"A haunting portrayal of grief and the poverty"

• Publisher: ‎ Seyedeh Fashandi (June 1, 2022)
• Language: ‎ English
• Paperback: ‎ 294 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎ 1737581469
• ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1737581468
• Genre:  Arab & Middle Eastern Biographies

The BookViral Review:

In this beautifully written and insightful personal account, Sara Fashandi leads us through the childhood and the coming of age of her older brother, Mohsen.

Chapter by chapter, we follow Mohsen as he grows up in Tehran, with all the trials and challenges of living in a poor neighbourhood where riches amount to a full belly and a family’s love. Fashandi’ s family members and neighbours spring to life under her narrative, as does the setting, all under the watchful eyes of her story’s protagonist, as his relationship with both joyful and tragic events take centre stage in her writing. Her attention to detail is faultless as her clear sequence of events takes us chronologically through Mohsen’s tender years.

With just the right amount of tension, ‘Message in a Matchbox’ is not introspective, but rather draws the reader within its circle, with just the right balance of tension, excitement and cultural interest. Despite this being the memoir set in a place alien to many, Fashandi’s sensory descriptions create a world in which her reader can move, with her consistently dramatic and entertaining story arc maintaining a lively and stimulating pace.

She forces us to think about the reality of existence for those who must work tirelessly for every small success, and we cannot fail to admire the tenacity of Mohsen as he battles on resourcefully through many challenges. This honest account exposes the vulnerabilities of Mohsen, his family, and peripheral characters, conveying relatable and relevant emotions in the portrayal of the innermost feelings of Mohsen, creating authenticity and intimacy with the reader.

Through her all-encompassing macro-narrative, Fashandi’s haunting portrayal of grief and the poverty-stricken community evokes such emotion that makes it hard to forget this book long after its conclusion. It is unreservedly recommended.