Marjane Satrapi has written two previous novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, which recreate for the reader the world of Iran in the 70s and 80s viewed through the eyes of a young girl and woman. With this follow up book she puts aside politics and brings us into the lives of Iranian women.
The book opens when Marjane arrives for tea at her family’s home and joins her grandmother, mother and aunts for a candid conversation about love, marriage and even sex. There are some funny recollections, for example one woman tells of how she advised a friend to fake her virginity on her wedding night.
While Marjane is put in charge of the samovar she eavesdrops on the conversations and gossip bandied about. And, once again the reader is treated to the black and white drawings of the Persepolis novels.
Although there are tales of arranged marriages and the hardships women face in this society Satrapi manages to add some light touches to this novel. They aren’t meant to make the novel comical yet they help show that despite hardships the women get on with life.