The Blood of Flowers

By: Anita Amirrezvani

Narrated by: Shohreh Aghdashloo

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In 17th-century Persia, a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. When her beloved father dies, she and her mother find themselves alone and without a dowry. With nowhere else to go, they are forced to sell the brilliant turquoise rug the young woman has woven to pay for their journey to Isfahan, where they will work as servants for her uncle, a rich rug designer in the court of the legendary Shah Abbas the Great.

Despite her lowly station, the young woman blossoms as a brilliant designer of carpets, a rarity in a craft dominated by men. But while her talent flourishes, her prospects for a happy marriage grow dim. Forced into a secret marriage to a wealthy man, the young woman finds herself faced with a daunting decision: forsake her own dignity, or risk everything she has in an effort to create a new life.

©2007 Anita Amirrezvani (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Sumptuous imagery and a modern sensibility...make this a winning debut." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful story

Any additional comments?

When listening to audiobooks, I (being the picky person that I am) usually find that something is lacking either in narration, editing, or the story itself. However, this book is worthy of 5 stars. The story unfolds slowly and eloquently, with such beautiful detail that it feels like a rich dessert for the senses. Ever read a book that seemed to end before the actual story was over, as if the author lost the drive to continue and decided to leave the conclusion up to the readers' imagination? There were a couple points in the story where I expected that to happen- the author would simply end it and I'd be left wanting more. Luckily, this writer lovingly weaves the entire story together herself all the way through, leaving little left untold.

WARNING: YOU CAN'T STOP LISTENING!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The author's words skillfully and literally paint pictures while the narrator's voice/performance absolutely brings this story to life. This is one of the most beautiful and most luscious stories I have ever listed to. The turns of the main character's life are like one of the magnificent rugs she so admires and strives to achieve. Each colorful thread (or life experience) is a necessary contribution to her ultimate design. I highly recommend and will even go so far as to beg anyone and everyone who is looking for an exceptional story to listen/read The Blood of Flowers (Warning: contains sexually explicit passages, which may not be appropriate for children).

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Blood of Flowers?

As the main character's mother was known for her 'honeyed-voice' and story-telling skills, I too was captivated by the many short-stories, anecdotes, etc., which the author wove into her main story.

What does Shohreh Aghdashloo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

THIS NARRATOR IS SPECTACULAR AND BEYOND WORDS! For me, listening to this book was pure magic as Shohreh's voice, her natural persian accent and her depth of emotion perfectly captured the characters and exotic elements in this book. I was transported and entranced!

Any additional comments?

As in any good book, there are aspects of this story which are devistating and heartbreaking but there is also hope. I fell in love with this audiobook. I loved the history, the culture, the saddness and the author's wonderous descriptions of Isfahan and its extreme opulence versus its poverty the main character encounters. Anita Amirrezvani is truely a gifted writer and I am definitely going to purchase EVERY audiobook narrated by Shohreh Aghdashloo.

Phenomenal

English spoken in any accent has a rhythm of it's own, which when found in the reading of this book, adds depth and authenticity to the richly woven characters in this coming of age novel that women of any age will intuitivley recognize and know. A wonderful escape to a mysterious new world that is both exciting and hauntingly familiar. Worth every minute.

Very good book!

Learned about iranian culture and I have to label this a book after my own hart...

Great Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The author wrote beautifully and lent to my imagination greatly. I had a hard time with the narrator's accent in the beginning and got use to it shortly after continuing the book.

Just fyi.

There's some material that's Not Safe for Work. Might be good to know. Otherwise, the narration is masterful (probably the best I've heard), the story excellent.

A Girl in 17th Century Persia . . . A Man's World

Young, naive, and much beloved by her father, a fourteen year old girl and her mother trek across Iran (Persia) following her father's death, to seek protection, shelter and aid from their only relative, an uncle who lives in Isfahan. Taken in as household help, the girl continues her work of knotting rugs with her gifted fingers, a task she adores, but first she must complete all the work assigned to her by her uncles wife each day. Both mother and daughter, fearful of being thrown out on the streets, submit to the woman, toiling day after day. The beautiful and exotic folk tales told by the mother are one of the best things about the book, evoking a myriad of emotions. I had, and still have a very hard time listening to and accepting the strange beliefs of the Muslim religion . . . which in Iran is a way of life . . . and the dominance of men over women, allowing women no choices is beyond heartbreaking. But to get even a glimpse of what this entails, we in the western world, must begin somewhere . . . and the Blood of Flowers is a good place to start . . . the women of Persia (Iran) are of worth, of beauty, and are talented . . . and are down trodden . . . used as much as cattle, at the beck and call of men . . . for that reason alone, this book is a cause for hope and for joy . . . because one choice, one little spark, one success . . . then or now . . . brings light into the darkness . . .

Loved this book

Narrorator was teriffic ! I really was transported into the story line. A must listen too

Beautiful story and characters

Such a richly woven tale. You are hopelessly entangled as you fall in love with the story and the very human characters. You will never look at a Persian carpet the same way again.

A rug worthy of the kings!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! It was as well-designed as the rugs described in the book! The characters and the stories within the main story all played together in sync, pleasing the heart.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The heroine; she was real, believable and possible to identify with, and sympathize with.

What about Shohreh Aghdashloo’s performance did you like?

She seemed to feel it. Also, her voice was perfect for the story.