MADreads

Straddling two worlds

June 15th, 2007 Mary K. - Central

For busy book lovers, audiobooks are a great way to “read” and be read to at the same time.  Some books are better suited to this than others, for a lot of reasons: complex plots with multiple characters are sometimes hard to follow, and the story needs to lend itself to being read aloud.   Whatever the reason, the Penguin audiobook of The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther works very well.  The book has two main characters and two narrators, one portraying the Iranian mother, Maryam, and the other her daughter, Sara, born and raised in England.  Crowther was born to an Iranian mother and English father and understands the two cultures very well. 

The story begins as Sara miscarries  after a struggle with her cousin, Saeed, on a bridge in a busy London neighborhood.  Maryam slapped him and he tried to jump off the bridge;  Sara pulled him back, and  he kicked her.  Saeed is living in London after the death of his mother, Maryam’s sister, and his presence has brought many memories of the past back to Maryam.

After this traumatic event.  Maryam decides she must return to Iran to re-visit her past and make peace with it.  Her father was a powerful general, close to the Shah, and a very traditional man who effectively banished Maryam from the family because of her behavior and because he suspected she had lost her virginity.  She has had a life in England, married Edward,  and raised her daughter, but now that life is not enough.

Maryam eventually summons Sara to Iran; she goes intending to bring her mother back home, but while she is there she learns several things about her mother and her family and her own heritage.

This is a well-written first novel that describes straddling two cultures and the stress of living in exile estranged from family.   It is also refreshingly  sympathetic and positive about Iran and Iranians.  It is a good read no matter what format is chosen; I think I would have enjoyed the print book just as much.

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction