| |  | Author: Gilbert Carl Bortleson
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Dept. of the Interior
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  51 reviews
ASIN: B0006DJBK6
Publication Date: 1991
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| Customer Reviews:
 I never read travel books... February 15, 2005
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
... however, as a required reading for a class I am currently enrolled in, I am extremely glad that my instructor chose Honeymoon in Purdah! Wearing promises and delivers beyond the expectations outlined on the back of the book/jackets.
Can't wait to read more about Wearing's travels around the globe!
Refreshing change from melodrama March 7, 2004
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
As a person who reads a lot of books about the middle east, specifically about middle eastern women, I was delighted to find that this book wasn't written with a strong political agenda. I was beginning to get weary of books that railed nonstop against hejab, and even though Alison Wearing does complain about it, she also describes the feeling of comfort and safety it affords her, probably mirroring an ambivalence many Iranian women have.
I don't agree with the first reviewers criticism that the book implies that the only way into Iran is by bus, and that it makes Iranians look poor because they have no furniture. I might be biased because I'm more familiar with Iranian culture, but these things didn't suggest that to me. The author was obviously an adventurous sort who preferred the bus, and would people so graspingly poor that they couldn't afford furniture be able to lavish gifts and food on strangers in the way she describes? i think the above reviewer was a little oversensitive about how Iranaians are portrayed.
I loved that the book emphasized the intensely hospitable and friendly nature of the Iranian people- an element I've found sadly lacking in books that just like to focus on what is wrong with the culture. The book has its flaws (when Wearing gets poetic, she sounds a little sily, but fortunately this is rare), but her funny voice, honesty (she knows when she is being culturally insensitive, and doesn't gloss over it), and gift for writing believeable dialogue more than make up for it. A fun, funny, and touching read.
 Interesting combination of truths and misrepresentations January 16, 2004
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Let me start by saying that my father is Iranian, and that I have visited Iran several times. I believe that this book captures a lot of the spirit of Iranians. I recognized patterns of behavior in the people described by the author from my own experiences with the Iranian half of my family both in Iran and here in America. I found several misrepresentations in the stories, though. Taking a three day bus trip from Turkey is one way to enter Iran, but the author never mentions that you can get a flight to Tehran from many European cities that only takes a few hours. She makes the entire country seem almost impossible to access. She completely glossed over her time in Tehran, where life is often drastically different than in the smaller cities she visited. Her references to people's lack of furniture made them seem poor, when in fact, it is part of the culture to eat and sleep on the floor. I have two female cousins in Tehran who are doctors, but the average reader would probably think that such a career choice was impossible for Iranian women if this was the only book they read about the country. Overall, this was an interesting read, but I don't recommend it as a comprehensive guide to Iran. Read it if you already know some facts about Iran and want to get a feel for the people.
Well done, Ms. Wearing October 15, 2003
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a very good book about a Westerner's experience in the mystery called Iran. Even though Ms. Wearing proves to be a rather naive and not-so-sensitive tourist towards the culutures and sentiments of Iranians, she has a sincere and refreshing view.
The fact that Ms. Wearing focuses on people only and does not discuss any details about the rich history, culture, monuments and places that make Iran so unique and draw thousands of tourists every year was a bit disappointing. However, I consider this as Ms. Wearing's personal intention and idea and respect her for this particular decision.
It should be noted, however, that she mostly interacts with small-town Iranian citizens who are a world different than almost one-third of the population living in big cities with a very different lifestyle. Being a "big city" Iranian myself, I felt something missing there.
Ms. Wearing has a great sense of humor and proves to be an amusing storyteller. I salute her for a job well done.
The most enjoyable travel memoir I've read in years. August 31, 2003
When all your information about the Middle East has come from the news, it's so enlightening to read about the real humanity of the people of Iran. I'm going to recommend this book to my teenager's history teacher and if I knew George Bush, I'd recommend it to him as well.
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