Editorial Reviews. About the Author. Having worked as a journalist for more than 20 years, Two Wings of a Nightingale: Persian soul, Islamic heart - On the Road in Iran Kindle Edition. by Jill Worrall (Author).
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With her Iranian friend and guide Reza, and Reza B their driver, they spend around a month in a circuit of Iran visiting some of the Significantly better than the authors previous book set in Pakistan A Blonde in the Bazaar , this one shows a lot more depth to the writing.
With her Iranian friend and guide Reza, and Reza B their driver, they spend around a month in a circuit of Iran visiting some of the caravanserai forming the many threads of the Silk Road or Silk Route. As Reza is a wealth of historical, religious, cultural and architectural knowledge, there is a depth of information added to the authors own observations.
As a woman traveller she benefits from visiting places male travellers are not allowed, and is welcomed into the households of the people they visit perhaps more, adding to the stories told. She misses out on little with her guide who does a pretty good job on chaperoning her out of trouble where required. Definitely worth a read - the cover alone was enough to inspire me to buy it - and there was enough familiarity with the two weeks I spent in Iran back in the mid 90's - a long time before this was written!
Apr 08, Gail Owen rated it liked it. Jill Worrall provides the reader with a tour of several of the caravanserai on the trade routes in Iran. As someone who knew little about the caranserai or the country of Iran, itself, I found the book to be a window into a culture and land of ancient history and modern realities. Worrall depicts a smorgasbord of experiences which enables the reader to explore history, architecture, cuisine, culture, and tea rooms throughout the region. Most importantly, she depicts individuals and places that e Jill Worrall provides the reader with a tour of several of the caravanserai on the trade routes in Iran.
Most importantly, she depicts individuals and places that encourage the reader to think beyond the normal depictions that they may encounter in the local media and to engage with a people and place as ancient as the Zoriastorians and as modern as the guide Reza Mirkhalaf, who has recently received his Master's from the University.
Worrall is able to provide insights in a fun and engaging manner. This creates an atmosphere in which the reader can learn about the culture and everyday life of Iran without politcal overtones. Nov 28, Erika rated it liked it. Made me add Iran to my future travel list!
Sometimes I found it got bogged down in simply recounting what they did where common in travel writing and something I try hard to avoid in my own travel diary - write about how you feel! At times it was a little too heavy on the descriptions for me and I would have enjoyed more stories of the places Worrall visited. All the stories involving Reza and Reza B Worralls two travel companions were wonderful and that human touch is what really brought Iran to life for me. Now, how do I get to see this magnificent country myself?
Mar 01, Linli rated it it was ok Shelves: I was looking forward to reading this because of the subject matter, but it underwhelmed in the end. I do think that it possibly would be more interesting to someone who has already been to Iran and is able to fill in the gaps in description with their own experiences. Jul 04, Skyring rated it really liked it. Jill's enthusiasm for Iran, its people, its culture and history is obvious. On almost every page her commentary resonated with me; I share her enthusiasm.
Before I went to Iran, most of my friends told me to be very careful. But a few said I'd love it.
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The latter were right. Iran is no more dangerous than any other place I've visited and safer than some. The biggest danger comes from traffic, which has its own very different rules. But find a local, stick close to them as the cross the street an Jill's enthusiasm for Iran, its people, its culture and history is obvious. But find a local, stick close to them as the cross the street and you'll be right. Jill's descriptions of some of the places I'd visited rang very true.
The apparent lack of blue in Tabriz's Blue Mosque, for example. But once inside, I was enthralled by the beauty. And rarely have I seen more powerful sculpture than in the basement of the nearby Azerbaijan Museum. Jill is on the right track when she recommends an age limit for admission! Like her mate Reza, I don't know what goes on in the women's side of the public baths. But her description of being the focus of attention - a blonde in a bathhouse - as she changed her clothing struck a chord. The blondes in my tour group were all popular with the locals.
Schoolgirls, in particular, would mob the women, snapping selfies and trying out their English.
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Jill's take on modern Iran is an excellent introduction to this beautiful land. Mar 11, Marcus Hobson rated it really liked it. Any work that calls itself a travel book should make you want to visit the region it describes, but this little book just makes me want to travel the caravan routes and visit every one of the ancient buildings that are described. I know that modern day Iran is probably a dangerous place to venture, but this book makes me long for the idea. Each night as the camel trains stopped for the evening they found refuge in an amazing building, some many centuries old.
Many survive today in a variety of sta Any work that calls itself a travel book should make you want to visit the region it describes, but this little book just makes me want to travel the caravan routes and visit every one of the ancient buildings that are described. Many survive today in a variety of states, from damaged ruin right the way through to luxury five star hotel.
Each makes use of almost hundred of rooms where camel owners, drivers and their animals would have fond shelter. Jill Worrall has woven a fascinating narrative around these sites. Now I just want to visit them. Nov 24, Carolyn rated it really liked it. This was a fascinating read.
I have long been interested in Iran and the authors descriptive prose made me feel like I was there. She provides a window to a world not often covered in Western society. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in Iran or travel off the beaten path. Read more Read less. About the Author Having worked as a journalist for more than 20 years, Jill Worrall decided in to become a freelance writer specialising in travel writing. Exisle Publishing August 15, Language: Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video.
Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. This brought back memories of our trip to Iran in Reza Mirkhaklf was our excellent, knowledgeable;guide. It is an interesting view from that part of the world. I enjoyed Jill Worrall's writing from a woman's perspective. One person found this helpful. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. I didn't get a feel for the characters and I wasn't all that rapt in the story.
Editorial Reviews
The writing was good and I'm sure others will get a more positive reaction that I did but I had hoped for better. Rich history and heritage and proud people of Iran is described in fluent language. One would love to embark on the same trip right away. Persian Soul, Islamic Heart.. Light and interesting book on the old Silk Road caravanseries, beautiful elegant mosques etc. I've been in awe of Persian architecture since travelling India in my youth.
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What is your perception of Iran? Worrall has a deep love for the middle-eastern countries of which we know so little. In Two Wings of a Nightingale, she and expert local guide, Reza Mirkhalaf, set out across Iran to follow the ancient route of the Silk Road, staying where possible in the old caravanserais which were used by the original travelers.
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The places they visit and people they meet along the away are brought to life. We learn of the people and culture of Iran, without political overtones. We share tales of customs and frustrations, find joy and delight in ordinary every day events. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly. It opened my eyes to daily life in this fascinating country. Forget all your preconceptions on Iran. There are no rabid revolutionaries in this book, nor any nuclear machinations. Two Wings is window on the lives of ordinary Iranians gleaned from a road trip of several thousand kilometres around this vast country.
The author was accompanied on her journey by her longtime friend, Reza. Together, they, a Western woman and an Iranian man, explore the soul of a much misunderstood country. It's a journey that reveals a friendly, peaceableand hospitable people more interested poetry than politics. This is an engaging and insightful book that is bound to challenge any prejudices. One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful. See all 7 reviews.