Weaving together a coming-of-age story with a story of political unrest, Aria should be at the top of anyone’s list who wants a candid introduction to life during the Iranian Revolution. Along with Aria, we begin to understand the complexities of gender, religion, and class relations in a politically dynamic time and place.

Throughout Aria’s travels and transformations, the reader is introduced to various perspectives, histories, and contexts making for a more complete picture of the characters and their lives. Taken in by Behrouz Bakhtiar, a soldier who happens to be walking by, she is given the name Aria “after all the world’s pains and all the world’s loves.” Thus begins Aria’s story as she goes from living with Behrouz and Zahra, his abusive wife, to living with a wealthy family, attending school, and much more.

Nazanine Hozar’s debut novel Aria tells the story of a young girl who, as a baby, is found on the streets of Tehran during the political unrest that culminates in the Iranian Revolution. He snatches up the child, and forever alters his own destiny and that of the little girl, whom he names Aria.This article was published in Power Issue #88 | Fall 2020 Subscribe » Curious, he searches for the source, and to his horror comes upon a newborn baby girl abandoned by the side of the road and encircled by ravenous dogs. One night, a humble driver in the Iranian army is walking home through a neighbourhood in Tehran when he hears a small, pitiful cry. It is the early 1950s in a restless Iran, a country powerful with oil wealth but unsettled by class and religious divides and by a larger world hungry for its resources. This event is hosted by blogger and book reviewer Anne Logan of, and is part of Wordfest's monthly book club series on the top floor of Memorial Park Library. Margaret Atwood also praised the book by calling it 'A sweeping saga about the Iranian revolution as it explodes-told from the ground level and the centre of chaos. a poised and dramatic historical novel with contemporary relevance' by John Irving. Have you vowed to wean yourself off Netflix and get some serious reading done this summer – then have a great chat about what you’ve read with an equally engaged group of book lovers?Ĭome prepared to delve into Nazanine Hozar's debut novel, Aria. The book has been called, 'A feminist odyssey, about a girl in a time of intolerance as the revolution in Iran is breaking out.

Aria by Nazanine Hozar