The Space Between Us

Love, family and religion clash in the unforgettable novel from the internationally acclaimed author of Things We Left Unsaid, set in contemporary Iran In a small town on the edge of the Caspian Sea, Edmond Lazarian and his best friend Tahereh pass their days playing together, drifting between the delights of beachcombing and the joys of the sherbet shop. Although Edmond is Armenian and Tahereh is the Muslim daughter of the school's janitor, they remain blissfully unaware of the disquiet that ripples the calm surface of their close-knit community. But years later, when Edmond's daughter chooses to marry a Muslim, tension begins to build. Unable to continue ignoring the prejudices around him, Edmond is finally forced to make a choice, one that will haunt him for years to come. For fans of Anne Tyler, The Space Between Us is a poignant, wistful story about belonging and otherness, pride and prejudice, and the pressures and family expectations that inform our decisions. In a small town on the edge of the Caspian Sea, Edmond Lazarian and his best friend Tahereh pass their days playing together, drifting between the delights of beachcombing and the joys of the sherbet shop. Although Edmond is Armenian and Tahereh is the Muslim daughter of the schools janitor, they remain blissfully unaware of the disquiet that ripples the surface calm of their close-knit community. Yet years later, when Edmonds daughter chooses a Muslim to marry, tensions inevitably build. Unable to keep sidestepping the prejudices around him, Edmond is finally forced to make a choice, and one that will haunt him for years to come. From the critically acclaimed author of Things We Left Unsaid, ' The Space Between Us ' is a poignant, wistful story about belonging and otherness, pride and prejudice, and the pressures and family expectations that inform our decisions. Brilliantly painting the landscape of intricate social conventions and private emotional conflict, Pirzad has produced an intimate portrait of ordinary Iranians living everyday lives. Cementing her reputation as one of the most brilliant interpreters of the Iranian soul, novelist Zoya Pirzad offers a heartbreaking and tender story of a family haunted by separations. Edmond lives a quiet, respectable life, a stalwart of his Christian Armenian community. But when his daughter falls in love with a Muslim man, the scandal spreads like wildfire and Edmond is forced to choose between family and the expectations and prejudices of others. He makes his choice, but only time will reveal the true cost. Evoking Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy with its tapestry of hidden intimacies and social pressures, The Space Between Us weaves a poignant tale of human fallibility and grace In A Small Town On The Edge Of The Caspian Sea, Edmond Lazarian And His Best Friend Tahereh Pass Their Days Playing Together, Drifting Between The Delights Of Beachcombing And The Joys Of The Sherbet Shop. Although Edmond Is Armenian And Tahereh Is The Muslim Daughter Of The School's Janitor, They Remain Blissfully Unaware Of The Disquiet That Ripples The Surface Calm Of Their Close-knit Community. Yet Years Later, When Edmond's Daughter Chooses A Muslim To Marry, Tensions Inevitably Build.--publisher's Web Site. Sour Cherry Stones -- Seashells -- White Violets. Zoya Pirzad ; Translated By Amy Motlagh. Translated From The Persian.