Review
From the book jacket: Isolated and far
from his native Iran, Ushman Khan has worked hard to build a
wealthy, reliable clientele for his wares: exquisite hand-woven
rugs from his home city of Tabriz. With perfect rectitude, he
caters to clients like New York’s Upper East Side grand dame
Mrs. Roberts, who plies him for stories about his exotic origins
and culture to feed her own imagination. But like many
immigrants, he’s living only half a life. He dreams of the day
his beloved wife, Farak, will be able to join him in New York
and complete his vision of the American dream. But when she
tells him that she is leaving him for another man, Ushman is
shattered. He begins to wander aimlessly through the terminals
of JFK Airport, imagining a now-impossible reunion with...
Beyond the Book
Meg Mullins was born and raised
in New Mexico, where she now lives with
her husband and their two children. The
story that formed the basis of
The
Rug Merchant appeared in
The Best
American Short Stories 2002.
About Tabriz
Ushman is from
Tabriz, which is the capital of the
Iranian province of Eastern Azarbaaijaan.
it looks like a beautiful place - mild
summers make it a popular summer
vacation spot for those escaping the
heat of the south, and it's a popular
winter sports destination due to the
proximity of snow filled mountains. It...
