Journalists can make the best writers, especially when they are able to metamorphosize historical and political facts into unforgettable stories.
French journalist Stéphanie Perez, with an extensive experience covering Middle East and conflict areas in general, was inspired by the tumultous last years of the Shah Pahlavi in Iran to paint a story of the power of art against the ugliness of the everyday life.
Cyrus is a modest young man, living in the outskirts of Tehran, far away from the luxury of the elites. The Pahlavi dynasty who actively promoted Iran´s modernisation and its opening towards the American and Western culture in general, are living their last days of glamour, more and more disconnected from the everyday reality. People from all strains of life are protesting against the enormous display of power and money in the midsts of a population struggling to survive (sounds a bit similar with the current situation).
Cyrus is chosen based on his modesty and lack of ambitions, to be part of the maintenance team in charge with preparing the grandiose opening of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, who long before the Louvre Abu Dhabi was aimed to attract art lovers from all over the world but also to show the enormous soft power accumulated by Tehran. An impressive collection covering a long list of artists, from Renoir to Francis Bacon, Gaugain and Andy Warhol (who lavishly visited Tehran) that will be targeted by the newly reinstated regime of the mullahs. Cyrus though will remain when everyone is leaving, a guardian of Iran´s treasure.
Le Gardien de Téhéran is Perez´s debut novel, but it promises a lot in terms of treatment of historical events as well as story construction. Pahlavi´s regime last years are accurately reproduced. A story of Iran, the book is also a story of love for the history of arts.
What I particularly loved about this book was the choice of characters, each representing different social categories involved in the regime change. Thus, the historical perspective comes to life through a diverse cast of persons, from art dealers to members of the feared secret police Savak.
In the midst of the turmoil, Cyrus is the one keeping himself in the middle. Not blinded by the shining diamonds of the royal court but not trusting the mullahs either, he is able to clearly understand the dramatic changes that are about to destroy his beloved Iran. A love without emphasis, just deep love.
Rating: 4 stars
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