TO KEEP THE SUN ALIVE

Rabeah Ghaffari narrates her poetic historical novel set against the backdrop of an impending Iranian Revolution. Throughout the winding story she gives its multigenerational characters sombre, steady voices. In doing so, she underscores the many changes that hung in the balance of this political watershed. Bibi, and her husband, a judge, watch over their extended family and worry about their aspirations, all the while farming fruit in the family's orchard. Ghaffari presents both male and female characters well; she makes the rise of religious extremists credible in deep-voiced lines that contrast with the measured tones used to evoke the judge. This is a lush listening experience that fans of literary fiction will sink into as Ghaffari humanizes history. M.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]