Title: Embroideries
Writer and Artist: Marjane Satrapi
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| via Amazon |
Marjane Satrapi is best known for the groundbreaking Persepolis, a comic book and film about her experiences growing up in revolutionary Iran (my review here). Embroideries is also about Satrapi's own family, this time exploring the intimacies of the bedroom. The typical western image of the Iranian woman has her shrouded in a burka, completely disconnected from pleasures of the flesh. Satrapi chucks that idea out the window as she and the other ladies in her circle hold forth.
Personalities run the gamut from Marjane's blunt, fearless grandmother to her more naive cousins. Men, for the most part, don't come off well in the discussion - no surprise. They're thoughtless, clueless and/or manipulative. It's also clear they're not welcome to partake in the conversation. I feel lucky to be offered the fly-on-the-wall perspective.
The book's title could be taken to refer to the common threads that run through the women's stories. However, it is also a specific reference to an operation to restore the hymen, thus preserving the illusion of a new wife's virginity - apparently a growing issue in modern, though still theocratic Iran.
As a graphic novel, Embroideries is a quick, engaging read. The subject matter - handled frankly and humorously - is sure to keep the pages turning. Those interested in Satrapi's work might also enjoy Chicken with Plums (review here).
Please join us and share your own review of your best read from the past month. This month's link list is below. I'll keep it open until the end of the day. I'll post November's tomorrow. Meetings are the last Friday of each month. Next gathering is November 28th.
Wow. that's some interesting stuff! I had long hoped that most Iranian women had a pleasurable marriage, despite the heavy burden of culture, and I'm glad to hear it is (at least) satisfying for some women. This sounds like a good read. I really like that there is some good companionship of the women-folk. Might just check this one out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Veronica
Veronica, I think you'd really enjoy this one. It's definitely not hot and steamy sexy but it doesn't blush either.
DeleteYour first line gave me a chuckle. Wht an unusual subject for a book. And a graphic novel to boot? Cool.
ReplyDeleteYes, wonderfully unusual.
DeleteThis sounds like an an interesting book although it's not the sort I usually pick up. Glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteIf you should change your mind, I'd recommend you start with Persepolis.
DeleteI need to remember to sign up tomorrow for November. I couldn't do October because of Halloween but I love doing these! Iranian women sitting around talking about their sex lives? I don't know about that...but it does sound interesting the way you describe it later!
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to have you join us, Stephanie, even if only to comment on the posts of others. Hope to see you in November.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! It would go well with Geraldine Brooks' "The Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women," a nonfiction book that has similar subject matter. I guess westerners do picture all Muslims to be in burkas, but it's really not that common. The hijab, or headscarf, is far more common. Even the niqab, which covers the face and is often confused with the burqa, is rarely seen in Iran. The chador is a specifically Persian way of dressing: essentially one big cloth thrown over the whole head and body, held together at the neck by the wearer. OK. I'll stop now. I will add this book to my reading list — it sounds like a must-read!
ReplyDeleteI didn't describe the chador very well but here's wikipedia's page on it. For those interested in Iranian women's sartorial options. :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chador
DeletePlease understand, I did not mean to imply that the western image of Iranian women is even remotely accurate. American ignorance of other cultures is eternally astonishing to me. I am shocked that in the 21st century, I still have to explain the differences between Japan and China to thoughtful, educated adults, let alone my students. Iran, due in no small part to its own deliberate isolation, is far beyond most people's realistic world concept. Satrapi's work is really good, revealing that what the West sees as a homogenous culture is anything but.
DeleteOh, absolutely! I phrased it the way I did because you were just reporting the western stereotype, not perpetuating it. :)
DeleteYes, I figured as much. Just wanted to be sure I hadn't given the wrong impression.
DeleteI long for a trip to the Muslim world. I've been to Malaysia, but just on a resort island that doesn't really count. Even so, there were a few meaningful comparisons with the Philippines, a Catholic country. It was harder to get beer. Stray cats were more prevalent than stray dogs. Topless sunbathing, even (especially?) by western women, was discouraged.
I expect that, due to my wife's ancestry, we'll probably aim for Lebanon rather than Iran when the time comes. Iran is not especially inviting to tourism these days but perhaps the younger, more progressive generation will change that.
OOh, I'm behind, Squid! Forgiveness required - I will catch up. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween!
No forgiveness required. Reminder: this is supposed to be fun. I am not the blog police!
DeleteHappy All Saints Day!
I heard about this on NPR and it's amazing, considering the culture, how frank these discussions are. It shows another side to the people and challenges stereotypes. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt's also a wonderful reminder that politics can only change so much about basic human nature. Iranian/Persian women were probably having comparable conversations 100, 200, 500 years ago. The specifics change but our human struggles are eternal.
DeleteHave you ever been stuck in a room of women talking about their sex lives and not been able to get out? I have. So I don't think I need to read about it.
ReplyDeleteJust saying. Yes, I'm scarred.
You've basically summarized my early 20s. It can be fun...
DeleteThis book sounds great. I'll mention it to The Hurricane. She introduced me to Persepolis.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Definitely - good book for a Grinnellian.
DeleteI have to get around to reading Persepolis.
ReplyDeleteYes, you do! Out of all her books, that one's a must read.
DeleteIt sounds an interesting book - I know nothing about Iranian culture apart from the mass media perception of it so this would enlighten me.
ReplyDeleteThe Iranian film industry is thriving, too - another great window to the culture.
DeleteWow! That does sound like an engaging, and...ummm....spicy read. :)
ReplyDeleteI would say more frank than spicy - definitely engaging, though!
DeleteDarn, I missed out on putting my link in. but I did participate this ... errr, last ... month! ;)
ReplyDeleteI will happily add your link, Trisha! Sadly not to get to it sooner, in fact. Crazy busy week!
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