IRANIAN author Parinoush Saniee has created an inspiring and resilient heroine in this critically acclaimed title.

Her astounding first novel, banned twice by authorities in her home country, spans 50 years in the life of Massoumeh, from before, during and after Iran's 1979 revolution.

As a teenager, Massoumeh meets and falls in love with a pharmacist's assistant.

But having discovered his love letters, Massoumeh's disgusted family quickly organise an arranged marriage for her.

And now her fate is tied with new husband Hamid, a complete stranger and a covert member of a communist group looking to overthrow the Shah's brutal dictatorship. What trouble lies ahead?

With fantastic skill and sharp observations, Saniee paints an insightful picture of a young woman's tumultuous life in a male-dominated world of religion and traditions.

Uplifting, heartbreaking and sometimes harrowing, fans of authors such as Khaled Hosseini will savour this remarkable story by a writer set to break new ground in modern Iranian literature.

10/10
Review by Mary Ann Pickford