Brought up as an orphan in a remote desert town, Gohar is adopted by an influential aristocratic family from Tehran and at fourteen married off to a politician forty years her senior. She persuades her conservative husband to take her to Tehran, just as parliament deputies embark on reforms aimed at ending corruption and meddling by foreigners, despite Russian opposition. In a rapidly changing Tehran Gohar joins a group of secular women supporting the reforms and foil the Russian spy master, Smirnsky’s plot to create chaos in Iran.
When Smirnsky’s plots to overthrow the Iranian government fail, the Russians occupy northern Iran. As Tehran burns in ensuing protests, Gohar falls in love with Aslan, a young Russian advocating democracy in Iran who had been instrumental in foiling Smirnsky’s plans. As the Russians approach Tehran, Smirnsky demands the hand-over of Aslan as a condition of peace. Gohar is torn between following Aslan and her duty to stay in Iran with her family.
Silenced Whispers, by debut novelist Afarin Bellisario, is a sumptuous feast of a book: deeply felt romance, political intrigue, fascinating history, and a female protagonist set in early 20th century Iran, whose goals and desires make her a heroine we can easily root for today. A must-read!
A captivating and page-turning tale of a cross-cultural love affair set in Iran at a time of political upheaval and societal change by an author with intimate knowledge of her homeland...Magnificent for its historical, political, and cultural breadth.
Silenced Whispers, by debut novelist Afarin Bellisario, is a sumptuous feast of a book: deeply felt romance, political intrigue, fascinating history, and a female protagonist set in early 20th century Iran, whose goals and desires make her a heroine we can easily root for today. A must-read!
Didn’t want to put the book down to sleep. Well written, well-plotted, and historically interesting. The book is well editted and professionally produced, a rare feat these days even from major publisher, let alone a small one.
