Dakhmeh

This is a fictional book, and it is not base on a true story. However, these days reports from Iran is not any different from this book that how the IRI is treating Iranian people poorly. This character was young innocent person when 1979/2538 Revolution took place in Iran, and his family fled Iran and settled in the US. The charcater returned to Iran, and was mangled in the middle of mayhem. Interesting part of this book is that book title is "Dakhmeh" which means, being at dark, gloomy corner which is lacking light. Author's PEN name is Naveed which means "message" and Noori means "light". Indeed, book title and PEN names are incorporated to one another. It is a fun book to read, and sometimes, it is lacking writing skill, however, facts remian that the author sought to express him/herself.

This is a grim book by an unidentified author about life in modern Tehran, twenty-some years after the Revolution that overthrew the Shah and put Khomeni in power. The protagonist is an idealistic young man growing up in the US but yearning for a home in Iran and a cause to devote his life to. Unwise and unprepared for what he finds when he goes there, he is thrust into the shadow life that exists among both the wealthy and poor beyond the all-seeing eye of the Islamic authorities. Eventually, after a futile gesture of rebellion, he becomes a fugitive from the law and meets a sad, brutal end in a prison for political prisoners. Well written and sharply disturbing, the book reflects both dspair and a continuing hope that Iran will some day be free from a long history of tyranny.

I must admit that I initially picked up this book because of the author's name. What lured me into buying it was that fact that this is his/her nom de plume. I knew it had to be ripe with opinions to which one was not safe enough label with a name. I was right. I read the book during a bout of insomnia, and one night's lack of sleep led me so far in terms of identity that I am forever grateful to Mr. Noori. Whether you agree with his views or not, the author takes you on a journey of self that really hits "home" with Iranians living in the U.S. Being true to persian culture, the story is vivid and depressing but very real.

I am drawn to books of the middle east, especially Iran. Naveed Noori, possibly wanting to avoid the Komiteh hurting him, uses a psuedonym in telling his story. Does this give you any inkling to how it is NOT okay to say negative things about the powers that be in Iran? Anyway, Noori weaves in and out from now - living and dying in a famous Iranian prison, the recent past - living in America and Tehran, and the far past as a child. He speaks of politics, the smell of foods, the sights of his home country, and how the revolution changed it all - except his love for his 'home'. i skipped over the page or two of the torture that Arash experienced in prison - i don't want that in my head. Excellent discription of the spiralling down from drug abuse and sickness....read it and learn more about the iranian mindset.