The authoress needed a title. The title attracts but does not do the story justice. There seem to be two protagonists in this tale. The original one is the mother, but the daughter is important as well. Maryam the mother had a happy childhood in Iran until she became a victim to the superstitions, religious customs and beliefs, her own restless nature and her father's cruel and arbitrary adherence to old customs regarding respect and honor. Maryam grows up and builds a life for herself in London. We are all intertwined. The mistakes committed in one's past can reverberate throughout generations. The mistake was made by Maryam's father, and she and her loved ones paid the consequences.As Maryam's story unfolds we are also given a glimpse of Iran's recent history, that is the last 60 years.A moving story, written so well, you can't turn away.