Pomegranate Soup

A Novel

By: Marsha Mehran

Narrated by: Donia Bijan

To the exotic Aminpour sisters, Ireland looks like a much-needed safe haven. It has been seven years since Marjan Aminpour fled Iran with her younger sisters, Bahar and Layla, and she hopes that in Ballinacroagh they might finally find a home.

The sisters set about creating a Persian oasis and soon sensuous wafts of cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron float through the streets-an exotic aroma that announces the opening of the Babylon Cafe. And it is an affront to the senses of Ballinacroagh's uncrowned king, Thomas McGuire. After trying to buy the old pastry shop for years and failing, Thomas is enraged to find it occupied-and by foreigners, no less.

But the mysterious, spicy fragrances work their magic on the townsfolk, and soon, business is booming. Marjan is thrilled with the demand for her red lentil soup, abgusht stew, and rosewater baklava-and with the transformation in her sisters.

The sisters find a merry band of supporters against the close-minded opposition of less welcoming villagers stuck in their ways. But the idyll is soon broken when the past rushes back to threaten the Amnipours once more, and the lives they left behind in revolution-era Iran bleed into the present.

©2005 Marsha Mehran (P)2023 Tantor

Cultures meeting and clashing

Really enjoyed a great balance in bringing the characters into the book as well as expanding on each key character. Blending cuisine and spices into the story was unique and yet it reminded me of the Chocolat book/movie. It was an easy, peaceful and gentle read which is what I needed this month.

Lack of Irish accent

I read this book years ago and it has remained one of my favorites. Had I sampled the audiobook I wouldn’t have purchased it. No lively Irish lilts or Persian accents. It nearly ruined the book for me. The narrator was clear and concise, like a third grade teacher reading to students. No emotions. The story remains wonderful and the dishes prepared in the cafe sound magical, as I remember from the book.