uses her magic differently. I use mine to heal people, while others ...'

'What do the others do!? Are there many different types of witches!?'

'Oh yes! Many ...'

The Blurb

Join Lindsay, a young and curious 19th-century lass, as she meets Biddy Early, the famous 'wise woman of County Clare', and learns all about the magickal arts – from which plants can be used to make healing poultices and potions, to how people dealt with the social and political stigma of practising witchcraft.

Biddy Early, who lived from 1798–1874 in Ireland, was by no means the first-ever witch, but she was the first to appear on the historical record. Before her, fears and superstitions surrounding practitioners of 'the nameless art' were too strong. It is said that Biddy took an apprenticeship with the 'good folk', sidhe or faeries, when she was very young, and it was from them that she learnt her skill as a healer.

Never one to accept monetary payment for the help she offered, Biddy would often swap home-brewed alcohol for her services, which in turn made her ramshackle cottage in Feakle a hub for the local community. When her little corner of the county drew the attention of the Catholic Church and the local authorities, things became very difficult for this unusual woman…

Encompassing self-empowerment, feminism, dealing with stigma and eco-spirituality, as well as plant magic, traditions, and green wisdom, Witchcraft: A Graphic History is a fresh take on an endlessly fascinating subject.

***

My Review

I read a graphic novel for the first time in 2022 and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the format. I am more of a words person and have always enjoyed reading prose. I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something a little different. At the time I wanted to read more graphic novels, but I had not found anything that sufficiently caught my attention until now.

This book has much to commend it. It tells the story of Biddy Early, a well known witch in the west of Ireland who was born in County Clare in 1798. The book does a great job of chronicling her life through words and illustrations and I could hardly put it down.

Not only does it focus on Biddy's life but also explains about the origins and history of witchcraft and its connection to nature and the world around us. Through Biddy we learn about the patriarchal society in which she lived and the stigma attached to those who used plants to heal others. We read of the rituals associated with Biddy's craft along with the persecution of the wise and cunning folk.

The book has been beautifully illustrated by Lisa Sausi in a lovely base colour palette of greens and orange.

This would make a fantastic introduction to the history of witchcraft for both adults and young people who want to learn more of its history through the story of Biddy Early. I enjoyed reading this very much and highly recommend it.

If you are wondering which graphic novel it was that I was referring to reading in 2022 it was The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. You can read my review by clicking on the title.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 0711295254

Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Formats:  e-book and hardback

No. of Pages:  128 (hardback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Quarto Publishers

Bookshop.org

Waterstones

About the Author:

Lindsay Squire is a practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and is the Witch behind the popular Instagram account, @thewitchoftheforest. She has been walking her own spiritual path for over a decade, and is passionate about helping and empowering Witches at the beginning of their Witchcraft journeys.

She is the author of The Witch of the Forest's Guide to... series:  Natural Magick, Astrology Magick, Natural Magick, Earth Magick, Tarot Magick, and Folklore Magick;  The Witch’s Book of Spells; and two magickal decks including The Witch of the Forest’s Tarot Magick Deck.

Lindsay lives in her home county of Yorkshire, UK with her mischievous cats, Luna and Merlin.

Lindsay can also be found at TikTok: thewitchoftheforest1

The Illustrator Lisa Salsi, can be found at Instagram: Lisa Salsi

(author photo courtesy of Tik Tok)

(all other media courtesy of Quarto)

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.com affiliate)

Reading Roundup for June 2023

 

This month, I am a few days early with my reading roundup as things are going to be pretty busy for the remainder of the month.

I had a lovely trip away this month and visited the Hungerford Bookshop which was lovely. If you are ever in Berkshire I recommend a visit there.  

My time away enabled me to sit and read lots of super books this month. Without further ado, here they are.

Books I Have Read

When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Koepcke - This was my book group choice this month and it had a mixed reception. It is a remarkable story but the overall feeling was that it was inconsistent in the quality of the writing. However, I enjoyed reading about this extraordinary woman. Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok - I enjoyed this rom com enormously. You can read my review by clicking here. 

