Song of a Captive Bird

Wow was this book very emotional. The struggles of a rebellious woman with an intelligent mind in an environment that considers a woman to be nothing more than the property of her husband is very humbling to read. Forugh is never satisfied in conforming to the norms and does everything she can to give life to the words constantly forming in her mind. Though I was surprised to know that some of the most compelling relationships in the book are actually fictionalized, the author used them as a backdrop to throw light on the student protests and the clash between the old guard and the changing minds of the younger generation. I absolutely loved that some of the translated poems of Forugh were included throughout the book because it gave a unique insight into her mind and makes me want to read more of her works. It's always fascinating and also emotional to read about such an amazing woman who only lived for 32 years but left an indelible mark on a culture which remains even decades after her death.