Comparing Fatemeh Keshavarz And Reading Lolita In Tehran By

“Reading More Than Lolita in Tehran” author Fatemeh Keshavarz and Author Azar Nafisi of “Reading Lolita in Tehran: a Memoir in Books” share a few similarities because they have both shed light on the struggles of Iranian women in their own way. Nafisi’s “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” written in 2003, was a glimpse into the lives of seven Iranian women. Nafisi’s book, whether you agreed or not, paved the way for other Iranian feminist authors. Despite Keshavarz’s disapproval of Nafisi’s memoir, both books have both similarities and differences, but have also created a path for future generations of Iranian women. Nafisi and Keshavarz are similar in the fact that they are both Iranian feminists who used literature to open people’s eyes to the trouble of Iranian women. Nafisi felt she was being attacked as a woman and a writer, and she needed to react. This compelled her to tell the story of the trouble of the Iranian women, including herself. Keshavarz also felt compelled to tell her story, but not merely because of her culture, rather because of the stereotypes she felt were being represented by Nafisi’s memoirs. She decided to “provide an alternative to learn about an unfamiliar culture (Keshavarz, 2007).” Unfortunately,
I, myself, found this book to be completely thought-provoking and encouraging for young Iranian women. Whether the women’s situations are true or heavily exaggerated, one cannot help but be interested in their lives. Additionally, one cannot help but be curious as to whether their lives are similar to other Iranian women. Much like a novel, her memoir sparked debate and concern among those inside and outside of that culture. Keshavarz’s story also created additional debate and concern among the same, including their previous thoughts on “Reading Lolita in