Traveling to Iran with her roommate Ian in the guise of a couple on their honeymoon, Canadian writer Alison Wearing paints a touching and often humorous portrait of a country frequently misunderstood by the West. Although she touches lightly on the country's history, geography, and religion, this is first and foremost a book about her encounters with the Iranian people, whose hospitality and generosity are stunning from a Western point of view. It seems that she can barely step outside without being welcomed into a stranger's home and lavished with food and kindness.

Some of Wearing's experiences show the painful history and religious fervor with which Westerners are so familiar. She witnesses the grim Ashura procession marking the martyrdom of Shiites' revered Imam Hussein and meets a man scarred by the torture he suffered at the hands of the Shah. She struggles with the chaador, sweating under the blazing sun and trying to keep the garment from ending up on the ground, yet finds a certain measure of comfort in wearing it. Most of her encounters, however, reveal a multi-faceted Iran invisible to most Westerners, full of complexity and warmth. There is a bubbly Mexican expat devoted to her Christian faith; an impish twentysomething who spent 12 years in California and works a $3 a day job while selling opium in hopes of returning (and who shows off the empty box of condoms above his bed); and a couple who insists on driving Wearing to a desert oasis to cool off, leaving Ian the message: "Mister Canada, we take your wife. We make her cold."

I couldn't put this book down. Wearing's humor, adventurous spirit, and openness to whatever her travels may bring make "Honeymoon in Purdah" a joy to read.

This book is really simple, funny and educational for whom like to know about Iranian culture and their way of life. I suggest all Canadian/Iranian (( the writer is Canadian, who travels to Iran )) to read this book and bet you gonna have moments of tear and laughter w surprising ending.
Also, if you are planning to have an exotic trip to Iran, read this book, bet you gonna buy your flight ticket the day after;>

My bookclub picked this book, that I would never have otherwise given a second thought. I've never been to Iran, I know no Iranians, all I know is what your average person gets from the news and television. I didn't know what to expect, but having read the back cover, I knew that Alison was travelling through Iran with her western husband on their honeymoon. It doesn't take long to find out that this is just a ruse so that she can travel freely. I think she does a wonderful job of bringing to life many different kinds of characters in Iran, but I think she shows clearly how open-hearted, genuine and helpful the Iranian people are in general through portrait after portrait of individuals. Not only that but she introduces us to several western women who have adopted Iran as their homes, and happily.

But what really made this book enjoyable is Ms. Wearing's writing style. There are some truly beautiful sentences in this book. Lines that make you want to savor them. A unique perspective.

My bookclub picked this book, that I would never have otherwise given a second thought. I've never been to Iran, I know no Iranians, all I know is what your average person gets from the news and television. I didn't know what to expect, but having read the back cover, I knew that Alison was travelling through Iran with her western husband on their honeymoon. It doesn't take long to find out that this is just a ruse so that she can travel freely. I think she does a wonderful job of bringing to life many different kinds of characters in Iran, but I think she shows clearly how open-hearted, genuine and helpful the Iranian people are in general through portrait after portrait of individuals. Not only that but she introduces us to several western women who have adopted Iran as their homes, and happily.

But what really made this book enjoyable is Ms. Wearing's writing style. There are some truly beautiful sentences in this book. Lines that make you want to savor them. A unique perspective.

In almost 3 years of gathering, this was the first book our book club universally loved. Some loved it because it is a travelogue, some because of the suspense, some because of the humor, and others because it is an inside glimpse into another culture. I have purchased this book and recommended it to many people. It is a very enjoyable read.

This is a book written in the typical voice of a westerner who knows nothing about Iran except what they have heard in stories and on TV and what they have imagined Iran to be--based on what they know of the Arab world (which is completely different from anything Iranian.) She presents a very one-sided view of Iran, never mentioning how Iran has the highest level of literacy among Middle Eastern nations, not to mention the highest level of educated women, and never having lived through the Iranian revolution, she gives herself the right to call the former Shah a heartless king who didn't have to think twice about giving the order to open fire on demonstrators during the revolution. She seemed bent on presenting a "simpleton" image of Iranians who are just hungry for anything western. Had Miss Wearing taken the time to educate herself about the history of the revolution of Iran, not to mention the rich ancient history of Iran and it's people, maybe this book would have been a bit more interesting, and a bit less like she is just laughing at the people who have opened their homes and hearts to a complete stranger.

... however, as a required reading for a class I am currently enrolled in, I am extremely glad that my instructor chose Honeymoon in Purdah! Wearing promises and delivers beyond the expectations outlined on the back of the book/jackets.

Can't wait to read more about Wearing's travels around the globe!