Together Tea

Read the Lion Women of Tehran and then this. Both are lovely books. Lion women of Tehran tugs at your heart and this is a book of memories and sweet childhood

It's an amazing story woven in Iran and the US and talks of the lead characters journey to discovering herself and love. This book will make you happy but also will reveal what the revolution did to Iran and subsequently to people who fled the authoritarian regime.

"Together Tea" is a poignant and evocative novel exploring themes of identity, culture, family, and belonging. The story follows Darya, an Iranian-American woman, as she navigates her complicated past, cultural heritage, and complex relationships.

An unputdownable book. Filled with emotions, memories, childhood, horrific effects of wars and many more. Such excellent use of imageries by the author. A great piece of work. Must read.

The condition of the book received was very good, it's brand new And I love the story too. I would recommend this to my fellow readers

So this was my third read from the author and there's a certain inimitable style that holds all the three books together and adds similarity to the writing and characterisations to an extent. Not as good as the Lion Woman of Tehran but can be read on the casual. Good character development, storyline is not something unheard of before in fiction build on similar lines, vivid description of Persipolis. On the negatives, some of the forced coincidences that I have seen from the author in The Stationary Shop of Iran too...towards the end there's a hurried scatter of plots and a desperate attempt to bring everything together under a utopic sun. And then there's marriage, the ultimate culmination of everything good and supersonic coincidences that lead to the same. The author should attempt at a more realistic portrayal of reality.

Enjoyed this book very much.

A beautiful story of two women and the choices that helped shape their lives. A very well written, page turner that you won’t want to put down until you’ve turned the last page. I can’t wait to explore more novels from this author, Marjan Kamali

Excellent book. Beautifully depict the characters and their approach.

This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn about Persian culture, contemporary Iran, immigration, and belonging. The book is told by the third person narrator, focuses on two characters: Mina, the daughter and Darya, the mother. It is the story of coming of age in US with Persian culture at home and American culture outside. The themes of immigration, cultural assimilation, and identity can remind the reader similar novels: Lipstick Jihad, Persepolis, and Namesake to name a few. The protagonists in all these novels, return to their homeland in their quest for their identity. There comes a point in Mina's life that she feels the need to go back to Iran to figure herself out. Ironically, Darya, who hasn't had any desire to go back to Iran, feels the need in her life to go back to Iran to make some sense out of her life: her relationship with her husband, Parviz and her infatuation with Sam. Despite the family's rejection: Parviz and the sons, Mina and Darya embark on their journey to Iran after living fifteen years in exile. The reader learns a lot about Persian culture, food, social etiquettes, and the resentment of Iranians for exiles for leaving them during the most pivotal time: Iran/ Iraq war. Mina finds herself in a similar and awkward position of defending the people of her country (this time US) for the actions of their government. She was upset at first for being treated as the one who left the country behind, but she was able to feel much empathy for her relatives for what they've gone through and felt the guilt over living in exile. She was able to reestablish her relationship with her best friend and find love. Darya realized Mina is very strong and can accomplish whatever she sets her mind into.. She no longer needed to use her spreadsheets to find a suitor for MIna. She will be OK with or without a man for survival. She accepted the realities of her life, her marriage to Parviz and her children's accomplishments. On the last day of their trip in Iran, Mina and Darya are in Isfahan, Imam Square, the famous Islamic architecture from the Safavid. Darya wants to make this trip very memorable for Mina. She knew of the famous coffee/tea house in the Thirty Three bridges. She tells Mina let's go there and have our "Together Tea.". This was very symbolic for Darya whose early memories in the US was of mothers and daughters having tea together & her wish that one day she will be able to have "Together Tea" with her daughter.

I have read many books about the younger generation rebelling against traditions, especially arranged marriages. I was prepared for one more story, a quick and easy read. Well, it was quick and easy because I couldn't put it down. This book is very well written, the characters endearing and well developed and the story is told with humor but is never vulgar. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because I couldn't quite buy the 3 ladies meeting periodically to amuse themselves with advanced mathematics. I thought this was a bit far-fetched. I especially liked the journey back to a much-changed Iran seen through the eyes of a young Iranian-born American. The author gives us a glimpse of the rigidity and gender-biased new system, the fears it engenders and the determination of the younger generation to challenge same system. Enough is said to give the reader a very good idea of the new regime without resorting to theatrics. I found this all the more powerful because it was told very simply. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read more from Marjan Kamali.