The Good Writer

Jasmin Darznik's "The Good Daughter"

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The Good Writer
by Azarin Sadegh
08-Feb-2011
 

When Ari Siletz offered me the opportunity of reading and writing a review for Jasmin Darznik’s first memoir, The Good Daughter, A memoir of My Mother’s Hidden Life, I didn’t hesitate. I knew Jasmin’s work and expected her book to be an entertaining read. Of course her PhD in English literature from Princeton was another strong argument to set this memoir apart, in the pile of the Iranian memoirs in the market.

A simple look at the book-cover of The Good Daughter reveals that, unlike most of the other books in this genre, these memories don’t belong to the author but to her mother’s. This distance between the writer and the protagonist adds an element of fiction to the narration, which makes the book closer to a fictionalized memoir than a classic memoir which is only about the author's own memories, or at least this was my expectation.

Now that I’ve finished the book, I should congratulate Jasmin for her lovely way of praising her mother’s life. Extremely well-researched and written in an impeccable prose, this book shows Jasmin’s extra attention to details and descriptions, which in each scene it gives readers clear images of what they are looking at.

The Good Daughter is a fun and fast read about the Iranian women’s misery during most part of the 20th century. Did you notice something paradoxical in the preceding sentence? If you did, then you have got the core of my criticism of the book. But before talking about its problems, let’s first take a look at its strengths.

Darznik’s starts her narrative in a spectacular way; shortly after her father’s passing, Jasmin, who is in her twenties, discovers an old picture of her mother as a young bride, but the groom sitting next to her mother is a total stranger. This is the main incident which set the story in motion and drives the author to find out more about her mother’s past. In spite of her mother’s initial refusal, Jasmin receives a first series of tapes in which her mother has revealed her secrets.

After this brilliant opening scene, the next chapters will cover the history of this family throughout several decades.

First, we flashback to the beginning of the 20th century and meet Kobra and Sohrab, the author’s grandparents. Next, Lili, Jasmin’s mother, becomes the story’s main character; she goes through a marriage at 13, a miscarriage, childbirth, physical abuse, and divorce while still being a teenager. She also has to give up on her rights as a mother and to leave her daughter, Sara, to her ex-husband, Kazem. In the later chapters, we learn about Lili’s trip abroad to study, her second marriage to Johann, coming back to Iran for a few years before leaving it as the revolution starts (leaving Sara behind) and finally getting settled in the Bay Area, USA. From this point on, we read the author’s own memories from that same period, which I found the best written scenes of the book. I hope Jasmin would write a follow-up to this memoir, perhaps a second book about her mother’s efforts to find Sara and their reunion.

One of the main lessons I learned by reading this story was that no matter how hard the Pahlavis tried to bring about change, they were destined to fail. The society’s deep Islamic roots had made it impossible for their efforts to transform the archaic mind of the average Iranian man. Sohrab and Kazem might appear westernized and progressive, but their actions show that they're no different from the fanatic Iranian men who look at women as object and would consider the polygamy as his god-given right.

As I said, I enjoyed most of the opening chapter and the last few chapters, told in a close first person, written beautifully, but I had a few problems while reading the chapters in between. My first criticism of the book is its editing; there are too many anecdotes and unimportant characters, which could have been cut off from the final draft. I understand that the author is trying to remain truthful to her mother by preserving every little memory from those tapes, but in many of these stories not only they do not play an important role in the main narrative, but also they are predictable, so they left a feeling of “déjà-vu” in my mind. At some point, I wondered whether this feeling had to do with my own familiarity with similar tales, as I have also been aware of my own mother and grandmother's struggle to have a voice; or maybe I had read them in another Iranian memoir. It is true that Lili’s dark past is shared by so many, and I understand that sometimes the same story should be told and retold, but as a simple reader, I hoped to be surprised, shocked and stabbed, as Kafka says, while reading this familiar story as if I was reading it for the first time.

