Popular author Ellis talks about how honored she is that the "real" Farrin shared this story with her. What? It is true?
Of course. Of course it is. And what a heart-wrenching true story it is to hold. I can only imagine what Ellis is referring to. Farrin's story, told as accurately and detailed as Ellis could, took my understanding of all sorts of life experiences and expanded those many times over. Ellis' engaging story telling frames an experience that I believe would change my life; it appears to have changed both Ellis' and Farrin's. And in turn, changes ours.
Farrin is a high-school student in Iran, living with her well-off family and watching her mother snark at the conservative Shah. At school, she meets Sadira, a quiet and yet outgoing, comfortable-in-conflict, studious teen whose father remains her only living family member. The revolution continues to threaten life daily, and nightly air raids and shootings are simply factual. Farrin and Sadira's friendship grows through the trials of fear and power misuse both at their school and in their country; over time as they come closer, they realize the dramatic differences between their two families. Found in each other's arms, they are punished severely. I won't spoil the ending for you. A difficult read, this piece of historical fiction remains important to read and contemplate. And then consider how to change our world.
Thank you, Ms Ellis and Farrin.
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