English
Dear Friends of Zahra’s Paradise,
It seems like it was just yesterday that this whole project began. And here we are, watching the book go out into the world, around the world! Thank you to the many of you who are blogging about and recommending Zahra’s Paradise to friends and loved ones. Already, some remarkable coverage surrounds the book’s launch—some of which you can read here.
We’re making a few adjustments to this website, and will soon have links up for ordering. But you can get your own copy of Zahra’s Paradise
With warmest wishes,
Mark
Have bought the book at India Comic-con in Delhi… I’m astounded by its sharp depiction of the political reality in current day Iran. It is as incisive as Marjane Satrapi’s “Parsepolis” or Joe Sacco’s “Palestine”, but also more ruthless and more heart-rending because of its contemporaneity and it’s inside-out view of the situation. I must say, it has extended the scope of the graphic novel genre to its fullest possible extent. It also shows how the power of internet (and, of course the power of art) can be used successfully by a handful of people to raise a subversive guerrilla warfare against the totalitarian powers across the world! Kudos and salaam to you…
Thank you, Souva, for the kind words. We’re hoping soon an Indian publisher may publish Zahra’s Paradise in Hindi, I think, which would be fantastic. Shaanti!
Hi, I am high school student. And i am making a project about this book.
I hope i can have more information about the author, and you, Khalil.
Thanks
Wes
Hi Wes,
What kind of information are you looking for? A quick Google search will probably answer some of your questions, since hundreds of articles and blogs have been written about Zahra’s Paradise, some of which are right here on our web site.
Enjoy!
Khalil
Hello,
I am honoured and happy to have read your story. It is deep, it moved me to tears and it triggers anger against established order, in Iran and elsewhere. I learned a lot about Iranian history and some parts reminded me of the movie “Une séparation” which is, like Zahra’s Paradise, to me, an important work of art. I hope this kind of work participate in changing the world’s point of view about Iran and will participate in triggering changes inside Iran. Iranian people diserve another political regime. I also wish Bassidji could read that and say what it inspires to them, so that you can come to a discussion with some of them, cause I think that building bridges between enemies is the only way out of this situation.
Reading the book, and because it is a field in which I am involved, I wondered why there was no mention of internet censorship and the question of keeping connection with website that are not allowed. Mehdi’s brother is a blogger but the influence of his blog, the discussions that come with it, the filtering of access to its content is never developped in the story. I just wonder why. Also, the book mentions Nokia, Siemens, Tadano and Norinco as international companies selling tools for the Iranian regime to monitor and fight its own people but there is no mention of Tor, Sabznameh or Psiphon as tools to access information in a secure way. I also wonder why as I think that this graphic novel can have a deep influence on educating people inside and outside Iran on how freedom of speech is now strongly linked to computer knowledge and electronic security.
I am sorry for this long comment. I think you did a wonderful job and I hope you can keep on informing the rest of the world on what happen in your beautifull country. We are with you, forever.
Thank you !
Hi there, Amir and Khalil. I was wondering if the book is available in digital format, since I’m quite concerned about paper saving. Of course, I would pay for it at the price you think its reasonable.
Greetings from Madrid.
Dear David, for now the books are only in paper. We understand your concerns, though, and thank you for asking.
Best,
Amazing book. I’m using Zahra’s Paradise for a month long book discussion in conjunction with Persepolis for the community youth that come to our Library. I hope to do some graphic drawing/writing workshops surrounding the concepts of activism and political dissidence as well. This book/blog/dialogue is a powerful tool for creating awareness here in rural small-town Michigan.
Wow! I found this on my local library’s shelf, and I think it is really great. I will spread the news about this eye-opening novel.
Thank you, Chichi. Word of mouth is key in Zahra’s Paradise’s success. Many thanks
I imagine all the people receiving their books in the very same way, excited and trembling a little, like a huge silent movement, a wave that has been started with the first placing of pen to paper and ended with this treasure that lies lightly on my door mat, yet heavily in my heart. To be a small part of that is a great honour and privilege – to share your work, to share the living stories that I can hold within my hands… ah, to express the ache inside is difficult…!
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Dear Amir and Khalil,
Thank you for your work in Zahra’s Paradise…and congratulations on the completion and success of this book! I received my very own copy in the mail today, and it was as fresh off the page as it was onscreen, when I first read it from the beginning. I will cry every time I read it.
I imagine all the people receiving their books in the very same way, excited and trembling a little, like a huge silent movement, a wave that has been started with the first placing of pen to paper and ended with this treasure that lies lightly on my door mat, yet heavily in my heart. To be a small part of that is a great honour and privilege – to share your work, to share the living stories that I can hold within my hands… ah, to express the ache inside is difficult…!
I hope many things for Zahra’s Paradise; I hope the wave grows and I hope that we will live to see change, no matter how small. I will be praying for you and the things represented in your stories, and highly recommend ZP to my friends.
Best wishes always, and go well.
Charmaine
Thank you for the kind words, Charmaine. Very much appreciated. It is friends and supporters like you that keep us going.
The pictures are amazing, the whole story fascinating, and hopefully there will be a large worldwide echo to this.
And of course I ordered the book, as soon as I realised that the story has come to an end.
Thank you, Amir and Khalil – Anuscha
Thank you, Anuscha, Caitlin, and all our well wishers. Zahra’s Paradise has been in a whirlwind of media around the world the past few days, and it is truly gratifying to see people everywhere expressing their solidarity, their brotherhood/sisterhood, their love! Thank you!
Dear Charmaine,
Thank you for your gracious and moving note. You are the wave you write about, and if our Iran, Mehdi, is to rise from his burial ground, it will be thanks to the light and love in your heart.
Kind regards,
Amir
Please be in contact via Email, Anna from Harvard and the Comic Project suggested this route.
Look forward to your contact.
Rupert
Congratulations, guys, I see that the book debuted at #5 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in the Hardcover Graphic Novel category. Here’s wishing you much future success as well.
-Dara
Salaaam, I found your work by chance yesterday at the public library, my eyes were stick to the name Zahra and i thought it would be something like Marjane Satrapi’s work. It is well done story i can’t wait to finish reading it and tell my family and friends about it. Thank you Khalil & Amir and good luck.
warm regards,
Fatemah Kareem
Thank you, Fatimeh, for helping spread the word.
Enjoy the book! Salam
Hi guys,
I finished yesterday your book in Italian. Thanks!!! I knew something about your country and the day’s protest but now I know more about your culture. Resist !! Thank you a lot again for your work. Regards Fabiana
Congratulations Amir and Khalil! For the past year or so, I have been reading, loving and singing the praises (proof: http://wp.me/p1oNYc-C) of Zahra’s Paradise! I can’t wait to see this on the shelves of my local bookstores and libraries. And, of course, my own bookshelf.
The world needs this. Thanks!
Thank you, Davin!
Thanks to all our friends and supporters out there, Zahra’s Paradise is now on the New York Times Best Sellers List! Keep up the great the work of spreading the word about ZP: It’s working! Congratulations to all of you who have been there from the beginning and made this success possible. We’re having an impact!
Khalil and Amir
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