My other criticism is lack of attitude in Lili’s character. The story is told in a distant voice, without over-dramatization, which reduces the efficiency of the narration. There is a large amount of attention given to describing cultural elements, such as food, clothes, rituals and routines, but the same attention has not been given to show Lili’s state of mind, thoughts, or feelings. Lili is portrayed as a character that does not react the normal way, as we expect, as if she has been numbed by the chain of miseries in her life. Or, as if the average Iranian woman of that period was mostly fatalist who considered these unjust treatments as their destiny. Even though I can see that through her actions Lili is struggling to change her life, but this obvious lack of emotion was too disturbing. I would have loved to know more about Lili’s deep feelings and pain. Sometimes Lili acted almost like a dead fish, while being abused, and it was hard to understand why.

As the first chapter and the last ones were enough proof that Jasmin Darznik knows how to depict her characters’ emotions, knows how to grab her reader, and how to move them, so I could only conclude that she should have made a conscious choice of showing Lili as a numb character. This lack of attitude could be part of the author’s effort to stay objective regarding the miserable situation of women in Iran, but I think that the story could have had a stronger impact on the reader if Lili hadn’t hidden her pain.

This book is an elegant and memorable way that the author has chosen to show her love and devotion to her mother, and also for her country of birth. It is clear that Jasmin Darznik has conducted an impressive amount of research to create a believable image of Iran during the past century, and she is very successful in the depiction of an Iran that many don’t know. This book, I am sure, will be a great success, especially among the non-Iranians, as it creates a believable universe, and as an Iranian reader I feel this urge to clean up my own acts and to think thoroughly about what I call our nationalistic nostalgia and to distinguish the good from the bad, the shameful traditions from the genuine gestures of kindness.

Even though “Good Daughter” was the surname of Sara, Lili’s abandoned child, but I personally think that Jasmin is the real “good daughter”.

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Mehrban

Dear Azarin

by Mehrban on

Peace, for sure.  My respect for you, never doubt it.  Let me add that it is that very respect and also the knowledge of your sincere passion for the art of writing that propelled me to make my last comment.  Looking forward to reading your work. 


SamSamIIII

Azarin jaan

by SamSamIIII on

 

It always amazes me how great in numbers are the little minded army of same old same old cliche crowd. But then we are dealing with Iran and stereo-typical shaikhs of populism & fake-hero mysticism repeating the same lines fed to them by lyncher's hysteria. pity indeed. The close-mindedness. & you wonder why hedayat killed himself reflecting the pains of free-thinkers before him.

Cheers dear lady !!!

Path of Kiaan Resurrection of True Iran Hoisting Drafshe Kaviaan //iranianidentity.blogspot.com //www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia


Flying Solo

Careless

by Flying Solo on

A careless and dismissive review, poorly written, unintelligent address of delicate matters, patronizing and pompously authoritative, sewn up with malcontent's blunt needle and envy's green thread.   Appalling.

 

 

 


Azarin Sadegh

@Mehrban

by Azarin Sadegh on

Dear Mehrban,

I respect your opinion, and knowing you, I know that this respect is mutual. I am sorry to disappoint you, but it is hard to please everyone. Honestly, as a fiction writer, I found the task of writing a book review quite challenging....Yet, I am pretty sure that once you read Jasmin's well written memoir, no matter your political view, you would understand what I meant.

Peace! Azarin


Multiple Personality Disorder

Wow! “Riveting!”

by Multiple Personality Disorder on

Vogue Magazine just called Jasmin Darznik's book "Riveting!"


hadi khojinian

Oh , amazing !!!

by hadi khojinian on

Thanks Azarin Jan!!!


yolanda

........

by yolanda on

Hi! Nazy,

   Thank you for your kind words......I liked your last group writing project and Jasmin interview.......it was fun......I am looking forward to the next group writing project...satire? I love to read!

  All your blogs are great! You are a great writer and a cyber-leader! :O) Every time you call for writing series, a lot of people respond!


Nazy Kaviani

Thanks!

by Nazy Kaviani on

Thanks Azarin Jan for your review of Jasmin Darznik's new book.

I felt there was a big fire of emotion under Lili's seemingly cold ashes of self control and tribal turfs and territories, all of which had to be protected by good manners as we have seen so often among Iranian families.

