Song of a Captive Bird

November 27, 2017
In this sumptuous debut novel, Darznik (The Good Daughter, a memoir) retells the fleeting life of a real-life Iranian feminist, poet, and director. In this imagining—told with the vulnerability and confidence of a memoir—Forugh Farrokhzad grows up in a Tehran where women and girls see little of the world beyond their own garden walls, but the glimpses are formative. Poetry is the thread that weaves through Forugh’s journey: the familial and romantic relationships that uplift and crush her; the darkest hours of isolation where she is made to forget her own work; the possibilities and promise, always just out of her reach. Excerpts of her verses, translated by Darznik, light the path from Forugh’s tragic first love to the birth of her son, a passionate affair, her first publication, and her determination to remain independent in a world so focused on control. Forugh’s crucibles are not so dissimilar from those of her country, balancing a rich history and faith with a desire to secure a place in modern spheres of influence. As Forugh finds her stride, so does Darznik’s telling; the direct but descriptive voice soars as its subject makes a life for herself. Darznik’s marvelous homage to Forugh captures the frustration and determination she must have felt to overcome the strictures of her environment, beautifully recreating her difficult path to fame.

Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad (1935-1967) is the real-life inspiration for this coming-of-age story. Mozhan Marno narrates the harrowing details of Forugh's strict childhood and forced, loveless marriage at a steady pace that softens the blows. Marno's sultry, throaty voice and narrative style bring across the persistence at the heart of this historic character. A lush sensuality infuses the entire listening experience, which has us cheering for Forugh when she finds love, however illicit. And we hang on every word as translations of the poet's work weave their way into the story. Fans of literary fiction will find much to admire in this excellent production. M.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

May 15, 2018

With her eloquent contralto, Mozhan Marnò exquisitely embodies the Persian poet and filmmaker Forugh Farrokhzad--her experiences as a young bride, maturation as a writer, hesitant then strident steps toward independence, and refusal to be silenced through the violent horrors of the autocratic Shah's reign. As the only daughter in a traditional family, the strict expectations of Forugh's gender nearly stifle her spirit. She escapes her stagnating marriage, even if it means losing her adored young son. She seeks freedom and inspiration in love affairs, survives personal betrayals and public vilification, and finds contentment and companionship with a wealthy friend. Denigrated and celebrated both, Forugh becomes a hopeful beacon for Persian women during the widespread tumult of 1950s and 1960s Iran. Tehran-born, U.S.-raised Darznik's (The Good Daughter) debut novel relies on "Forugh's own poetry, letters, films, and interviews as source material." VERDICT The result is spectacular testimony--further heightened by Marnò's vividly resonant narration--to a creative force whose searing voice has survived censorship, bans, and too-early death. ["Readers can't seem to get enough of fictional biography, and this first novel from...Darznik is a poignant, mesmerizing addition to the genre": LJ 12/17 starred review of the Ballantine hc.]--Terry Hong, Smithsonian BookDragon, Washington, DC

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