The Blood of Flowers

The Blood of Flowers

Anita Amirrezvani’s charming fictional debut provides a beautiful insight into the rich cultural world of seventeenth century Iran through the eyes of its young, nameless female narrator. In dedication to the ‘anonymous artisans of Iran’, Amirrezvani weaves eloquence and charisma to authentically describe the vast differences between the wealthy and the poor, the male and female and most significantly the differences between those prepared to settle and those never willing to give up their dreams.

The novel surrounds the plight of a young village girl forced to move to the city of Isfahan after the death of her father. Unable to support herself with no dowry or hope for a respectable marriage, the helpless mother and daughter must live in servitude to repay their distant relatives for the kindness they show in allowing them a home in their wealthy quarters.

Amirrezvani beautifully exploits the artistic culture of Iran in her focus on the art of rug making, and the young girl’s unprecedented talent for it. The rich Persian heritage and culture is effectively depicted through the colours and design of the rugs of the famously striking city of Isfahan, ‘Every surface of every building glittered with ornament. It was as if a master goldsmith had selected the most flawless turquoise, the rarest of blue sapphires, and the purest of diamonds and arranged then into an infinity of shimmering patterns that radiated colour and light.’ (p. 39) The reader will truly appreciate Amirrezvani’s exquisite use of language that pays homage to her personal insight as an Iranian born writer.

Yet Amirrezvani does not sway from the realities of life for the young girl, forced to ‘sell’ herself to a wealthy older man for the sake of security, the girl encounters a different side to the picturesque city. From severe illness to corruption and religious hypocrisy; Amirrezvani still maintains a beacon of hope for the girl’s dreams of love, honourable marriage and independence through her writing. Through her inclusion of traditional stories, the author focuses on the extensive history of oral tradition in Iran and further signifies the theme of weaving or inter-layering within the novel. The reader will be completely transfixed by the power of Amirrezvani’s writing, and will find themselves yearning for the traditional endings familiar from The Tales from a Thousand and One Nights.

The charm of the novel closely relates to the author allowing the reader to see another perspective of life in Iran. With no mention of contemporary political issues associated with the region, Amirrezvani’s credible portrayal of the country stems from a patriotism that many readers will relate to. The author enables the reader to identify with the heroine through the successful depiction of the girl’s strength in the face of her troubles. We are able to travel alongside Amirrezvani in her journey back to seventeenth century Iran, and truly admire the rich diversity of life and history as depicted through the majestic art of the region: An enchanting read.

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