BROWN ALBUM Essays on Exile and Identity

Porochista Khakpour narrates her own reflections on Iranian-American identity. She interweaves stories of her personal experiences, commentary on important historical moments, and long discussions of terms such as "Persian" and "Oriental." Khakpour is, by turns, steady, sardonic, and straightforward in her examination of her hyphenated background. As she looks back on the Iranian Revolution, listeners will appreciate her ability to flip between the sarcasm of the confused teenager she once was and the somber seriousness of the adult she is now. For many, this might be a first opportunity to understand the multitude of changes that have faced Iran, Iranians, and the diaspora since the late 1960s. Khakpour helps make some sense of it all in a consistent and measured delivery. M.R. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2020]