The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani ISBN: 9780316065764
Little, Brown and Company
$23.99 Hardcover Available
What's It About?
After her father dies and her dowry is gone, a young Persian woman must work for her rug merchant uncle and make her way in this novel set in the 17th century.
Who's Talking About It?
"It is a feat to bring off a serious, historically-set novel where the history doesn't overwhelm the human story, nor does the human tale simply use the history as furniture. This most impressive, captivating debut--a novel of a young woman finding her way into life in 17th century Iran--is one that does justice to both story and history."--Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
“An engrossing, enthralling tale of a girl's quest for self-determination.”--Emma Donoghue, author of Landing and Slammerkin
“Sensuous and transporting.”--Geraldine Brooks, author of March
“With journalistic clarity, Amirrezvani describes how to make a carpet knot by knot, and then sell it negotiation by negotiation, guiding readers through workshops and bazaars. Sumptuous imagery and a modern sensibility make this a winning debut.”--Publishers Weekly
“Readers will not be able to put this book down, from the once-upon-a-time beginning to the well-crafted end.”--School Library Journal
“…the main character is as complex and interesting as the patterns she weaves.”--Library Journal
The Blood of Flowers is this month's #1 Book Sense Pick.
Who's Going to Read It?
Fans of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring and Anita Diamant's The Red Tent will find The Blood of Flowers is an engrossing story that illuminates a woman's life in a little-known place and time.
From The Blood of Flowers:
I sat behind the loom as I had seen the men do at the royal rug workshop, my design in my hand, and tried to call out the colors at just the right moment. Every day, we worked from mid-morning until it was time to eat, and then resumed again until the middle of the afternoon. I made sure they had plenty of tea and sweetmeats, so they would work with ease: and at midday, we all ate together. I suspected it was the only meal they could be sure of. It made me feel good to help them, for I had once felt the ache of hunger myself.
