Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran

This book tells the story of Ahmadinejad's first election and how the first years of his administration affected the daily lives of people and, specifically, this reporter. Azadeh Moaveni takes you through the naiveté of reform minded voters who justified their sitting out the 2005 election since no one represented positive change. Little did they know that at the last minute a hard liner could be entered in stealth and would change the country and take away what little freedoms they had. She shows how the situation deteriorated. To this point, small freedoms had crept into the Islamic Republic. When Ahmadinejad opened soccer games to women it was hoped the trend would continue, but this was followed a widespread crackdown on woman's attire. Satellite dishes are first removed by somewhat polite police, later, they are just smashed on roofs with little warning. Moaveni's professional situation deteriorates as well. The intimidating government minder becomes downright lethal. Amid all this, Moaveni falls in love and becomes pregnant. She can't get health information since sites found in Googling "Women" (as well other body parts) are blocked. Every aspect of childbirth is fraught with stress down to selection of the child's name. The marriage ceremony and celebration have concerns. In Iran, wedding planners have added responsibilities. They may have to pay the police to so your friends and relatives can be together (men and women) to celebrate. Add music or wine to your party, and you have more complications. I didn't read Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran due to the all to cute title and almost passed this one up as well. This is not Chick Lit. It is a very serious work and I highly recommend it.

I read Azadeh Moaveni's second memoir with the same pleasure that I got from Lipstick Jihad. Ms. Moaveni is an exceptionally honest writer. She tells the reader precisely who she is, what she is feeling and where she stands. Her story reflects the ambiguity felt by thousands of Iranians who love their culture and their country, but have to put up with the challenges of living in the Islamic Republic. The memoir also provides a rare glimpse into the everyday workings of a Western journalist in Iran, and how social and political conditions shape reporting and work. The book will be a challenge for some, because it requires some previous knowledge of the history and society of the country to fully appreciate Ms. Moaveni's observations. It is also important to note that, even though Ms. Moaveni tries hard to distance herself from her immediate family situation to present a broad picture of Iranian society, the truth is that she can not really escape from the privilieges that accord to the wealthy and respected family of her husband--things that, for example, allow her to hold a wedding reception with mixed company, serving champagne without government interference. This is exceptionally privileged behavior unavailable to 99% of Iranians (of course, many would not want to hold this kind of celebration anyway). The insights into the rigors of planning a modern wedding in Iran are wonderful in their ethnographic detail. The book is also exceptionally useful as documentation of the first two years of President Ahmadinejad's term of office. The changes in restrictions on social behavior during this period are a precursor to the disturbances following the Presidential election of 2009. Reading this book will help any reader understand the growing public discontent during this period, even though Ms. Moaveni tries scrupulously to present a broad picture of Iranian society, including some very staunch conservative figures. There are lovely little conceits in the book. Ms. Moaveni is continually tantalizing the reader with little references to exotic (for Americans) Iranian food. Knowing the delights of this cuisine myself, I was charmed by this subtle reference to the delights of the Iranian table. I also appreciated Ms. Moaveni's observations on her own spirituality, and vascillating views toward religion. She is honest enough to contrast her own growing feeling about spirituality with her husband's somewhat jaded view of organized religion in Iran today (which interestingly sends him back to the study of an earlier spirituality--Zoroastrianism). The narrow time focus of the book is a true gift. It presents a very precise snapshot of Iran during an important transitional period. I predict that historians will find this a rich account of a moment in time that will be seen to have portended future events in this most fascinating of nations.

Honeymoon in Tehran brings life to history I was only vaguely familiar with before. I never truly trust the media spin on international events, wondering what things are really like in faraway places. By weaving her personal narrative into these critical events of our times, Moaveni has helped me I better understand Iran's Muslim and Persian cultures, while letting me by privy to an inside view of how things unfold in a totalitarian state. Excellent read.

Honeymoon in Tehran is a memoir by Iranian-American journalist Azadeh Moaveni chronicling two years of her life living in Tehran and dealing with the complications of a government that restricts the freedoms of women and journalists (and especially women journalists). The book is a resource of world politics as Moaveni presents an insider's view of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's rise to power. The story is even more compelling as Moaveni tells her own tale of falling in love. As she navigates Iranian wedding customs and the issues of pregnancy before marriage, the story becomes a personal one and her balance between factual and emotional writing is exceptional. In many ways Moaveni's story is a wake-up call to be aware of things that Americans and other citizens of Western countries can take for granted - choice of dress, public playgrounds, sattelite TV, choice of children's names, uncensored internet access, freedom to associate with members of the opposite gender - and yet she paints a fair picture of Iranians in Tehran and refrains from playing the victim despite dire circumstances for her family and career. As a book that both educates and entertains, Honeymoon in Tehran is an excellent book club choice or a great read for anyone seeking a literary trip to Iran.

Honeymoon in Tehran is a fascinating cultural and political portrait of modern day Iran eloquently portrayed through the lens of personal experience. Azadeh Moaveni's experienced journalistic voice easily explains many of the nuances of modern Iranian life, focusing on the concerns and desires of the country's youth that makes up more than 70% of the population. It is her eloquent personal voice, however, that is most engaging as she weaves a beautiful, textured story of finding love, pursuing a career amid very real dangers, and settling into life as a working new wife and mother. Ms. Moaveni deftly illuminates relevant current issues from Ahmadinejad's confounding election victory, to popular attitudes about Iran's support of Islamic militant groups, to the regime's policy on educating betrothed couples on the pleasures of sex. You'll have so much fun accompanying Ms. Moaveni through her journey that you'll scarcely realize how much you've learned in the process. Honeymoon in Tehran grants a rare window into the mysterious, multi-layered country of Iran, enabling you to walk away with an enriched appreciation of a place so misunderstood in the West.