Marina Nemat: Mistress of the Persian Boarding House
About this Event
TPL presents internationally bestselling author Marina Nemat in conversation with Farah Heron at the North York Central Library's Concourse Event Space.
In her debut work of historical fiction, Mistress of the Persian Boarding House, Nemat turns to the extraordinary life of her paternal grandmother, Zina, a Russian woman who fled the chaos of the 1917 Revolution and rebuilt her life in Iran. There, in a boarding house that becomes a refuge for other displaced women, Zina forms an unbreakable bond with fellow outsiders from Russia and Iran, women who support one another through childbirth, illness, poverty, political upheaval, and a pandemic. Amid this turmoil, Zina's path crosses with the ambitious Reza Khan, the future Shah of Iran, whose presence in her life becomes both an escape and a source of enduring hardship and sorrow.
Spanning decades and alternating between Zina's years in Russia and her later life in Iran, this sweeping novel asks: what does it mean to build a home and a family from nothing, in the wreckage of empire and revolution?
Drawing on her own family history and her lifelong engagement with themes of exile, resilience, and the search for home, first explored in her internationally bestselling memoir Prisoner of Tehran, Nemat brings the same unflinching honesty and tenderness to her grandmother's story that made her own so unforgettable.
Join Marina Nemat for an intimate conversation about inheritance, chosen family, and the quiet heroism of women who have had to build their lives twice.
Q&A and book signing to follow. Books available for purchase.
About this event’s guests:
Marina Nemat
Farah Heron
Read more:
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PLAN YOUR VISIT:
Location: Concourse Event Space, North York Central Library (5120 Yonge St), Lower Level
Time: Doors open 6:00pm, Event starts 7:00pm.
Tickets: Free registration required.
Ticket policy: We oversell these events to ensure that the greatest number of people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets guaranteed until 6:45pm or until capacity is reached. Seating first come, first served.
Accessibility: TPL is committed to accessibility. If you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation for this event, please contact [email protected] or 416-393-7099 at least three weeks prior to the event.
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This event is part of our signature Salon Series, where we host local and international authors, artists and thinkers in conversation about their new books and big ideas.
This event is also part of TPL's programming series, Islamic History and Culture.
This series aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Muslim communities' invaluable contributions to our shared history and identity. Join us in celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community and makes our city a more vibrant and inclusive place for all.
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Information Collection Notice: The personal information on this form is collected by the Toronto Public Library under the Public Libraries Act, sections 20(a), 20(c), and 20(d). The information will only be used for event and program registration, delivery and evaluation. Registrants may be contacted to fill out a brief survey following the program. Questions about how the library handles your information can be directed to Answerline staff at [email protected], 416-397-5981, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M4W 2G8.
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Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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