Review: A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr

About the Book:

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 Baseej, the volunteer militia tasked with arresting protestors 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 protestor 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, life goes on.

https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-door-between-us-by-ehsaneh-sadr

Guest Reviewer Sara’s Thoughts:

A thoroughly great read! The many integral characters are developed quickly, but their relationships are revealed like the windows of an advent calendar, with a surprise every chapter.

A more light hearted love story akin to Romeo and Juliet’s feuding families, but still full of cultural intrigue and fraught with dark perils of political dissidence in modern Iran. A glimpse into the devotion to faith that is always challenged in contemporary times adds to the mix. The characters are recognizable and relatable in their personalities across all cultures.

About the Author: Ehsaneh Sadr is an Iranian American novelist with a PhD in international relations. She has worked on campaigns related to biking advocacy, human rights, access to credit for rural villagers, and safe spaces for children in crisis. She resides in Northern California with her husband and two children, and considers Tehran to be home.