CHILDREN OF THE JACARANDA TREE

For a debut novel to be translated into 25 languages is a badge of honor. Sahar Delijani’s work deserves no less. This is a deeply felt story, much of it with autobiographical roots in the author’s familial experiences in post-revolutionary Iran. Mozhan Marno is an excellent choice as narrator of this story of struggle between individuals and the state. Her tone is subdued and warm, a deep alto that conveys the emotions that undergird the narrative. Marno brings the dramatic scenes to life in an intimate tone that draws the listener further into the story. Her moderate, controlled pace enhances the many dramatic moments, starting with the story’s very first scene of a woman in labor inside a prison. M.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2013]