But it falls flat because the book straps on a passel of clichés and skims along the surface of things, telling us that Sahar "tries not to drool" when Nasrin looks beautiful, that she knows Nasrin is shallow but just can't help loving her, that Sahar's heart is breaking, and so on. The relationship between the girls should be complex and multi-leveled-our protagonist Sahar is poorer, plumper, and smarter than her beloved Nasrin, who treats her at times like a faithful dog and at other times like her best beloved. It's short but it should be shorter-too many pages are given over to reminders that homosexuality is illegal (in case you've forgotten about that, since the last sentence) and to pointless back-and-forth between the protagonist and her girlfriend. So it's a shame that this book isn't better written. If The Handmaid's Tale gave you the willies (and it should have) then dwelling for a bit on the realities of a culture that insists on covering women from head to toe, and likes to stone gay people to death, will really curl your hair.
I was tempted to add my "horror" tag to this one, because sweet molasses, it's no joke living under a repressive religious regime. The subject matter-two teenaged girls in love in Tehran-is interesting, and there are some wonderful details. I wanted this book to be better than it was. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self? Sahar will never be able to love the one she wants, in the body she wants to be loved in, without risking her life. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman’s body is seen as nature’s mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively-and openly. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. So they carry on in secret-until Nasrin’s parents announce that they’ve arranged for her marriage. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love-Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.
They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six.
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