My Heart was a Tree by Michael Morpurgo and Yuval Zommer -  This was a delightful collection of poems and short stories for children, written in celebration of trees. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

House of Sticks by Marc Scott - This was a little out of my reading comfort zone but I enjoyed it nonetheless. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Tails of Two Spaniels - by Heather Peck - An utterly charming book for children about two puppies who leave their litter to go to their forever homes. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Rose of Florence by Angela M. Sims - A well written and enjoyable historical fiction novel. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keetch - This was definitely one of my favourites this month. A feminist retelling of a traditional story. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase Link Bookshop.org *

The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams by Victoria Williamson - This is a lovely fantasy book for children which I really enjoyed. You can read my review by clicking here.  Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Blood on the Tide by Chris O'Donoghue - This is the first part in the DI Sonny Russell crime book series. You can read my review by clicking here.

The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths - This is the final book in the Ruth Galloway series. I have enjoyed them all. You can read my review by clicking here.   Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Meet the Bears by Kate Peridot and Becca Hall - This is a delightful book for children about different species of bears. Beautifully illustrated. You can read my review by clicking here.   

Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus - This was a wonderful book which I really enjoyed. I did not get around to reviewing it but it really was excellent.   Purchase link - Bookshop.org *

The Writer's Guide to Obscurity by John Steinberg. This was a very short and humourous book.  You can read my review by clicking here.  

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Suzy K. Quinn - This book is adorable and I really enjoyed every moment of reading it. You can read my review by clicking here.

Books I Did Not Finish

A Court at Constantinople by Anthony Earth - This was not for me.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hall by Sophie Hannah - I did not get very far through this before it had to be returned to the library.

Books I am Partway Through

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

The Village Vicar by Julie Houston

Good Girls Die Last by Natali Simmonds

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

Three Rival Sisters by Marie-Louise Gagneur & Translated by Anna Aitken and Polly Mackintosh #BookReview

 

The village of Domblans lay deep in a lovely verdant valley in the Jura. The houses were all tucked away discreetly behind layers of foliage, and from neighbouring hilltops one could just make out brown roof tiles and the angular spire of the church through the dense line of poplars that wound its way along the river.

***

Much acclaimed amongst her contemporaries and yet all but forgotten today, Marie-Louise Gagneur was a defining voice in French feminism. These stories, translated into English for the first time, critique the restrictions of late nineteenth-century society and explore the ways in which both men and women are hurt by rigid attitudes towards marriage.

In 'An Atonement', the Count de Montbarrey awakes one morning to find his wife dead, leaving him free to marry the woman he really loves. Could the Count have accidentally killed his wife? And how can he atone for his crime? 'Three Rival Sisters' tells the story of the rivalry between Henriette, Renée and Gabrielle as they compete for the affections of one man. But marriage does not necessarily guarantee happiness, as the sisters are about to find out.

Steeped in wit, empathy and biting social criticism, and with echoes of Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Kate Chopin, the stories show Gagneur to be worthy of renewed attention.

***

This is very much a book of two parts as it consists of two unrelated short stories, Three Rival Sisters and Atonement.

Personally, I found the titular story to be the superior of the two. It was interesting to watch the behaviour of the three sisters, Henriette, Renee and Gabrielle as they vie for the attention of a single man.

It was entertaining and witty and not unlike Jane Austen in the authors portrayal of the situation. She has put everything into place in order that the reader can come to their own conclusion as to how this scenario will play out. The prose, which is beautifully composed, suggests that marriage and love do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Atonement paled in comparison to its predecessor. It reminded me a little of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone, in its theme. Again, it was nicely written, but the story did not have the same complexity and I was not engaged by the characters or how the story would resolve itself.

