I read almost all of this book in a single day. It is wonderfully easy to read. Written by a woman only three years older than I am, the book took me back to parts of my own childhood (Indians aren’t so different to Iranians in terms of cultural attitudes). I’m very impressed at how good Shappi’s memory is. She describes childhood episodes so honestly and in such detail that they really were a delight to read. I loved the stories of the older members of her extended family too. A welcome bonus was learning a little about Iran and its people. The book is very enjoyable indeed.

(20th in 2012)