-AUTHOR-
VAHID IMANI
Like the Wind I Go
A sweeping memoir about identity and independence, as a young man grapples with his burgeoning adulthood and an ancient empire faces its final hours of existence.
It’s 1978, and Iran is swept up in a revolutionary fever. Still in college, author Vahid Imani remains cautious, even as his friends and family celebrate a new vision for the country. The people demand democracy, but is that what awaits them?
Then, a mysterious tragedy. Vahid stumbles upon the corpse of his missing neighbor, hanging from the beams of his warehouse. He’s just one of many acquaintances to have recently died or disappeared, without explanation. For Vahid, the siren’s song of the West grows stronger, and he dreams of a life free from paranoia and limitation. The desire to escape his deteriorating homeland becomes an obsession, even as his family accuses him of forgetting his roots and his girlfriend questions if he will choose liberty, over love. But the shadow of oppression is swallowing Iran, and Vahid knows that his dream of starting anew in a foreign land grows fainter every day. Caught in the grip of culture, duty, and devotion, it seems there is no way out.
Placed in the Top Five in the Memoir category by Best Indie Book Award 2020.
Award-Winning Finalist in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category of the 2020 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.
A strong command of language enhances this riveting true account, creating a realistic sense of immediacy as though the described events have just happened. Delving into the book is a worthwhile endeavor for any history connoisseur seeking an individualized perspective opposed to a broad-based view of Iran.
The BookLife Prize
Turning a compassionate spotlight on a society too easily summarized in news headlines, Imani reveals the cultural pressures, familial expectations, religious devotion, and internal struggles of a country in existential turmoil. Like the Wind I Go is an insightful story of hope, perseverance, and personal freedom.
SPR
The character, scenery, and setting descriptions are in impressive details. Each character's attributes and unique behavior are distinguished. The author accurately outlines the Persian culture, including its people, politics, history, religion, and food. The book is professionally edited. The language is simple and has no cases of profaneness. It is an enjoyable read full of tension, suspense, and bits of humor. I recommend Like the Wind I Go to those interested in a historical read or altogether want to experience a compelling story.
Guda LM, Online Book Club