ISBN: 978 1910477953

Publisher: Gallic Books

No. of Pages: 224 (paperback)

About the Author:

Marie-Louise Gagneur was a French feminist, writer and activist, born in Domblans in 1832. She wrote essays, short stories and more than 20 novels, often focusing on anti-clericalism and issues surrounding the status of women in society. She later called for a reform on divorce laws and challenged the Académie Française to feminise French job titles. Gagneur was appointed a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1901 and died in 1902.

(author photo courtesy of Wikipeadia)

(biographical info courtesy of Belgravia Books)

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd - #BookReview

"I am Ana. I am the wife of Jesus ben Joseph of Nazareth. I called him Beloved and he, laughing, called me Little Thunder. He said he heard rumblings inside me while I slept ............ That my husband bent his heart to mine on our thin straw mat and listened was the kindness I most loved in him. What he heard was my life begging to be born."

Ana is a rebellious young woman, a gifted writer with a curious, brilliant mind, who writes secret narratives about the neglected and silenced women around her. Raised in a wealthy family in Galilee, she is sheltered from the brutality of Rome's occupation of Israel. Ana is expected to marry an elderly widower to further her father's ambitions, a prospect that horrifies her. A chance encounter with the eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything: his ideas and his passion are intoxicating.

Taking Ana on a journey she could never have imagined, The Book of Longings is a glorious evocation of a time and a place where astounding events unfolded, and of one woman's fate when she fights to make her voice heard.

***

This is a work of fiction and in my review I will not be commenting on it's accuracy to either the Christian Bible or the Jewish Torah. The author presents Jesus in an historical light as opposed to a religious one, other than within the Jewish community in which he lived.

This book is about Ana, his fictional wife, rather than about Jesus himself. Jesus is portrayed only in as much as he impacted her life and is not the main character. She is fourteen at the beginning of the book and unlike most girls of the period is literate. In many ways that is the main theme of the story. The author gives a voice to women of the time who have been silenced through history. As interesting as that is, I could not help but feel that Ana was a 21st century woman transplanted into history and with a modern feminist attitude.

That said, I loved reading about how strong these women were. At a time when nothing more than marriage, and that of their fathers choice, would have been expected for them. Ana in particular, has quite other ideas. She is headstrong, resolute and determined to live life through her own choices. She makes for a compelling character.

The meticulous research needed for this book has clearly been well done and has resulted in a book which is carefully told. The chapter in which the crucifixion is described has been movingly portrayed  not only by the way the author describes the brutality of such an execution, but she brought alive how it must have felt to stand at the foot of that cross watching their husband, son, friend die in such an horrific manner. 

The book is rich in atmosphere and imaginatively written. She evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the period which made for a captivating and compelling read.

I have read Ms  Kidd's novels The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings, (you can read my review here) both of which were equally well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

ISBN:  978 1472232496

Publisher: Tinder Press

About the Author:

Sue Monk Kidd was raised in Georgia. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 and later took creative writing courses at Emory University, as well as studying at Sewanee, Bread Loaf, and other writers’ conferences. In her forties, Kidd turned her attention to writing fiction, winning the South Carolina Fellowship in Literature and the 1996 Poets & Writers Exchange Program in Fiction.

When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Timesbestseller list. It has been translated into 36 languages and sold more than 6 million copies in the U.S. and 8 million copies worldwide. Bees was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous awards. 

In her forties, Kidd turned her attention to writing fiction, winning the South Carolina Fellowship in Literature and the 1996 Poets & Writers Exchange Program in Fiction. Her short stories appeared in TriQuarterly, Nimrod, and other literary journals and received a Katherine Anne Porter award and citations in Best American Short Stories’ 100 Distinguished Stories.

When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into 36 languages and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous awards. For over a decade, the novel was produced on stage by The American Place Theater, and in 2008 it was adapted into a movie by Fox Searchlight, which won the People’s Choice award for best movie and the NAACP Image award for best picture. The 2019 off-broadway production at The Atlantic Theater won the AUDELCO VIV award for best musical. The novel is taught widely in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.

Kidd serves on the Writers Council for Poets & Writers, Inc.  She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney.