top of page
Half The World
In Half the World, a young American couple's marriage is jeopardized by secrets during the Iranian Revolution.
Doug and Angela Weston arrive in Esfahan, Iran, in 1977. They plan to spend an easy two years there while Doug saves his salary as a consultant to start his own architecture firm back in the States. The Westons have no idea that Iran is on the brink of a revolution. And they certainly could not predict that both their marriage and their lives would be in danger.
Read Excerpt
Praise for Half The World
Anchor - Praise
Independent Book Review chose Half the World as one of the best books they reviewed in 2024.
"An enchanting historical novel set in a deeply suspicious society ripe for rebellion.
In 1977, newlyweds Angela and Doug Weston arrive in Iran for an opportunity to build a nest egg and enjoy the beauty of Persian culture, but they are not prepared for awaits them in Half the World.
This is an authentic story, lushly told, perhaps because Shahrak experienced the Iranian Revolution firsthand. Her depictions of pre-Revolution Iran with its walled gardens, majestic mosques, and the squalid living conditions of the have-nots of Esfahani society are well-drawn and compelling, painting a portrait of an oppressed society on the cusp of overthrowing the shackles of one regime, only to choose the shackles of another.
What makes Half the World so enchanting is not only Shahrak’s fertile prose and convincing characters, but her obvious love of Persian society and culture that blooms on every page, leaving a whiff of bittersweet nostalgia for a world that no longer exists."
- Independent Book Review
“In Half the World, Leissa Shahrak has crafted a novel that, for the first time, portrays the Iranian revolution on a personal level. Her fast-paced story features well-drawn characters torn with indecision--should they stay, or should they go--at a time when trust and friendship are challenged in the struggle to survive.”
– Lawrence G. Potter, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.
Read HERE - 5-Star Readers' Favorite Review
"Set in pre-revolution Iran, this mesmerizing tale masterfully captures the complexities of a volatile era and the heartbreaking consequences of good intentions gone awry. Told through the perspectives of compassionate American teacher Angela Weston, her war-scarred husband, and a resilient young Iranian man, it weaves a rich tapestry of human struggle and resilience." - Lya Badgley, author of The Worth of a Ruby and The Foreigner’s Confession"Using elegant language and touching wistfulness, Shahrak perfectly demonstrates how any society—even a city as majestic as Esfahan—can be threatened by ignorance, betrayal, resentment, and misplaced blame. Reading Half the World, I was constantly finding myself reflecting on the people and places I love most—how important it is to protect and support them always. I have argued that Iranians have long provided humanity with some of the most beautiful, most captivating stories, and Shahrak's Half the World is further proof of this." - Jacob Reina, author of Purity of the Sky
"Set in pre-revolution Iran, Half the World manifests exquisite historical and cultural detail as author Leissa Shahrak deftly immerses newlyweds Angela and Doug Weston in a world of underlying conflict and intrigue. With masterful pacing Shahrak explores the world of cultural and political upheaval through the strain of undisclosed secrets that undermine their personal relationship, and the evolving revolutionary cataclysm that engulfs them. Shahrak builds the tension from these inner and outer world conflicts from the first paragraph to the spellbinding conclusion. This is indeed a good read. "
- Francis Flavin, author of The Muse in a Time of Madness
“Inspired by her poignant experiences in Iran, Leissa Shahrak explores Persian culture through the eyes of Angela and Doug, two Americans who are awed by the marvels of mosques and minarets but are also mystified by unexpected cultural challenges. While Angela, a gifted teacher, goes to great lengths to help Hossein Rahimi, her most difficult student, his conflicted relationship with her is full of surprises. Sharak's evocative prose turns poetic when she describes the streets of Esfahan, vibrant shades of blue, the shifting play of light on the mosque, and the aroma of mimosa. Behind the beauty is the real smell of fear near the SAVAK building, headquarters of the secret police. In the arched niche of the bridge squats a blind man with his beggar’s bowl, a leitmotif of imminent danger. In the months leading up to the 1979 Revolution that ousted the Shah, Angela and Doug must cope with the past they are not willing to confront until moments of crisis test them both."
- Karin Ciholas, author of The Lighthouse and The Bronze Door
bottom of page