Jasmine and Stars

In a direct frank and intimate exploration of Iranian literature and society scholar teacher and poet Fatemeh Keshavarz challenges popular perceptions of Iran as a society bereft of vitality and joy. Her fresh perspective on present-day Iran provides a rare insight into this rich culture alive with artistic expression but virtually unknown to most Americans.<br/><br/>Keshavarz introduces readers to two modern Iranian women writers whose strong and articulate voices belie the stereotypical perception of Iranian women as voiceless victims in a country of villains. She follows with a lively critique of the recent best-seller <i>Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books</i> which epitomizes what Keshavarz calls the “New Orientalist narrative” a view marred by stereotype and prejudice more often tied to current geopolitical conflicts than to an understanding of Iran.<br/><br/>Blending in firsthand glimpses of her own life — from childhood memories in 1960s Shiraz to her present life as a professor in America — Keshavarz paints a portrait of Iran depicting both cultural depth and intellectual complexity. With a scholar’s expertise and a poet’s hand she helps amplify the powerful voices of contemporary Iranians and leads readers toward a deeper understanding of the country’s past and present.