Discovering the history of Iran through the story of different people who were involved in the event preceding and following the Islamic Revolution reveals a very diverse even conflictual ideological and social movements.
The parents of Neda Toloui-Semnani, the author of the memoir They Said They Wanted Revolution were very much involved in the Iranian students movements in the US during the Shah time and continued to believe in the values of the left in the post-revolutionary Iran. As her father was send to prison and eventually murdered, Neda, her mother and her not yet born brother left the country in a hurry heading back to the US.
Shortly after the death of her mother, Neda is putting together a wide array of sources: from diaries - hers and her mother´s - memories of discussions or discussions about discussions, her own account of events, accounts of relatives etc.. The reconstruction of events is worth an important mention and can serve as inspiration for memoir writing.
With the unfolding tragic events in Iran, this book brings to life characters and historical episodes rarely discussed. Hopefully the time will come to write extensively about the left political tradition in Iran. Individual stories, like the ones of Toloui-Semnani must definitely be part thereof.
Rating: 4 stars
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