The Temporary Bride

Reviews

"Danger and intrigue seem more the ingredients of a novel than a memoir; Klinec's book has both, though, and combined with the smells and tastes of Middle Eastern cooking, this is an addictive and romantic read."—Booklist "Klinec offers an insightful take on the status of Iranian women in a complex culture. She fills the pages with the tastes and scents of Iran. Most of all, Klinec illustrates that what we eat is about more than what we put into our mouths - it's a window into history and culture."—Chatelaine "Jennifer Klinec went to Iran looking for food and found forbidden love. She writes about both with equal eloquence and panache. An absorbing, page-turning tale of one strong woman's curiosity and daring that ventures behind Iran's closed doors."—Anya Von Bremzen, author of Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing "This is amour sans frontiers. An adventure in a globalised world. Love laughs at rigorously controlled borders."—The Times "Sophisticated and precocious...careful and vivid...[Jennifer Klinec's] story is far from what we expect to be reading, and all the better for it."—New York Times Book Review "A cross-cultural romance with a backdrop of Middle Eastern cuisine. Conveys the fear and excitement experienced by a couple trying to get to know each other in a strictly controlled society."—The Herald, Scotland "By turns unsentimental and tender, Klinec's book offers insight into the delicious world of Persian cuisine as well as the surprising twists and turns of the human heart. An unexpectedly moving memoir."—Kirkus Reviews "The flavours and rituals of Persian cooking, the family's rhythms and routines, life under an oppressive regime - all is acutely observed. Although no rose-tinted vision, it does shine a light on aspects of Iran we don't see in the news - the warm hospitality, the poetic wit in everyday language. A moving meditation on love across cultures and the evocative power of food. "—The Lady "The writing is vivid and sensual, the city of Yazd where she stays comes alive - the people, the streets, the scents, and her description of, among other things, a slaughterhouse is powerful. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a film."—Sydney Morning Herald "A moving memoir about love against the odds."—Good Housekeeping's "10 best books to read this October" "Easy-to-read, enjoyable and down to earth, THE TEMPORARY BRIDE: A memoir of love and food in Iran gives an inside look into the harsh laws of Iran and interlaces it with fantastic imagery of food, culture and love."—Glamour, South Africa "Her descriptions of food are remarkable. She has a wonderful eye for domestic detail. They develop an intimacy against the odds. A forbidden love affair. They pursue this relationship in this really oppressive environment. The atmosphere is brooding. There is a lot of tension. I was really worried for them but there is a twist at the end. I think you'll have a very happy time reading this book."—Radio New Zealand, Nine to Noon Book Review "The way the society functions comes across beautifully.. The book delves into the complexities of a non-Western society and how someone who doesn't belong strives for acceptance. If you love food and the memories built around it, this book is for you."—Earthen Lamp Journal "The descriptions of food, aromas and places are exquisite. The characters are immensely real - flaws and imperfections intermingle with raw emotion and at times the irrational behaviour that surrounds new love. This is a memoir written with passion and honesty.
I was left feeling as if it was a novel and I was waiting for the sequel to be written and released. I eagerly wanted to hear what happens next to these two interesting main characters."—New Zealand Booklovers "THE TEMPORARY BRIDE is a beautifully written window into a world few of us have ever entered: contemporary Iran in all its complexity.
Its sprawling cities and street-side eateries come to life, but most vivid is the portrait of ordinary Iranians: cooking, sharing, living, in a world where Westerners are unwelcome. A book for travellers - of the world and the senses."—The Irish Examiner Expand reviews