Reviews
eoeFarizane(tm)s prose is frank, funny and bittersweet . . . Enjoyable.e --The New York Times Book Review eoeThis beautifully crafted young-adult novel offers timely insight into the struggles of those who must be their authentic selves no matter where they live.e --Ms. Magazine "[A] terrific debut novel . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." --Booklist, starred review eoe[A] provocative coming-of-age story . . . Throughout this strong debut, Farizan weaves in details of daily Iranian life . . . Within a rigid societal structure, her fleshed-out characters wrestle with depression, hope, complacency, and risk.e --Publishers Weekly "A complex and original story of love and sacrifice." --Omnivoracious (Amazon blog) eoeA convincing portrait of everyday life in post-revolutionary Iranian society . . . While Farizan deals with LGBT issues in this book, she also is writing about the choices all young adults must face. Sahar must find her place in her family, decide which career to follow, and figure out how to let go of a first love--universal themes in all cultures.e --Durham Herald-Sun eoeRefreshingly and believably diverse . . . A moving and elegant story.e --Kirkus Reviews eoeA heartbreakingly beautiful story of first love . . . The reader becomes part of Sahar and Nasrine(tm)s journey. We move through it with them with our heart in our hands.e --Jacqueline Woodson, author of Beneath a Meth Moon "A book full to bursting with aching, haunting, beautiful questions." --Chris Lynch, author of Inexcusable, "Farizan's prose is frank, funny and bittersweet, enjoyable . . . And her secondary storylines ring out memorably." --The New York Times Book Review "This beautifully crafted young-adult novel offers timely insight into the struggles of those who must be their authentic selves no matter where they live." --Ms. Magazine "Sharp and moving . . . An interesting look at gender identity and gay culture in Iran . . . Also a compelling story about class and the purpose of marriage." --The Boston Globe "[A] terrific debut novel . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." --Booklist, starred review "[A] provocative coming-of-age story . . . Throughout this strong debut, Farizan weaves in details of daily Iranian life . . . Within a rigid societal structure, her fleshed-out characters wrestle with depression, hope, complacency, and risk." --Publishers Weekly "A convincing portrait of everyday life in post-revolutionary Iranian society . . . While Farizan deals with LGBT issues in this book, she also is writing about the choices all young adults must face. Sahar must find her place in her family, decide which career to follow, and figure out how to let go of a first love--universal themes in all cultures." --Durham Herald-Sun, "Farizan's prose is frank, funny and bittersweet, enjoyable . . . And her secondary storylines ring out memorably." -- The New York Times Book Review "This beautifully crafted young-adult novel offers timely insight into the struggles of those who must be their authentic selves no matter where they live." -- Ms. Magazine "Sharp and moving . . . An interesting look at gender identity and gay culture in Iran . . . Also a compelling story about class and the purpose of marriage." -- The Boston Globe "[A] terrific debut novel . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." -- Booklist, starred review "[A] provocative coming-of-age story . . . Throughout this strong debut, Farizan weaves in details of daily Iranian life . . . Within a rigid societal structure, her fleshed-out characters wrestle with depression, hope, complacency, and risk." -- Publishers Weekly "A convincing portrait of everyday life in post-revolutionary Iranian society . . . While Farizan deals with LGBT issues in this book, she also is writing about the choices all young adults must face. Sahar must find her place in her family, decide which career to follow, and figure out how to let go of a first love--universal themes in all cultures." -- Durham Herald-Sun, "[A] terrific debut novel . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal Refreshingly and believably diverse . . . A moving and elegant story. --Kirkus Reviews "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." --Booklist, starred review "[A] provocative coming-of-age story." --Publishers Weekly "A complex and original story of love and sacrifice." --Omnivoracious (Amazon blog) , Refreshingly and believably diverse . . . A moving and elegant story. --Kirkus Reviews "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." --Booklist, starred review "[A] provocative coming-of-age story." --Publishers Weekly, "Farizan's prose is frank, funny and bittersweet, enjoyable . . . And her secondary storylines ring out memorably." -- The New York Times Book Review "This beautifully crafted young-adult novel offers timely insight into the struggles of those who must be their authentic selves no matter where they live." -- Ms. Magazine "Sharp and moving . . . An interesting look at gender identity and gay culture in Iran . . . Also a compelling story about class and the purpose of marriage." -- The Boston Globe "[A] terrific debut novel . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal "Accomplished and compassionate . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine." -- Booklist, starred review "[A] provocative coming-of-age story . . . Throughout this strong debut, Farizan weaves in details of daily Iranian life . . . Within a rigid societal structure, her fleshed-out characters wrestle with depression, hope, complacency, and risk." -- Publishers Weekly "A convincing portrait of everyday life in post-revolutionary Iranian society . . . While Farizan deals with LGBT issues in this book, she also is writing about the choices all young adults must face. Sahar must find her place in her family, decide which career to follow, and figure out how to let go of a first love--universal themes in all cultures." -- Durham Herald-Sun
