Christiane Bird
Neither East Nor West
One Woman's Journey Through The Islamic Republic Of Iran
Washington Square Press
2002
This travelogue recounts the experiences of a woman traveling in Iran once the borders were opened to foreign travelers in the late 1990s. Ms. Bird had lived in Iran as a child; her father was a doctor working for a Christian mission.
As a woman, she is attuned to the conditions affecting native women, especially since she is forced to observe some of the local customs related to women in her travels. As an American, she has her problems with these restrictions; however, her acquaintances with women in their private lives show a side of life not often heard about.
Ms. Bird was received with a warmth and hospitality one might not expect. She noted that Iranians accepted her as an individual American when, at the same time, they could not tolerate what the American government and nation represented.
While readers may find that they differ with the opinions of the writer, this book stands as a very readable account with lots of good information that you can process for yourself. We are fortunate to be able to learn about Iran through writers such as this one, and some of the films and writings now becoming available from that part of the world.
This book is also available at
Amazon.co.uk
Other books by this author, or related books if none are available: