A Door Between Us

De: Ehsaneh Sadr

Narrado por: Vaneh Assadourian

Weddings always have their fair share of drama, but this one comes on the heels of the highly controversial 2009 Iranian election and ensuing Green Wave protests.

When the matriarch of Sarah’s family arranged her marriage to Ali, it was with the intention of uniting two compatible families. However, as the 2009 election becomes contentious, political differences emerge, and Sarah’s conservative family tries to call off the wedding. Sarah and Ali, however, have fallen in love and, against the wishes of their parents, insist on going through with the marriage.

Sarah’s cousin, Sadegh, is a staunch supporter of the government and a member of the Basij, the volunteer militia tasked with arresting protesters and shutting down speech against the regime. Meanwhile, Ali’s sister, Azar, is an activist, a divorce attorney, and a passionate Green Wave supporter, trying to enact change in a way that many Iranians see as inflammatory.

When Sarah impulsively shelters a protester in their car on the drive home from her wedding, she sets off a chain of events that can either unmask the government’s brutality or ruin them all.

Sarah, Sadegh, and Azar’s stories weave together in an unflinching, humorous, and at times terrifying story that demonstrates that, even as the world is falling apart around us, choices matter.

©2020 Blackstone Publishing (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

A fictional family navigating life in Iran in 2009

This book had more depth and character development than I had imagined. The character I imagined to be the protagonist did not develop as much as many other, more intriguing members of the family. I got a small bit insight into the workings of an Iranian family. Great read!

Great narrator!

Good story! There were a lot of characters to keep track of which made it a little confusing at times as an audiobook since you can’t go back and check who people are, but when I got the hang of it, it was a really captivating. I loved the narrator.

Captivating story of revolution and family

A Door Between Us is a compelling look at the struggles of duty to family, country, and self, infused with love and humor. A joy to read and reflect on well after. Can’t wait to read more from Ms. Sadr.