Books matching: political upheaval
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Whirlwind' by James Clavell is an epic novel set in revolutionary Iran during the fall of the Shah's regime. The story follows Andrew Gavallan, who runs a helicopter company in Iran and must navigate the chaos and upheaval as Khomeini comes to power. The book delves into the struggles faced by a diverse set of characters including lovers, spies, revolutionaries, and foreigners, highlighting the clash between Westernized lifestyles and ancient traditions. Clavell's writing style effectively captures the fear and uncertainty of being a foreigner in Iran at that tumultuous time, with intricate plot twists and a strong portrayal of historical events.
Hussain Kowissi was a powerfully built Iranian of thirty-four, his skin light and his eyes and beard very dark. Over his shoulder was a Soviet AK47 assault rifle. He was bundled against the cold and w...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Asian Saga ) - #2
Save:The novel 'Sweetness In The Belly' by Camilla Gibb follows the life of Lilly, an English girl who is raised as a Muslim after her parents' death in North Africa. The story takes readers on a journey through Lilly's experiences in Ethiopia and London, exploring themes of faith, love, politics, and cultural identity. The narrative seamlessly weaves between Lilly's past in Ethiopia during the 70s and her present life in London in the 80s, providing a rich tapestry of different cultures and settings. Gibb's writing effortlessly transports the reader to the vibrant streets of Harar and the immigrant communities of London, offering a poignant exploration of belonging and resilience.
Through Lilly's compelling story, the novel delves into the complexities of identity, faith, and relationships, showcasing Gibb's research and storytelling skills. The book shines a light on Ethiopian history, Muslim traditions, and the challenges faced by refugees, all while presenting a nuanced portrayal of Lilly's journey from a young girl in Africa to a nurse in England. Gibb's writing style effortlessly captures the essence of each setting, from the bustling streets of Harar to the multicultural landscape of London, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience.
- #3
Save:Set largely in China, readers become acquainted with the families of Sparrow and Kai at the Shanghai Conservatory in the 1960s, pulling the narrative forward from the Communist Revolution to the demonstrations at Tiananmen Square and even providing updates after that event. The book shows a relationship between mathematics and music. As a genealogist, I was particularly drawn to the mentions of the Book of Records. As a musician, I was drawn to the rest of the story. The writing was strong. A more in depth knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history would make the work more enjoyable than it already was. The book was well deserving of its shortlisting for the Man Booker Prize. Thien's magnum opus reminded me of The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes, a fictionalized biography of Shostakovich trying to survive under the thumb of Stalin. Thien's book is an ambitious, multi generational, multi layered story, beginning in Vancouver but focusing on the cultural revolution in China. Thien's quiet writing belies the emotional depth of a story that describes people trying to endure and retain their human spirit through their love of music and art. It is advisable to pay attention because, although brilliant, this is not an easy read that has many characters and a lot happening with the risk of significant ramifications. By the time I reached the events at Tiananmen Square I was completely hooked. I wish I had known more about Chinese history and government before I started. This is a novel of epic scope and ambition, a complex family story that starts in the China of the 1950s and ends in the present day. The pivotal events are the Cultural Revolution, and specifically the destruction of the Shanghai Conservatory and the denunciations of the musicians there, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and their violent aftermath. There are also many other themes largely musical but also some intriguing digressions on Chinese writing and mathematics. Thien's characters are memorable and I found the book compulsively readable and moving. For most of the book I thought this was one of the best books I had read all year, but later I felt a little let down, firstly because of a glaring factual error in which she claims that Bach and Busoni were born 300 years apart the true figure is no more than 181 and also because the story lost a little impetus and clarity of focus towards the end. I still think it is the best book on the Booker shortlist and would make a worthy winner. This is a wonderful written family saga of recent Chinese history with a lovely focus on music, epic novels and love. A young man watches China transform after a brutal civil war, falls in love with western music, endures the Cultural Revolution and throughout the events leading up the Tienanmen Square massacre. Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeline Thien is a multi generational novel about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and afterwards that puts all other multi generational novels to shame. It's really good, combining wonderful and vibrant character studies with excellent writing and story structure. Thien deserves all the praise she's received for this book. Marie is a girl living Vancouver, Canada, with her mother, her father having returned to China and committed suicide, when they are joined by Ai ming, a college student fleeing China in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square. She leaves them to go to the US in hopes of being granted asylum and Marie never sees her again. In adulthood, Marie undertakes a search for Ai ming, who may have returned to China. As her search goes on, the story is told of how Ai ming and Marie's family were connected and goes further back to the story of Ai ming's parents and grandparents, as they survive WWII, Mao's reign as dictator and on into the turmoil of Tiananmen Square. It's a lot of history, and a quantity of characters, but Thien juggles the storylines adeptly and makes each character from Big Mother Knife to Marie herself, vivid and complex. This is a novel well worth reading. Also, it's a page turner.
IN A SINGLE YEAR, my father left us twice. The first time, to end his marriage, and the second, when he took his own life. That year, 1989, my mother flew to Hong Kong and laid my father to rest in a ... - #4
Save:'Daughters of Rome' by Kate Quinn is a historical fiction novel set during the unstable 'Year of the Four Emperors' in ancient Rome. The story follows the lives of four female cousins, Cornelia, Marcella, Lollia, and Diana, as they navigate personal and political turmoil during this tumultuous period. Each character undergoes significant transformations throughout the novel, reflecting the changes and tumult of the historical events they are entwined in. The author skillfully weaves together historical facts with imaginative storytelling, immersing the reader in the grandeur and brutality of ancient Rome.
