Even After All This Time by Afschineh Latifi

A Story of Love, Revolution, and Leaving Iran

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though, as my husband pointed out, the writing was not top-notch.  There is something about a true story that captivates me, particularly when I can learn about another culture.  The author tells of her early childhood in Iran, the revolution and death of her father, her mother’s struggles to get her children out of the country, and their new lives in America.  I found the first half when she was in Iran the most interesting.  The account of her father’s arrest and execution was heartbreaking.  It is quite telling how well Afschineh and her sister did in the American educational system, despite having no parental or adult help (they came alone to the U.S. – the mother did not make it til years later), and no money, and no English skills.  They attended a Norfolk public high school (a poor system), and yet graduated well, went to local colleges, and on to become a lawyer and a doctor.  So if these two kids could succeed, with such disadvantages, why can’t so many of our own American youth?