Children of the Jacaranda Tree is a powerful and deeply moving narrative. The book follows a fictional extended family as they try to survive the years of political instability and revolution in modern-day Iran. Author Sahar Delijani actually bases the story off of her own family’s harrowing experiences. While Delijani provides little background information or facts about Iran’s troubles, she successfully emphasizes the physical and emotional toll theseevents took on its citizens.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Delijani’s words are beautiful and poetic. Breathtaking metaphors, rich symbolism and heartfelt scenes dot each page. As characters try to repair torn families and shattered dreams, I couldn’t help applauding Delijani’s work and feeling hopeful for the Iranian people. I recommend reading Children of the Jacaranda Tree, as it gives a voice to the thousands who suffered in silence.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Atria
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 4 religious exclamations, 1 mild obscenity
Violence/Gore: Several implied occurrences of violence, as well as second hand reports of attacks and executions; a scene of violence were police attack a woman who subsequently miscarries; in a non-detailed scene of violent death, a group of men are hanged.
Sex/Nudity: A few incidents of kissing; one clinical depiction of nudity; a few sexual references; several implied or reported accounts of sexual activity.
Mature Subject Matter:
War and revolution, murder, death of a family member, underage drinking
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Characters drink and smoke; underage drinking occurs in one brief scene
