Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey

by Alison Wearing

Release Date: 07 December, 2001

Edition: Paperback

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A Perfect Marriage- Beautiful Stories of Amazing People

I loved this book!

It is spellbinding & wonderous- I've never experienced any travel book so powerful. From start to finish it swept me away. I am a fan of travel stories and tales of women in other cultures so this book was perfect for me. Ms Wearing has written a book that makes you feel like you were there without having to rely on mere descriptions of physical surroundings. She shares with us the individuals of Iran, allowing us to see behind the curtain of Western propaganda. This really is a people-logue rather than travel-logue. I was entranced by the author's beautiful retellings of the many people she came across in her journey. Each one seemed so vivid & alive- I could see their faces & hear their voices. She meets people from all walks of life and ideological viewpoints.

As I read the final chapters I was mentally shouting "Don't leave. Don't cross the border!" with tears in my eyes. I wished that the book could just go on & on. This was such a beautiful book worth ever dollar. I shall treasure my copy forever.

Bad title, good book

I was pleasantly surprised by Alison Wearing and "Honeymoon in Purdah". The title leads the reader to expect another "Western woman marries Islamic man & faces culture shock" book, but in reality the subtitle is much more apt: "An Iranian Journey".

Ms. Wearing visited Iran in the mid-90's as a tourist, not a newly married wife of an Islamic man. Although immediately plunged into the restrictiveness of fundamentalist Islamic culture through the necessity of "hejab" (veiling), Ms. Wearing remained open to the people she met & the spontaneity of 3rd World travel. Her joie de vive shines through every encounter.

As I read this book, I kept turning to my partner saying, "Wow, listen to this! These people are so nice!!" Everywhere Wearing goes, people she meets go out of their way to make her comfortable, show her their favorite sites, take her into their homes for meals, & drive her wherever she wants. Time & again a chance meeting leads to someone abandoning their plans for the day & taking Alison Wearing under their wing. Even while waiting at a train station in 110 degree heat, broiling under her bourka, tired & angry, a stranger suddenly appears & hands her a tray of food! Personally, I was ready to jump on the next plane to Iran!

So, don't pick up "Honeymoon in Purdah" if you're looking for more anti-Muslim propaganda. If you're in the mood to be surprised, delighted & entertained, this is the book for you!