The opening chapters of this compelling book, describing the callous
treatment of a political prisoner, can rival any scene in any dystopian science
fiction novel. But this is not a book about a cruel future. The political
prisoner in this book is a woman in post-revolutionary Iran, a woman who is
about to give birth. In 1980’s Iran, many young men and women who disagreed
with the Islamic Republic were swept off the streets and out of their homes and
into prisons. Young children were left behind and had to be cared for by
extended family. In one such family,
these children became the CHILDREN OF THE JACARANDA TREE, referring to a
tree in their grandparent’s garden. While the grandparents and aunt struggled
to care for them, imprisoned parents turned their thoughts to their children to
comfort them through their most difficult times which included poor living
conditions, isolation, torture and execution. Life outside of prison was also
not easy. The theocratic government interfered in every aspect of private life,
imposing dress codes, rationing and curfews. An eight year war with Iraq
brought fear of bombing raids and the death of many young men. Sahar Delijani, who was herself born while her
mother was in prison, follows this extended family for nearly thirty
years. When, in 2009, political strife
in Iran leads to protests in the streets and results in beatings and arrests
and killing of young men and women, history appears to be repeating itself. The
children of the Jacaranda tree and their own children are drawn into the same
fight their parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles fought.
