The Golden Cage: Three Brothers, Three Choices, One Destiny

I have tremendous respect for Shirin Ebadi, having read her book Iran Awakening, and the modern peacemakers book Shirin Ebadi. This is a woman committed to Human Rights as well as love for her country. She shows in this book three different perspectives of the three brothers who were family friends for many years. For those of us who wonder how perspectives are shaped, and lives lived so differently in one family and all of the Moslem fait she sheds light on just that, while making clear her deep need for social justice in Iran. Dr. Ebadi is a key founder of the Nobel Woman's Imitative, a group of Nobel Prize winning women working together to raise awareness in creating nonviolent social change. I consider this book a must read for those interested in the struggle for human rights in Iran,or anywhere else.Meera C.

fantastic book on the divisions of beliefs within a family relating to today's conflicts, The Golden Cage is the story of three brothers, as told by their sister, who each subscrbes to a different ideology that tears Iran and their lives apart.I bought this book because it is on the United Methodist Women's Reading List for 2015 under the category education for mission,

I was very excited to order and read this book given Shirin Ebadi's status as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The story relates the family history of a close friend of Ms. Ebadi's and the tragic lives of the family's three brothers.Although the beginning of the book seemed disorganized and a little confusing, things settled down as I began to understand the main characters and their personalities. Although Ms. Ebadi is the narrator, the book is not really about her or her life. It is about her friend's family and three brothers, all of whom chose different political beliefs and associations.From this book I gained insight into the culture, traditions, religion, and politics of Iran from the 1900's until today. I gained additional respect for the people of Iran and the stresses and the hardships they live with daily. I applaud Ms. Ebadi for relating what must have been a difficult story. Even though the book itself may not directly change the status of people in Iran, she has done what the Iranian sociologist Ali Shariati suggested (on page 252 of Ebadi's book) and that is "if you can't eliminate injustice, at least tell everyone about it". Thank you, Ms. Ebadi, for telling us all about it.

Full disclosure: I am truly prideful of Shirin Ebadi and her courageous work, that has led to becoming a human rights noble leader and role model for our [now] broken country.My review is specifically in regards to this book.Cons:1- Lets be honest, first of all, the cover image is misleading. I really thought this book is about the three main mullahs (Beheshti, etc.) that were the key players in the islamic revolution and Khomieni's inner circle. Particularly because the cover image shows three mullahs standing before a large crowd, and introduction refers to "three brothers" which was interpreted as the Islamic brotherhood.2- The first half of the novel is a bit unclear and scattered. Some of my early questions were answered later after getting through the first 100pages.3- The story is quite bias. The political events and some characters are portrayed in a very specific bias way.I am quite disappointed that Shirin Ebadi didnt try to maintain a neutral position in regards to the political events and figures such as the Shah, or Khomeini, etc. especially considering that this is a 'novel', the story of how a family (one of millions) got destroyed throughout the country's internal turmoil. Her personal perspective and beliefs definitely set a different tone to the whole story and skew the reader's point of view.Pro:1- The book explains the regime's dark sides quite well. The horrific events, brutal mass murders, blind and heartless followers of the regime, anti women and human rights rules, extreme suppression and brainwashing systems, unstable political structure, etc. are all very nicely laid out and touched upon.2- The emotional and cultural moments of the story are quite strong.3- Overall, its raising awareness and drawing attention to the inhumane elements of the current regime, in a very blunt and subtle way at the same time. Which is great.I too, thank Shirin Ebadi and especially Pari and her family for sharing their story... It must have been difficult to live through those harsh and bitter memories again to develop this book.

It is a timely book to be reading. We are reading it for our UMW reading group.

Excellent!

I don't write reviews. But I had to comment on this book. I felt that I could not read this book and then not have my voice join Shirin's in protesting the oppression the people of Iran are under. I hope everyone who reads this book will comment and let others know that the story is being heard and hearts are being touched.Thanks, Shirin, for having the courage and taking the risk to share this story. Thanks, Pari, for allowing your family's story be told.

This book opened my understanding of Iran and its history. It was amazing that three brothers could be led in three opposing directions that led to power, imprisonment, and exile. As I read the book, I was thankful that I was born in the USA and have a deeper empathy for Iran. The book led me to learn more about Iran and Ms Ebadi. She has had a heart wrenching life that she underplays in telling the story of three brothers. However her purpose of letting the world know what has happened in Iran was definitely accomplished.