Book description
A sensuous and richly-imagined historical novel that centers on a skilled young carpet weaver, her arranged marriage, and her quest for self-determination in 17th-century Persia.
In 17th-century Iran, a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. But when her beloved father dies, she and her mother find…
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Blood of Flowers as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I think the title pulled me toward this book. I knew it was about a carpetmaker in 17th-century Persia, and I guessed that the blood of flowers might refer to the dye used to color the wool for the rugs.
I found this way of describing dye to be extremely evocative. As it turns out, that was only the beginning of my fascination with this beautiful book. Following a young woman in the beautiful city of Isfahan, I had no idea that I would learn so much about the process of making carpets. I even found myself looking up ancient…
From Elizabeth's list on historical fiction that are not in Western Europe.
This is a historical novel that takes place in Isfahan during the 17th century, the height of that city’s artistic renaissance. Think: turquoise mosaics and sumptuous paisley textiles. The protagonist, a young girl whose fate changes when her father dies and leaves her without a dowry, is forced to work as a carpet weaver. Through hard work and study, she becomes a sought-after carpet designer at a time when Persian carpet design was at its pinnacle and an occupation relegated solely to men. There are some very well-crafted sex scenes, if you’re into that.
From Susanne's list on strong Iranian women.
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