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There are currently 39 member reviews
for In the Time of Our History
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Gail (North Florida)
Complex Family
The synopsis of Susanne Pari's book intrigued me from the beginning. Since both of my parents grew up outside the United States, I am always interested in reading first generation tales. Mitra, the main character, idolized her father as a child and followed his career footsteps in becoming a builder and contractor. However, I did find Mitra to be a rather cold woman who scorned the more convention lives of her mother and sister. Many different family members and friends flit in and out of the narrative and they were a bit difficult to keep straight. Mitra did change her outlook by the end of the book but I found her redemption to be a bit hollow. I did appreciate learning how all the different strands of this family intertwined and interacted.
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Nancy C. (The Villages, FL)
In the Time of our History
A very interesting, emotional roller coaster of a book.
Two generations of Persians... Iranian born and American born. How does the immigrant parent relate to the American born child. How does the American child exist in an old world culture dividing their time between two worlds. I have known first generation born Indians and Syrians and thought I could relate to how they see the world, but I've never actually focused on the parents trying to make a home in a brand new world with old world values.
Even though this book is specifically about a Persian family, I feel that many of their issues would apply to first generation families of other countries.
If you're interested in reading about family issues and relationships I would recommend this book.
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Kathy (southern ME)
Falls A Little Short
Pari's novel has a slow start and is a little difficult to become invested in. The early portion of the novel has a lot of descriptive passages that don't particularly add anything to the plot or characters (i.e. long-winded descriptions of clothing or surroundings). I also found the italicized portions that preceded each part distracting, and while the language is lovely in these stylized sections, they don't add to the overall story.
What is great about this novel is its themes of family and found family, and the strong female characters who are complex and realistic. There is a sense of immersion into the world of an Iranian American family and their complicated relationships. However, many of the male characters are overly simplistic - particularly the protagonist's father, Yusef, who is a bully with few redeeming qualities.
The end of the novel is not entirely satisfying, and the addition of new characters and plot points near the end dilute the story. Overall, the book could have been great rather than just good with some additional editing and focus.
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Connie K. (Oldsmar, FL)
Like Listening to a Friend Over Tea
Defiant of her father's culturally sanctified heavy-handed ways and biology's edicts as well, Mitra designs her own life in San Francisco. This story of familial relationships is largely character driven, filled with conflict and love and beautifully told heartfelt drama. The personal tone makes it enjoyable time spent witnessing that interplay and the growth of the protagonist especially. This book might be for fans of Forty Autumns by Nina Willner, a more plot driven story of a large East German family struggling with defying their patriarch.
My only criticism of Susanne Pari's is that sometimes the writing imposed itself on the reading. Similes, while descriptive, sometimes did not fit the context. Too much description of items or use of their brand names became overdone. Overall, my rating is 3.5. Thank You!
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