Unveiled: One Woman's Nightmare in Iran

A gripping, unforgettable work which made me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time. Written by a respected British journalist whose innocent genetic love for her country of origin takes her out to Iran where she makes heroic efforts to make the reality confirm her idealised image of what should be 'Persia'. Her individual and eccentric personality is rapidly sculpted, and honed, from within, to fit into an artificial entity called The Islamic Republic. It is from this perspective that she gives us a unique glimpse of a man-made state. A tragedy, on a personal and national level, from which she finally emerges with her innocence intact - to continue life in her natural dual state so well encapsulated in the endearing shortened version of her Persian name - nothing to do with a fruit!

A most interesting book form a plucky young lady. I knew her through her many informative articles for the economist and was delighted to be able to get a longer read. The book, apart from being more than readable, gives us a description of modern day Iran through the eyes of someone who does not have any kind of 'agenda': She goes out there as a journalist (rather a brave act in itself), to see and to report. Whether on the political or personal front she remains lucid and a great story teller to the end.

As an Iranian woman who has experienced life in both pre and post revolutionary Iran, I absolutely loved this book. Because this book unveiled the ugly truth about women's condition in Iran, especially in the late 80s/early 90s, many fellow Iranians have criticised this book. Iran's image has been ruined due to political and media's exaggeration of some events in the past 2 decades; We can't efford to have anymore negative images of Iran being told to the people abroad. However, regardless of country's image or what not, I believe that almost every word written in the book is absolute truth. It is well written without cover ups. We must tell more of these truthful stories about Iranian women and their terrible position in the Islamic tyranny of Iran.

Why the questioning of Mrs. Mosteshar's motives? A very honest and clear account of ONE person's experiences. How would we feel in the same circumstances? Have some compassion, you cynical, self-righteous types. This was a very moving account of one person's experience and reaction to a totally different life method. Sad, basic, tragic and a comment on the arrogance we all have about ourselves before we hit real life (whether that be our own or one forced upon us for whatever reason) Our control or power over our own destiny should not be taken for granted whether we be male or female. It took guts for Mrs Mosteshar to expose her own strengths and weaknesses and in so doing ,alert us to the very real situation of many women in that particular Muslim regime. Well done.