Subjects:  1. anniversary    2. bridal    3. chocolate    4. gifts    5. relationships    6. romance    7. travel   

Subjects:  1. HotelsInnsetc.    2. Reference - Guides (General)    3. Travel    4. Travel - General    5. Weddings    6. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    7. Restaurant & pub guides   

Subjects:  1. Couples    2. Honeymoons    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - General   

Subjects:  1. HotelsInnsetc.    2. Travel    3. Travel - General    4. Weddings    5. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Description and travel    3. United States   

Editorial Review

Twenty years after the Iranian revolution, most westerners still imagine Iran to be a warren of anti-American rhetoric, terrorism, and fanatical repression, especially of women. Not surprisingly, only an unusual woman would choose to travel there, and Alison Wearing is certainly that. "I refused to believe that such a place of unalloyed evil truly existed," she writes. "I like to look for saints where there are said to be demons."Since it is the only country the world traveler could not imagine going to alone, she takes her fussy, gay roommate Ian, along with a fake wedding certificate and a story that they're on their honeymoon. Then she dons a black cloak, scarf, and chador (the full body covering required by Shiite Islam) for a five-month journey from the Caspian Sea (breaking into the Shah's ramshackle summer palace) to the holy city of Qom (and Khomeini's shrine) to a hidden Zoroastrian prayer site (where she faints from heat stroke).From the moment she steps into the country, she's surrounded by Iranians touched by her eagerness to learn about their country. There is the housewife who challenges her to a game of Ping-Pong in her long robe and scarf, offering food to her guests in between killer serves, and the Anglican minister who is "wholly enthralled by the art of living." There is the couple who spirit her away to a mountain oasis when she complains of the heat (leaving a message for Ian, "Mister Canada, we take your wife. We make her cold"), and the mother who tries to marry off her doctor son, joking that Wearing can't leave "not without my doctor" (a reference to the American film Read more

Reviews (48)

First book our club all agreed on
In almost 3 years of gathering, this was the first book our book club universally loved.Some loved it because it is a travelogue, some because of the suspense, some because of the humor, and others because it is an inside glimpse into another culture.I have purchased this book and recommended it to many people.It is a very enjoyable read.

Very One-sided
This is a book written in the typical voice of a westerner who knows nothing about Iran except what they have heard in stories and on TV and what they have imagined Iran to be--based on what they know of the Arab world (which is completely different from anything Iranian.)She presents a very one-sided view of Iran, never mentioning how Iran has the highest level of literacy among Middle Eastern nations, not to mention the highest level of educated women, and never having lived through the Iranian revolution, she gives herself the right to call the former Shah a heartless king who didn't have to think twice about giving the order to open fire on demonstrators during the revolution.She seemed bent on presenting a "simpleton" image of Iranians who are just hungry for anything western. Had Miss Wearing taken the time to educate herself about the history of the revolution of Iran, not to mention the rich ancient history of Iran and it's people, maybe this book would have been a bit more interesting, and a bit less like she is just laughing at the people who have opened their homes and hearts to a complete stranger.
I never read travel books...
... however, as a required reading for a class I am currently enrolled in, I am extremely glad that my instructor chose Honeymoon in Purdah! Wearing promises and delivers beyond the expectations outlined on the back of the book/jackets.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Iran    3. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

How to Have a Fabulous, Romantic Honeymoon on a Budget
This book is by far one of the best common sense travel books I have ever read.My husband and I chose to splurge on one of the more expensive honeymoons staying on a resort in the Poconos.This book helped us toafford this extravagance and offered many additional suggestions aboutother places to visit along the way.Tips on booking affordable flights,eating inexpensively, and securing nice but affordable lodging wasincluded.This book goes state by state, so you will find a perfect,romantic honeymoon even in your home state.We have re-used this book toplan other vacations, and I loan it out to many of my friends and familymembers when they are choosing family vacations.This book is a must have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. General    4. Honeymoons    5. Love & Romance    6. North America    7. Reference    8. Travel    9. United States   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic resource for planning the Honeymoon of your dreams
Katharine does a fantastic job of picking the most romantic resorts in the world.My wife and I use this as our primary trip guide for all our travels.If Katharine doesn't cover it, then you probably don't want tostay there! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Honeymoons    3. Hotels    4. HotelsInnsetc.    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Resorts    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Honeymoons    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - General    6. Weddings    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / General   

Reviews (1)

A guide for planning a romantic trip to the islands
There was a lot of good information about where to stay in Hawaii.Ifound the information about planning a wedding to be a bit sparse.I wishthere was more about florists, photographers, etc., and more than just onewedding consultant per island listed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - General    4. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Subjects:  1. Couples    2. General    3. Geography (General)    4. Guidebooks    5. Honeymoons    6. Hotels    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Soviet Union   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Description and travel    3. Europe   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Travel    3. United States   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Description and travel    3. Europe   

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Honeymoon    3. Matteson, Jane Paetzold    4. Matteson, Robert E    5. Saint Paul    6. Weddings    7. West (U.S.)   

Subjects:  1. 1876-1950    2. Colorado    3. Description and travel   

Subjects:  1. Atlantic States    2. Description and travel   

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Description and travel