The Blood of Flowers Paperback – May 1, 2008

Middle Eastern historical fiction is still pretty rare in English, which makes it unusual and especially interesting. Its really too bad because there are so many great stories that originated in the Middle East-like the Arabian Nights. I have yet to find a novelized version of the story of Sheherazade in English. But this book came close in a way."The Blood of Flowers" is the story of an Iranian girl n the 17th century who has always loved making carpets. She is dismayed when the comet passing in the night skies is read as an unfortunate sign for important events in the coming year, but it reassured by her loving father and mother. But when her father dies she and her mother are forced to move from their mountain village to the great city of Isfahan to live with her uncle-a wealthy royal carpet maker.Though she makes the very most of having a great carpet maker nearby to teach her, our heroine (who is never named) has somewhat of a rash personality and her actions only make her aunt resent her and her mothers presence more and more-even though they both work like slaves. So when an offer of marriage comes-from a very wealthy man-mother and daughter don't have the finical resources to truly resist.But it isn't a normal marriage. It's a temporary marriage, contracted to last only three months. The girl would much rather marry someone who wants her enough to marry her forever but her financial situation means she has no choice. The upside is instead of paying a dowry, the girl will be paid, allowing her to pay off debts incurred to her aunt and uncle. To keep the money coming though (and perhaps a more permanent arrangement, or a house) the girl must do everything she can to please her temporary husband.For reasons she doesn't understand the girl is also to keep the arrangement a secret. But when circumstances change in a way that brings her secret too close to home, our heroine is forced to learn to be an adult, make her own decisions and use the skills of her mind and hands, and the blood of the flowers, to make her future.This novel is styled so that every chapter is told in first person by the girl and finishes with a Middle Eastern fable, or one in the style that the author made up. Each of the eight tales (one for the prolog, one each for the seven chapters) helps advance the story through the messages of love and forgiveness, cleverness, forbearance and longing. The whole effect is a weaving together of words and ideas to make a wonderful, full and very colorful story.The concept of the temporary marriage-and Iranian tradition that still exists today is also fascinating. In one way it is abhorrent-a kind of legalized prostitution that ends with a girl no longer possessing her virginity and having limited options for her future, and in another way it allows people who love each other to be together, even if they aren't free to marry formally. I'd never heard of anything like it before and was a little stunned that it exists, especially in a society that bases so much on women's purity.Overall this is an excellent novel. It is constructed with a kind of care I have rarely seen-making each and every word and action fit with the others. The plot is fascinating, the historical detail amazing and the characters very whole.Five stars.

This is my second novel about Iran , the first was (Samarkand) , both are historical , but while (Samarkand ) took political & ideological path , this one dealt with one of the Persian art formats and the cultural and social conditions that surrounded its uniqueness and perfection .and in the same time with a feminine feelings and sprit ..In few words : (the blood of flowers) is the complicated and passionate journey of a fiery ... talented female carpet designer towards maturity and professionalism . When I talk about it ; I need three different axes :- The rug craft :The details caught by artistic bright eyes; that became mine ! the verbal camera that caught nature beauty and urban distinguish , the concepts .. life's hardness transformations into touchable and live pieces of art , all of this were amazingly handled . true you will never look at a Persian carpet with the same eyes after reading this book !- The heroine's life :it presented a full detailed of the social and cultural Iranian life in the seventieth century , specially the Shia's traditions and ceremonies , focusing mainly on females' position . it was my first time to read in details about (Sigheh) or what we know in Arabic as (pleasure marriage and it is forbidden for sunni so I do not know much about), this marriage is nothing but a sexual relationship, where a woman is a trapped in weird position among : wife ..mistress and prostitute ! trying to hold on to a man that she will never really possess and a dignity that she may never restore ! this part was portrayed in a very touching way , even the direct graphical sexual descriptions (which were more than what I expected) functioned with the nature of the heroine's miserable situation . and through this axis it is the author's target discussing feminism ..freedom and independency , the concept here was very strong presented and may be that what made the ending - somehow- left open.- the folk or fairy tales :Each chapter ended with a one , trying to tie the characters' lives & destines to heritage and Persian historical magical context , some were regionally rooted like (Haroot and Maroot) , some historically like (Laila's mad) , and some legendry , they fit in some parts and did not in others , but in general it was a clever enhancing method for the environment the author tried to materialize ..A final quote that presented the title (by the heroine) :(I thought about all the labor and suffering that were hidden beneath a carpet , starting with the materials . vast fields of flowers had to be murdered for their dye , innocent worms boiled alive for their silk - and what about the knitters ? must we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of rugs ?)This novel is from the kind that I could not put down until finishing it ...

Loved this book the best couldn't put it dawn well written

loved it and will always look with great respect at handcrafted carpets.

The world of carpet weaving brought alive with a wonderful description of the art and a deserving ode to the many many anonymous artisans around the world

Anita Amirrezvani's, "The Blood of Flowers" is a magnificent story.Her beautiful storytelling enables her reader to walk with the vivid characters, feeling and seeing their experiences, hearing their surroundings and sharing both their challenges and victories.I felt as though I had woken from living within these pages.

Wonderful novel. I was transported to 17th century Iran. Beautifully written and great story. I highly recommend it. Can't wait for her next novel! (I hope it's more historical fiction!)