A compelling and intimate exploration of the complexity of a bicultural immigrant experience; To See and See Again traces three generations of an Iranian (and Iranian-American) family undergoing a century of change--from the author's grandfather; a feudal lord with two wives; to her father; a freespirited architect who marries an American pop singer; to Bahrampour herself; who grows up balanced precariously between two cultures and comes of age watching them clash on the nightly news.
#141185 in Books 1998-07-06 1998-07-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .94 x 5.83l; 1.16 #File Name: 0520210751350 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A NECESSARY READ FOR MORAL POLITICSBy M. KennedyEveryone who works politically only to ban abortion by law because of the laudable moral intent of viewing all life as sacred should read this book.The Ceaucescu government of Romania; because of Catholicism; banned abortion completely.I guess the dictator went to bed with a clear conscience every night; which probably was enough for him.The results - those orphanage filled with toddlers untouched; untaught; and unnurtured; standing in cribs with their arms out every time a non-profit person trying to help entered the room; young women with ruined reproductive systems because in desperation they sought to end a pregnancy but found none but butchers to end their situation; which might have included being killed by their families for honor (they will never be mothers when they want to be; as a result) - and a culture in which everyone lied about everything out of fear and need to cover-up the most private shame - were morally disastrous.Abortion is not the only drama. Saving the planet and caring for one another; even to the point of sacrificing some of our own "pure" conscience; and comfortable lifestyles; is what true morality requires of us if we dare respond with love. This book was brought to my attention by my son who read it as an undergraduate at Brown University. It's a bit of a slog. But a necessary one. The "abortion wars" in the US have bee manipulated by a cruel oligarchy who thinks nothing of letting living people die if they can't afford health care; or of turning our children into cannon fodder for wars by which they; not people here or abroad; profit.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An excellent purchaseBy B. StarAlthough the history that Kligman is writing about is horrific; this is an excellent resource for those involved in the global struggle for women's reproductive justice. This is the best book I have found that explains the shocking unintended consequences when a government bans all contraception and forces women to become baby factories. The resulting appalling conditions for the citizenry and the social fabric of a nation are well described and should be a lesson to natalists around the world who interfere with women's' intimate decisions. Buy this book; read it and share it.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Personal StoriesBy Roger CrowleyThis book speaks of the heartaches of scores of women due to a misguided 1966 Decree that was meant to create a new generation of socialists by removing birth control from the options available to the people. Although this is a book about women and their special struggles; as a man I found it interesting. My wife is Romanian and can corroborate many of the stories of these women to be true (or at least reasonable). But I'm also grateful that Gail Kligman didn't dwell on the sensationalism that the popular Western press loved to print following the Decree. In fact; she denies much of the fanciful stuff written to sell newspapers. There weren't masses of perverted bosses standing there watching gynecological exams. But the author does stress the heart-wrenching; personal stories of women who were forced to deal with this foolish Decree 770; many times to the detriment of their health or life.
