Prisoner of Tehran / Marina Nemat / 306 pages

     I did not think that I could read one more book about bad things happening to women in Iran, but I was wrong.  This is a very compelling book and worth reading since there are many levels to think about in this true story.
     Marina was taken to Evin prison when she was 16 years old during the reign of the Ayatollah khomeini and was there for close to two years.  Her crime?  Attending rallies, speaking out at school, writing, reading Western books.  
     I was able to read this only because the torture described in the book wasn't the most extreme forms.  However, I could only read this book in the daytime and play "Candy Crush" before bed to do  it. 
     She marries her interrogator.  What!  Yes.  There in lies the great book discussion materials.  What is wrong? What is right?  Is Ali evil or a savior?  How does she cope with her circumstances?  Is she betraying anyone herself?  What would you do in her place?  Is this still going on in Iran?  (Clearly, yes to that one) There are discussion questions at the end of the book.  She lives in Canada and was unable to even write or talk about her experiences for fifteen years.  She is a survivor.  There are many more; not just in Iran.  Multiply the injustice to women and political prisoners all over the world.  I don't know what can be ultimately done.  I want to "not see" it just like everyone else.  However, she is a witness.
      This would make a good book discussion especially for teens.  They could be reading something real and compelling instead of the "Hunger Games"  They will ultimately be the ones to deal with the world.  What kind of world do they want?