In the Time of Our History

By: Susanne Pari

Narrated by: Mozhan Marnò

Inspired by her own family's experiences following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Susanne Pari explores the entangled lives within an Iranian American family grappling with generational culture clashes, the roles imposed on women, and a tragic accident that forces them to reconcile their guilt or forfeit their already tenuous bonds. Set between San Francisco and New Jersey in the late-1990s, In the Time of Our History is a story about the universal longing to create a home in this world—and what happens when we let go of how we've always been told it should look.

Twelve months after her younger sister Anahita's death, Mitra Jahani reluctantly returns to her parents' home in suburban New Jersey to observe the Iranian custom of "The One Year." Ana is always in Mitra's heart, though they chose very different paths. While Ana, sweet and dutiful, bowed to their domineering father's demands and married, Mitra rebelled, and was banished.

Caught in the middle is their mother, Shireen, torn between her fierce love for her surviving daughter and her loyalty to her husband. Yet his callousness even amid shattering loss has compelled her to rethink her own decades of submission. And when Mitra is suddenly forced to confront hard truths about her sister's life, mother and daughter reach a new understanding—and forge an unexpected path forward.

©2023 Susanne Pari (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A beautifully written complicated family journey

Families and their stories are complicated. Susanne Pari richly unravels the history of Mitra’s family relationships and life’s journeys. The strong character development interwoven with Persian culture and customs enables the reader to make sense of the bold behaviors of each generation of this family. I only wish it didn’t end because I cannot wait to know what happens next!

A modern day Dickens

Wow. This is so good. Honest, deliciously layered and true. It reads like a modern day Dickens, centered around women, sisters and the immigrant experience. Stellar.

Wonderful

I loved learning about the Iranian culture while feeling many of the same familiar pulls in the main character. At one point, I found myself crying in the bathroom at work because I was so relieved. Listening to books while I design landscapes has consequences. LOL! This book was excellent.

Extremely fascinating glimpse into Iranian immigrant life

The author has written a fascinating account of immigrant Iranians in the nineties. She has included just enough history for the reader to immerse oneself and understand the limitations of the characters. I was disappointed with the ending as I didn't feel as though anything had been resolved. The narrator was excellent and really presented the story well.

Intriguing story beautifully told

Well written, deep story about Iranian immigrants in US. Learning you morning about their struggles, whilst connecting strongly with the characters.

Narration really complemented the story!

Beautifully written, compelling story

Susanne Pari delivers a powerful, human story of the conflict of cultures, both between and within families and individuals; and the myriad of strategies we all use to overcome, or even simply survive, them. Ms. Pari wrote so poignantly not only about the clash of cultures between the Persian and American ways of life, how the different generations, genders, and individuals experience and respond to these obstacles, but also about inner struggles, joys, hopes, loves — life — we all experience, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. There was such depth to the characters. I felt like I was there with them. I felt their pain and rejoiced in their victories. It is an uplifting book, while not glossing over the difficulties of life. And I learned a bit about a fascinating culture, and what it is to be a foreigner — and a first generation immigrant — in the US.

I admit I was disappointed by the somewhat monotone narrator. Others seemed to enjoy her. But, my experience of the narrator was that it wasn’t until about chapter 10 that she started to express differences in voices (mostly due to accents) and eventually in emotion. She improved as the book progressed, but I don’t think she did the beautiful writing the justice it deserves.

HOWEVER, the story was so engaging and alluring, that, even though I usually stop listening if I don’t like the narrator, I couldn’t. And by the end, I had fallen in love with many of the characters (or hated the odious ones — and yet couldn’t help but see their humanity, as well). I didn’t want the book to end. Ms. Pari, I want more, please.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this story. Appreciate learning about other cultures and customs. Was hoping for an ending of reconciliation between father and daughter but happy endings can sometimes be contentment with one's choices.

Loved it!

This book is quite pertinent to what’s happening in Iran today regarding the oppression of women. It’s beautifully
written and well narrated. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A lovely story and a superb performance

I will listen to anything read by Mozhan Monroe, but this story was so lovely and well done that I just didn’t want it to end.

Wow was this great!

This moving family saga is eloquently read by Mozhan Marno. It is a wonderfully written story delving into inter generational family conflicts and cultural clashes faced by the main character Mitra, as she navigates through a complicated and and compelling series of challenges and tragedies. It speaks to the power of women, the choices they face and situations they must endure as immigrants and first generation Americans. Couldn’t stop listening til the end!