Nazanine Hozar is an Iranian-Canadian author best known for her debut novel, Aria, which garnered critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of life in Iran during a period of significant social and political upheaval. Her writing delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the impact of history on individual lives.
With Aria, Hozar has made a notable contribution to literature, providing readers with a window into Iran’s complex history and the resilience of its people.
An extraordinary, cinematic saga of rags-to-riches-to-revolution that follows an orphan girl coming of age in Iran at a time of dramatic upheaval It is the 1950s in a restless Iran, a country rich in oil but deeply divided by class and religion. The government is unpopular and corrupt and under foreign sway. One night, an illiterate army driver hears the pitiful cry of a baby abandoned in an alley and menaced by ravenous wild dogs. He snatches up the child and takes her home, naming her Aria--the first step on an unlikely path from deprivation to privilege. Over the next two decades, the orphan girl acquires three mother figures whose secrets she will learn only much later: reckless and self-absorbed Zahra, who abuses her; wealthy and compassionate Fereshteh, who adopts her; and mysterious Mehri, whose connection to Aria is both a blessing and a burden. A university education opens a new world to Aria, and she is soon caught up in the excitement and danger of the popular uprising against the Shah that sweeps through the streets of Tehran. The novel's heart-pounding, explosive finale sees the Ayatollah Khomeini's brutal regime seize power--even as Aria falls in love and becomes a mother herself. Nazanine Hozar's stunning debut gives us an unusually intimate view of a momentous time, through the eyes of a young woman coming to terms with the mysteries of her own past and future.
The 1950s were a transformative and tumultuous period for Iran, marked by political upheaval, foreign intervention, and significant social and economic changes. Here’s a timeline highlighting key events in Iran during this decade:
By the end of the 1950s, Iran had undergone significant changes under the Shah’s rule, including a stronger central government, closer ties with the West, and steps toward modernization. However, the seeds of future unrest were sown, with growing opposition to the Shah's authoritarian rule, dissatisfaction with economic disparities, and resentment toward foreign influence in the country.
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Westwood Public Library