Anahita's Woven Riddle (review)

When teenaged Anahita, a seminomadic Afsharian carpet weaver living in nineteenth-century Iran, learns that her father wishes to arrange a marriage between her and the extremely undesirable Khan, she is overcome with rage and fear. Fortunately, Anahita shares with her father, the leader of their tribe, a love of riddles, and she somehow convinces him to host a contest in which prospective husbands must guess at a riddle that she has woven into her wedding carpet, or qali. Sayres' novel follows Anahita and her tribe over the course of the year, preparing to migrate in the spring, traveling with the tribe to its summer camp, returning to the village for the fall and winter. Anahita's tale is interwoven with the stories of Reza, a teacher, Arash, a prince, and Dariyoush, a fellow Afshar, all of whom wish to win Anahita's hand. While a historical novel dealing with a young girl avoiding an arranged marriage is hardly groundbreaking, Sayres' novel is beautifully written and rich in cultural descriptions and characterizations, making it a standout. Of particular note is the effectiveness with which Sayres draws the suitors; all three are extremely well-crafted, multidimensional characters who, like Anahita, long for something more out of life, and readers will likely find it difficult deciding whom to champion. The growing tension between traditional tribal customs and a modernizing nation are at the heart of Anahita's world, and this backdrop offers a perfect setting for her own rapidly changing existence. Offering history, romance, literature, and an element of mystery, this novel will appeal to a wide cross-section of readers. A glossary and author's note are included.