Modernity, Sexuality, and Ideology in Iran: The Life and Legacy of a Popular Female Artist

For more than a century Iran's social, political, and cultural history has been defined by a struggle toward or away from modernity. In this book Talatoff makes a compelling argument that, despite revolutionary upheaval, the ideals of modernity remain remote due to the absence of a modern notion of sexuality. He illustrates his assertion through the life of Shahrzad, a celebrated stage and screen actress, dancer, journalist, and published poet who eventually became imprisoned and later homeless in the streets of Tehran. Tracing her career along with other pre-revolutionary women artists, Talatoff explores the relationship between gender, sexuality, media, and modernity in Iran.

Author: Kamran Talattof
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 05/13/2011
Pages: 318
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.32lbs
Size: 9.36h x 6.36w x 1.06d
ISBN: 9780815632245

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2011

About the Author
Kamran Talattof is professor of Persian and Iranian studies at the University of Arizona. He is the author, coauthor, and coeditor of numerous books and articles. Among his publications are The Politics of Writing in Iran: A History of Modern Persian Literature and the coedited book The Poetry of Nizami Ganjavi: Knowledge, Love, and Rhetoric.