UPCOMING BOOK SIGNINGS
AT BAY BOOK
THURSDAY, JULY 29 at 6:30 pm
“MARRIAGE ON THE STREET CORNERS
OF TEHRAN ”
By NADIA SHAHRAM
This insightful novel is the compelling and moving account of the struggles of an ambitious but innocent young woman caught in the practice of “temporary marriage” – a form of religiously and culturally sanctioned prostitution justified by a misinterpretation of the Quran. This practice goes back to sixth-century tribal Persia and is still alive in this modern age.
While traveling through Iran , the author heard hundreds of accounts from women who, in order to survive, fell prey to these temporary marriages. She narrates their stories through a composite fictional character: Ateesh, a beautiful, modern woman with high hopes and ambitions living in Iran . The story chronicles her life from the abusive arranged marriage she escapes at the age of twelve to the many contractual temporary marriages she engages in as she struggles for love, education, and most importantly, independence.
The author lives in Amherst where she teaches at the University of Buffalo Law School . She is a dynamic speaker with great passion for her work.
Ms. Shahram’s law practice focuses on matrimonial law.