Aqa Jaan’s family has lived in the house of the mosque for centuries. Two of his cousins also live in the house; one is the mosque’s imam and the other is the muezzin. At first glimpse, their lives are going about as they have been for hundreds of years; television exists, but the house’s inhabitants studiously avoid it, and the women still cover themselves even though others in Tehran no longer bother. The family’s daughters are waiting for respectable men to approach their families to offer marriage, and the imam’s son is studying diligently to take his father’s place when he dies. Yet all is not the same, as a revolution is forming in 1970s Iran, and that revolution stands to change the family’s ways forever.
I found this book totally fascinating. I know so little of Iran, let alone what it’s like to live there, and I really felt like this book put me right in the midst of a revolution. Enough of their culture was established so that I felt terror and confusion just as the house’s residents did, and I was amazed at what some of the family was capable of doing for political purposes. It was all in the name of Islam, which makes it worse for me. I could see today’s political situation in the making, and it made me so sad that Iran couldn’t have continued on its former path of slow liberation without becoming extremists and closing up completely. The book does reveal how things can spiral out of control, without the people necessarily giving consent or realizing what they are doing. A few extremists can change the entire country given just a little encouragement, and that’s exactly what happens here.
My favorite character in the book was definitely Aqa Jaan. It’s predicted early in the novel that he’ll be the last one left of the family, and indeed this seems to be the case as his family either become extremists or become targets in the revolution, or simply disappear of their own volition. His emotions are often heartbreaking and I wished things could be different for him as his family began to fall apart. This is such a stunning novel of a country falling apart; it’s almost as though Aqa Jaan’s family is a microcosm of that, split between all the different factions, while he just wants life to remain as it has been for hundreds of years.
There is a lot of anti-Americanism here, but given the political circumstances, it’s understandable and didn’t put me off the book despite the fact that I am American. I also was left wondering how much of the book is true. The author, who fled Iran in 1988, was an illegal journalist and leftist there, and I expect much of the revolution was witnessed by him first-hand. He’s using a pen name here to honor executed friends (though his own name is available on wikipedia) and he dedicates the book to his own Aqa Jaan, so my curiosity is definitely piqued.
Honestly, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It inspires me to read more non-fiction to learn more about the conflict and to read more multi-cultural fiction. This book helped me understand what’s happening in the world today and still engaged all of my emotions and thoughts. You should not miss The House of the Mosque.
I am an Amazon Associate. I received this book for free from the publisher for review.
Sounds like a good read. Have you read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi? Also an excellent book about Iranian cultural change during the 1970s.
.-= mariel´s last blog ..Moon Called – Patricia Briggs =-.
This book sounds fascinating! I think it’s important to read books like this so we can better understand other parts of the world and why they’re the way they are.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: The Swan Thieves =-.
It’s an excellent novel, isn’t it? I just bought Persepolis, and I’m really looking forward to reading it!
Wow. This sounds like a great book. Could be just the thing I need to break me out of my constant America/England reading streak!
You’ve sold me!
I’ve read quite a bit of nonfiction about Iran, and I find it all fascinating.
.-= Eva´s last blog ..Mrs. Dalloway (thoughts) =-.
This book does sound interesting, although not the type of thing I would normally read at all. You’re definitely expanding your reading choices this year!
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Caridad Pineiro on M/M Romance =-.
This sounds really wonderful. I don’t know much about Iran either but after reading one book last year (Rooftops of Tehran), I was fascinated by the intermingling of religion and politics in the country.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Friday Finds =-.
I’ve also found that books with an anti-American sentiment, when properly reasoned, aren’t as much as a turnoff as I’d have thought. this sounds fascinating. I have several friends from all walks of life who are Iranian and as a political science major I read a great deal about the region. Unfortunately in the years since graduation, I’ve moved into field unrelated to teaching history or social sciences and I’ve fallen off the middle east wagon but I do need to get back on it.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..BTT: Preludes =-.
I really don’t know much about Iran either. I do think it’s important to expose ourselves to different cultures — in person or through books.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Chocolate by Max Brenner =-.
I know a little about current political Iran, but this would help set the scene. Thanks for recommending it.
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..The Husband, by Dean Koontz =-.
I’ve never even heard of this one! Thanks for putting it on my radar.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: How Many Memes? =-.
This sounds like a great book! I am excited to see that it will be available in 2 days, and am going to be ordering it when I can. I read another book about Iran last year and it was totally fascinating. If you get a chance to read anything else about the area, I really recommend Honeymoon In Tehran. It is non-fiction written by an Iranian journalist. Very good read.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Samson’s Walls by Jud Nirenberg =-.
This book is indeed a good read. I find it so fascinating and I think it was very, very well written. I am glad I chose to buy this book instead of a new pair of jeans. XD
[…] The House of the Mosque by Kader Abdolah. Meghan says: “I found this book totally fascinating. I know so little of Iran, let alone what it’s like to live there, and I really felt like this book put me right in the midst of a revolution. Enough of their culture was established so that I felt terror and confusion just as the house’s residents did, and I was amazed at what some of the family was capable of doing for political purposes.” […]
[…] read this a year later than most book bloggers, so reviews are many. Do take a look at the few at medieval bookworm, Iris on books, Savidge Reads and Lizzy’s Literary Life. Lizzy also posted an interview with […]