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The Blood of Flowers: A Novel
 

The Blood of Flowers: A Novel

by Anita Amirrezvani

In 17th-century Persia, a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. But 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... (read more)

Top tags: historical fiction,  middle east,  fiction,  iran,  persia (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • India and South Asia Discussion Group
  • UrBan DiaTribe Discussion Group
  • Historical Fiction Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (3)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

Amellia
  • Rated 5 stars

“What happens to a girl who's apparently lost all hope? She lost her father, and her home...and more things as the book progresses.

People tell you to be strong, they say it's important to move on...but how?

This book has so much to offer. I would love to give a list, but at the same time I think it's important for the reader to experience these topics on their own. I can say, I was mesmerized by the main character. Although all her choices are not the right ones (we all...”

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Didn’t Like It

Betty B
  • Rated 1 stars

“Unnecessary device of never giving the main character's name. Plot was simple, a little repetitive, and predictable. The peek into the Middle Eastern culture in the 1600's from a woman's point of view was the compelling aspect of the book.”

Betty B’s full review »
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Community:
  • Rated 4.129771 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Mango Chutney

    mango chutney said:

    “What a unique book! After reading this book, I really do think twice when I look at a Persian rug! The author is a gifted story teller who also weaves Persian tales within the storyline of her book. Definitely a must read for those interested in culture and time period!”

    posted Friday, April 4 2008
  • toucan

    toucan said:

    “One of the lasting pleasures of this book is that I can never look at a rug again without thinking about the art invested in this workaday object. The art of the designer, the skill of the knotter, the hopes and ambitions woven deep into the wools and dyes. And the phenomenon of temporary marriage is still alive today which also raises a lot of questions and reflection. ”

    posted Tuesday, October 23 2007
  • dingsy

    dingsy said:

    “Loved the structure of this novel, with the folk tales interspersed throughout., which gave it a magical feel. The descriptive scenes were breathtaking,and gave me lots of information about a place and period in time about which I know very little.
    I'd disagree slightly with skrishna's assesment of the heroine. Her decisions were predictable-but she was so unique for her time, in that she actually made decisions for herself, as opposed to having decisions taken for her by the male family members-so keeping this in mind, I felt it made her predicaments and decisions quite riveting in their own right. While we can see the consequences, the fact that she was brave enough to defy convention on numerous occasions, did lend a certain tension to the overall plot. But it has to be the sheer poetry of the descriptive scenes which made this so appealing to me-highly recommended.”

    posted Thursday, September 13 2007
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