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'Beautifully imagined... Simply a stunning debut. One can't help but want to return to the charming main narrator and the entrancing tale of her quest for independence and self-reliance, her daring and honest exploration of love and desire for love, and above all the profound discovery... that she 'must being to understand her own worth' San Francisco Chronicle 'Enjoy the lush, historical detail of Anita Amirrezvani's debut The Blood of Flowers, about a headstrong girl reaching marriageable age in 17th century Iran' ELLE Magazine ‘With more twists and turns than a tawdry Spanish soap opera, as well as spellbinding prose to bewitch you, this is an absolute winner.’ Marie Claire ‘This novel is an easy, compelling read…sensuous and alive with eastern promise…’ Weekend Australian ‘Amirrezvani’s novel…is woven almost as tightly as one of her narrator’s carpets…A great read. ****’ Good Reading ‘It’s a lively [story], told in a beautiful and mesmerising way.’ Sydney Morning Herald ‘Vivid stories converge into a sumptuous tale.’ Sunday Age ‘…a haunting tale.’ Northern Star ‘…hard to put down.’ Sunday Times Debut novelist Amirrezvani delicately weaves this sumptuous tale of female fortitude and ingenuity in seventeenth-century Persia. When her beloved father dies unexpectedly, the marital hopes of a 14-year-old girl are prematurely dashed. Bereft and impoverished, the girl and her mother are forced to move from their village to Isfahan, where they become servants in the house of an uncle. All is not lost, however, since the uncle is a favored rug designer in the court of Shah Abbas the Great. Although she is forced into a less-than-desirable temporary marriage contract, she learns the carpet trade, blossoming as a clever designer and talented knotter. Interwoven with traditional Iranian folktales, as well as fascinating details of the art of the Persian rug, this shimmering fable also owes a significant debt to 1001 Arabian Nights. Margaret Flanagan Booklist 'Rose petals, saffron-dyed wools and pomegranate juice - these are the sort of sensual images that run throughout this colourful story set in 17th century Iran. Backed up by an engaging tale of a determined young girl in difficult circumstances trying to make the best of things and, ultimately, find happiness, this is a gentle, evocative and crowd-pleasing yarn for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha. Full of secret marriages, steam-filled hammams and feisty female behaviour.' IMAGE Magazine 'An unforgettable book, full of fascinating detail about a world still mysterious to most outsiders' Bookgroup.info Everything about Iran-born, former Northern California dance critic Anita Amirrezvani's first novel is meticulously designed: its nine-year creation; its hypnotic cadence and considered approach to plot and characters inspired by Iranian tales and its immaculately researched historical detail, down to its unnamed narrator. It's all crafted, as the author's note indicates, "in tribute to the anonymous artisans of Iran." Beginning with and framed by real and imagined Iranian and Islamic fairy tales, the novel's form is itself homage to past raconteurs and storytelling traditions. Even before the main story is under way, it's clear that "The Blood of Flowers" isn't just any novel. Read the full review… San Francisco Chronicle What an achievement. Iranian-born California journalist Anita Amirrezvani spent nine years working on her first novel, The Blood of Flowers, and the result is a passion-filled, exotic delight. Read the full review… Associated Press Review At times, it seems "The Blood of Flowers" is too complex, what with themes ranging from carpet-weaving to age-old Iranian traditions to the oppression of women. Yet, like the most prized Persian rugs, it all fits together beautifully. Read the full review… USA Today In her debut novel, The Blood of Flowers, Anita Amirrezvani travels back in time to 17th century Iran, where she unfolds a story about the place of women in Islamic society. It is part historical fiction, part subtle feminist treatise, part soap opera. Read the full review… Chicago Sun-Times The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani (June 5) set in 17th-century Iran, is her No. 1 novel—“the most beautiful book, bar none.” USA Today 2007 Summer Books For Borders’ Ann Binkley Anita Amirrezvani’s vibrant debut follows the fate of an ambitious girl in seventeenth-century Persia. Vogue
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BOOKSELLER COMMENTS
“We can taste, smell and feel the life that swirls around a girl from a remote 17th century Persian village who is forced to move to the busy, exotic city of Isfahan where she and her mother become servants to rich relatives. Gradually, her uncle, a legendary carpet maker, teaches her his secret craft. She finds her way in a world of intrigue, cruelty and betrayal. Like a weaver of a magnificent Persian carpet, Amirrezvani gives us a story that is both complex and fascinating.” Elaine Petrocelli, Book Passage (San Francisco, CA) “The Blood of Flowers is a classic tale of an underdog who faces almost insurmountable obstacles to make her way independently in the world and succeeds admirably. An excellent book group choice, and an educational read as well.” Susan Taylor, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza (Albany, NY) “This is a beautifully written account of the teen years of Azizam, a talented carpet designer growing up in 17th century Iran who is trying to live her own life in a society that only values submission in women. Amirrezvani’s writing is almost poetic, particularly when Azizam is telling fairy tales in an attempt to make sense of the world around her. A fabulous, heart-breaking, coming of age novel!” Mary Cowen, Anderson’s Bookshop (Naperville, IL) “A unique and luminous coming-of-age story that takes place in 17th century Iran. A young woman and her mother struggle to survive after her fathers death, and end up in the home of a wealthy uncle who teaches her the craft of rug weaving. A tale as brilliantly woven as the rugs she weaves, the prose full of poetic imagery, with characters that come to life, I could not put this book down. A sure-to-be bookclub favorite, I cannot wait to start recommending this compelling read!” Linda Grana, Lafayette Books (Layfayette, CA) “This wonderful novel transports you to 17th century Iran and a world full of beautiful images of the Iranian countryside—a fabulous city, its markets, slums, and wealthy homes. This compelling novel provides the charm of an old fashioned fairy tale which will keep you wanting more.” Lynn Gonchar, Tudor Bookshop (Kingston, PA) “I read this book and found it intriguing. It plays to my interest in Persian rugs and their making, & to my love of history, especially that of the Middle East & of women. The recurring stories of the plights of women in cultures and places far removed can not be over told, I think. Contemporary women and men must hear them again and again. I will heartily recommend this one.” Jane Moser, Brazos Books (Houston, TX) “Some things never change and the struggle to be a working woman appears to be centuries old. Blood of Flowers is a powerful story and Anita Amirrezvani is a powerful storyteller. Bookclubs will love this book. So much to discuss - the struggle, the success, and the sorrow.” Wanda Jewell, Executive Director, SIBA
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