To See and See Again: A Life in Iran and America

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Summary: Waiting for the sequel
Review: I enjoyed Tara's story very much, and I hope to see more books from this talented writer, especially some sort of sequel. I know some characters or family members may not be completely factual, but I would love to hear more about how all the family in Iran and the USA are doing these days, and if her parents ever returned to Iran for a visit.

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Summary: I'm glad I read this book!
Review: It gave me a great insight and appreciation of Iranian culture. I am Irish but I could empathize with the autor's bi-cultural problems. Also, the descriptions of her older relatives - their superstition, fear of strangers, love of the land, reminded me of some of my family. I would have liked a glossary of Iranian terms and also a genealogical tree to keep those relatives straight!

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Summary: An Amazing Portrayal Of Living Between Two Cultures!
Review: To See And See Again did a great job of expressing the Persian culture. I had a hard time setting it down. Each page I read helped me to understand a little more about me and my family. I highly recommend it to anyone who is Persian and has been raised in America. Or anyone who wants to know more about the culture.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you
Review: The grace and courage with which Tara wrote her story deserves praise from all of us whose stories only exist in our heads. Having had a similar upbringing, (we even shared the same vet!) it was invaluable to read some of the details. They took me back twenty years to places I had completely forgotten. Thank you, Tara, for recording this bit of history which relates to a small group of us who shared such a wonderful childhood.

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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: Tara Bahrampour captures the Iranian culture; and what it is like to be part of it, and part of American culture at the same time. However, I am a voracious reader and this is one of the top ten books I have read as an adult. She is an amaziing writer. It is a page-turner! I rave about this book to all my friends, and I give it my highest recommendation.

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Summary: Beautifully written memoir of growing up between 2 cultures
Review: Growing up between Iran and America myself, I was immediately captivated by this book. The author's accounts of her experiences are lucid, honest, and contain an underlying sensitivity that filled me with warmth and nostalgia. The beauty of the book is that it is a life story simply told, sometimes humorous, sometimes painful, but always filled with vibrance and passion. I believe that the best books are not necessarily those that interpret all of life's events, but rather those that allow the reader to delve into these issues on his/her own and in the process look at his/her own memories in a new light and with a renewed appreciation. Tara Bahrampour's memoir is such a book.

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Summary: Poignant Narrative
Review: Ms. Bahrampour has given us a poignant narrative of her cross-cultural experience. This reminds me of the significant service performed by thousands of American Peace Corps volunteers in Iran, 62-76, who served in places like Khoy and Zabol; Firuzkuh and Firuzabad, Aliabad and Birjand. Further, the American Peace Corps program in Afghanistan, 62-79, should be remembered!

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: Having grown up in two countries myself (Hungary-USA), this book caught my interest right away. Bahrampour presents a well-balanced account of the two countries she grew up in. Her descriptions of Iran would be captivating to anyone who is curious about other cultures. I understood her love for both countries and related to the often asked, impossible question of "which one is best" by those outside of this experience. I recommend it for anyone, but especially for those who are bi-cultural.

Rating:
Summary: It was ok
Review: I wasn't really that impressed with the book. It was pretty descriptive which some people might find annoying but as I read the book in one sitting it just made it more colorfull for me. Through the book I was expecting her to interpert some of the events in her life but all she did was describe them. When she is embarassed by her dad or when she is teased by other students in her school I was expecting her to draw something from it, give a conclusion. At the end the book echos her mother's sentiment when ask "which is better Iran or the US ?" Tara's book simply says both without bothering to look any deeper.

Rating:
Summary: Great story, not enough in-depth translations
Review: I liked the book cause it brought back a lot of memories for me personally. However, her translations of Iranian culture was not explained well enough for non-Iranians to understand people's behaviour and their life styles in that country. I think bi-cultural readers might enjoy this book more than others.