I feel that literature is life-changing because it allows us to escape from reality, at least momentarily and/or superficially.  A well-written book has the power to completely monopolize a reader's attention--the reader is so engrossed in that book that he or she is unwilling to tear him- or herself away to read another book.  When I have just finished reading a particularly good book, I am reluctant to even start a new one because I feel like it will make me forget about the wonderful book I have just read.  I am usually most drawn to literature that brings me to another place or time or situation, and if a book like this is written well enough, then it alters my views on the world in some way.

After reading this book, I get the sneaking suspicion that people not familiar with the Middle East, like E. Fioccoprile rightly pointed out, might become disenchanted with the region in general and perpetuate the stereotypes of female oppression in the Middle East. I recently attended a conference in the United Arab Emirates and I, like others, was not educated about the actual situation in the majority of the Middle East. While I was there, stereotypes were shattered left and right. In Dubai where I stayed (which is admittedly liberal) there was an pervasive Muslim influence but in no way were women oppressed or denied opportunities and were fully protected under law, whether they were Muslim or not. Also attending the conference were women from Jordan, Afghanistan,  Palistine among others.  The general consensus was that women are granted the same opportunities, protected like American women, and are definately not oppressed in the majority of Middle Eastern countries. I hope that after reading Nisifi's memoir, readers will not come away with a negative stereotype of the Middle East as a whole. Just remember that Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan are not the only countries in the Middle East and their oppressive actions appal the majority of the Muslim population. Take into consideration that oppression tends to be newsworthy while women dancing and maintaining respectable jobs in Oman is not.

"Reading Lolita in Tehran has profoundly awakened my sense of compassion for women living oppressed lives in foreign nations.  Before I read this book, veiling and other strict laws that inhibited women's rights in the Middle East always seemed unfair, but they were impersonal and I could not say that I knew much about women's situations in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries."

Compassion for Nisifi's students and family is definately warranted, but  use caution when extending this sympathy to the rest of the Middle East.  Dont let the appaling actions of Iran allow a stereotype to be formed of the Middle East or Islam.

Really great point.