In 17th century Iran, a girl and her mother leave their village to live with their half uncle after the death of her father. In the big city of Isfahan, they are treated more like servants then family. However, the girl's talent in carpet making is recognized by her uncle, who teaches her the craft like she were his son. Nonetheless, she is a girl, and without a father and a dowry, her future looks bleak.

This is a beautifully crafted book. The author's description makes everything comes to life: the bustling bazaar, the exquisite carpets; and every character, with flaws and strengths, love and hate, stands out as real, life-like person that develops and changes, not caricature of kindness or evil. Even a beggar has his moments of kindness and cruelty.

Not to mention the luscious description of the hamman. I have to say, this book turned me into a spa junkie! Why do American not only have fast food, they also just hop in and out of showers instead of enjoying hours of bathing rite, like the hammans, as well as sauna, Japanese onsen, and all that...

In the afternote, the author mentioned that she spent nine years researching and writing the book, and the effort shows: little details of life that makes the story real, folktales that cast a magical air, and trivia about carpet making that entices the reader.

I also like how the author portrays an array of Persian women. There is woman locked in unhappy marriages arranged by parents, (which Western readers fully come to expect) but there is also woman with loving husband who refused to take a second wife even if his first is barren. Sigheh is a temporary marriage contract that can in some way be viewed as legalized prostitution. For many women it is a disgrace, but for one woman, it is thanks to it that she can carry on a relationship with her childhood sweetheart when his parents made other marriage arrangement.

I love this book so much I am using this for my swap book at the BC Con in Bordeaux.

Got this at the Bordeaux Convention's book swap game!
Thanks for bringing it along, it sounds very interesting - looking forward to reading it.

A beautiful, rich novel, well-researched, a coming-of-age story. I loved to read about the carpet industry in 17th-century Isfahan - and I'd like to see the carpets described in the novel. What's great too are the descriptions of Iranian culture - food, clothes, life styles (of the rich and the poor), etc. - and the characterisations. Only the ending was a bit rushed.

Travelling to Poodlesister - who didn't get the novel at the Convention's Book Swap game.
Happy reading!

Thank you so much for the book, for the cute BC bookplates and the great stamps which I will save for a Bookcrosser.

What a wonderful book. So rich with description.

Taking to the Uncon to use in the Book Swap game.

Won in the book swap game at the Ipswich Unconvention. Looks interesting, thanks for bringing it!

I enjoyed this book. At one point I thought it was becoming a bit too romantic for my tastes but then it changed direction. Phew! Thank you Poodlesister for bringing it to the book swap!

AVAILABLE for now.

On its way to grant a wish for Holiday Gift Giving 2021...

Thank you Shnedwards for this HGG wish list book. Looking forward to reading and sharing 😀