The narrative unfolds through multiple viewpoints, offering insights into the complex and diverse characters in 'Daughters of Rome.' The author, Kate Quinn, expertly subverts reader expectations about the characters, creating a gripping storyline that keeps the reader engaged. Through the experiences of the four cousins, readers witness love, death, war, friendship, and sisterhood, showcasing the different ways women responded to the challenges of being Patrician women in ancient Rome.
“Don’t tempt me.” Cornelia sighed, looking up the length of the spear. “Lollia and her weddings . . . I sent my maid out for just the spearhead, but of course she came back with the whole spear. Put t...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Empress of Rome ) - #5
Save:The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is a poignant love story set in 1953 Tehran, where Roya and Bahman's budding romance is interrupted by a coup d'etat. The book immerses readers in the vibrant world of Iran, filled with rich descriptions of the country's sights, scents, and sounds. Despite the historical backdrop, some readers found the political elements to be lacking in depth, while others appreciated the emotional depth of the love story.
Roya's journey to uncover the truth about Bahman's disappearance spans nearly sixty years, leading her from Iran to California and back. The book weaves together themes of love, loss, and longing against the backdrop of Iran's turbulent history. While some readers praised the book for its beautiful writing style and engaging plot, others found the storyline to be predictable and the characters to be somewhat clichéd.
He came around and opened the car door because he was Walter, because he had been raised by a mother (Alice: kind, sweet, smelled of potato salad) who had taught him how to treat a lady. Because he wa... - #6
Save:The Immortals of Tehran by Ali Araghi is a multigenerational saga that follows the life journey of Ahmad, a mute poet, through the years before and during the Iranian revolution. The book seamlessly weaves together family dynamics with larger political events such as the reign of the Shah, the Islamic Revolution, and the Iran-Iraq war. The writing style incorporates elements of magical realism, creating a world where mystical tales and historical events converge to shape the destiny of the characters.
In the midst of political turmoil, the story delves into Ahmad's experiences as a worker in a metal forge, a poet, a lover, an activist, a politician, and a teacher. The narrative explores the interplay of family life with large-scale politics, infused with an element of magic and myth that adds depth to the author's debut novel. The book is characterized by a rich cultural backdrop, engaging character relationships, and a plot that evokes a range of emotions from laughter to tears, making it a compelling read that offers a unique perspective on Iran's history and culture.
- #7
Save:'Sugar Street' is the third installment in 'The Cairo Trilogy' by Naguib Mahfouz, focusing on the lives of three generations of a Cairo family from 1935 to 1944. The novel delves into the family dynamics, political landscape, and societal changes in Egypt during this period. Through the characters' experiences, the reader witnesses the struggles, joys, tragedies, and growth within the family against the backdrop of a changing Egypt. Mahfouz's writing style utilizes dialogue, internal thoughts, and vivid descriptions to portray the complexities of human relationships and the impact of historical events on individuals.
The narrative of 'Sugar Street' intricately weaves together the personal lives of the characters with the broader political and philosophical discussions of the time. The story explores themes of generational conflicts, societal norms, and the pursuit of individual identity within the constraints of tradition and modernity. Mahfouz skillfully portrays the evolution of the family members as they navigate through life's challenges, revealing the intertwined destinies of the characters and the nation during a pivotal period in Egypt's history.
THEIR HEADS were huddled around the brazier, and their hands were spread over its fire: Amina’s thin and gaunt, Aisha’s stiff, and Umm Hanafi’s like the shell of a turtle. The beautiful pure-white one...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Cairo Trilogy ) - #8
Save:'The First Man in Rome' by Colleen McCullough is a detailed and immersive historical fiction novel set in the late 100s BC, focusing on the rise of Gaius Marius, a seven-time Roman consul. The book delves into the political intrigue, historical events, and character-driven drama of the Roman Republic. McCullough's meticulous research is evident in the recreation of the Roman world, with detailed maps, glossaries, and pencil drawings of key characters. The story unfolds through multi-threaded plotlines and a wide array of characters, requiring readers to navigate through the complexity of Rome's political landscape.
The writing style in 'The First Man in Rome' has been described as dense and detailed, with a focus on historical accuracy and vivid recreation of ancient Rome. The narrative is filled with background information provided through epistles, which can be tiring at times. Despite some criticisms of the writing being slow and ponderous, the book presents a rich tapestry of Roman life, military campaigns, and political struggles, making it an educational and engaging read for those interested in the Roman Republic.
Having no personal commitment to either ofthe new consuls, Gaius Julius Caesar and his sons simply tacked themselves onto the procession which started nearest to their own house, the procession of the... - #9
Save:Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran is a moving tale based on the true story of Shu Wen, a Chinese woman who embarks on a 30-year journey to Tibet in search of her missing husband, a doctor with the People's Liberation Army. The book beautifully captures Wen's emotional journey, her encounters with Tibetan nomads, and her unwavering love and determination to find the truth about her husband's fate. Written in a simple yet captivating style, the narrative provides a fascinating insight into Tibetan culture, the landscapes of Tibet, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Her inscrutable eyes looked past me at the world outside the window—the crowded street, the noisy traffic, the regimented lines of modern tower blocks. What could she see there that held such interest... - #10
Save:'The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism' by Ross King delves into the transformative period between 1863 and 1873 in France, focusing on the emergence of Impressionism through the lives and careers of painters Ernest Meissonier and Edouard Manet. King meticulously narrates the struggles and successes of these artists amidst the backdrop of the Paris Salon, societal upheavals like the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, and the changing landscape of the art world. Through a detailed exploration of the art scene, King weaves a compelling story that not only showcases the evolution of artistic movements but also provides insight into the political and cultural milieu of the time.
From his vantage point at the top of his mansion this most renowned artist could have seen all that his tremendous success had bought him. A stable housed his eight horses and a coach house his fleet ...