I am so impressed that Jasmin's mother even let her write this story. At writers' meetings, we have often heard writers talk about how uncooperative family members and loved ones become around their writer family members, fearing that they would lose control of their stories and secrets.

I enjoyed reading your review, as I enjoyed reading the book and talking to Jasmin about it. I also LOVE Yolanda's thoughtful and interesting comments about the book!

Yolanda, you make a perfect reading buddy! Under separate cover, I will tell you what I'm reading next and we can compare notes on that one, too!

Thank you again Azarin Jan.


Mehrban

Dear Azarin

by Mehrban on

Thank you for the review of the book The Good Daughter which I have not yet read and frankly after your review, I am not sure if I should ;-).

One thing though that sticks out in my reading of your review is ;

[One of the main lessons I learned by reading this story was that no matter how hard the Pahlavis tried to bring about change, they were destined to fail. The society’s deep Islamic roots had made it impossible for their efforts to transform the archaic mind of the average Iranian man. ]

I expected a more thoughtful and insightful statement from a serious writer . People of Iran, or specifically "average Iranian men" were not passive dolls whose minds the Pahlavis were to change (what ever that means) I assume you mean to refer to a push towards modernity.  If Pahlavis were an agent of change towards modernity in Iran they were only a portion of a much larger push from much more diverse layers of the society towards that goal.  I am not going to engage with anyone but you on this topic on this thread. 

Maybe the content of the book necessitates the mention of the Pahlavis in its review if not I find this statement uncharacteristic of a writer who aspires to the ranks of Orhan Pamuk.  Sorry if my tone is harsh, I just expected more from you. 

Ps. (this comment has been edited)  


yolanda

.........

by yolanda on

Hi! Azarin,

   Thank you for your great review......I am never tired of talking about this book!

1) I agree with you that Jasmin should be the "good daughter"! The book mentioned Sara called Lili "prostitute" many times......Lili did not dare to attend Sara's wedding.....She did not feel comfortable around Kazem's relatives.....I am not sure if Sara and Lili have ever completely reconciled and reached understanding......it seems to me that Lili did not go back to Iran either.....not just Jasmin! The thing is that you can divorce your spouse, but not your children.......I really don't understand why they have not reunited yet! Are they waiting for IRI to be overthrown? and then go to Iran for the reunion?

2) OMG! The author talked about clothes all the time......not just clothes, also fabrics like crepe de chine and muslin! I learned the word "muslin" 1st time in my life from this book! One part really cracked me up.......it said Lili flew to Germany to study......on the plane, she did not want to cross her legs 'cause she did not want to wrinkle her dress! OMG!

3) The book said Kazem is a sadist....it did not say Sohrab was a sadist......but both of them are equally abusive.....no difference to me! Sohrab beat his wife and his children when the kids were little! One part shocked me that Kobra called Sohrab the "perfect gentleman"....this is after Sohrab died and a younger suitor appeared....apparently Kobra forgot that Sohrab broke her nose and divorced her multiple times and picked up a blue eyed mistress!

4) The author described her dad's drinking addiction, but never used the word "alcoholic"......one part shocked me that it said Lili bought a bottle of wine for Johann and told him to drink at home......not to go out......it seems to me that Lili enabled her hubby's bad habit!

5) I do recall one 'drama' in the book.....it said an Iranian general tricked Lili to go to a construction site.......he was ready for some "actions" and wanted to make her a temporary wife!.....he removed his belt........she run away......it is like a movie!

6) Another shocking part: Lili could not take the abuses anymore & wanted a divorce......her dad had to pay Kazem money to buy her freedom back besides using his connections to deal with the authorities!

7) This book is flying off the shelf! 2 days ago, it ranked #8000 on Amazon, yesterday it ranked #233, today it ranked #433.....it is doing very well! It does better than Roxana Saberi's book about her ordeal in Evin and life in Iran!

Thank you for your thorough review!


Multiple Personality Disorder

Excellent review, Azarin

by Multiple Personality Disorder on

I knew you would enjoy reading the book.  Even your criticism of the book is good.