If You Could Be Mine
Author: Sara Farizan
AUDIOBOOK
Published: August 20, 2013
Dates Read: January 8-14, 2016
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Summary from Amazon:
This Forbidden Romance Could Cost Them Their Lives
In this stunning debut, a young Iranian American writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most hidden corners of a much-talked-about culture.
Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love—Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.
So they carry on in secret—until Nasrin’s parents announce that they’ve arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they had before, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively—and openly.
Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman’s body is seen as nature’s mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. Sahar will never be able to love the one she wants in the body she wants to be loved in without risking her life. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self?
My review:
***Some spoilers***
The cover is what first drew me to If You Could Be Mine. It is simple, yet has so much meaning. When I read the premise, it also interested me and I found it a good book. I listened to the audiobook and it was a short 5 discs. The book was more about being gay/lesbian than transsexual in Iran, as Sahar is actually not transgender. I wondered how the book was going to end, and I was happy with the ending. At times Sahar seemed very immature and also quick thinking about the consequences to what she might or might not do. That comes from her being young.
Also, Nasrin was not very likeable. To me it also seemed like she didn’t love Sahar as much as Sahar loved her. So, I wondered as I read the book that if Sahar went through with the change and became a man would Nasrin accept him since Nasrin was already betrothed to another at this point. And why would Sahar not tell Nasrin her plans on having her gender changed? That is one thing I really did not understand through the whole book. If you are planning a change like this- why not tell Nasir to see what she thinks. AND again, she was betrothed to another at this point. To me it seemed like a losing battle for Sahar.
This book does give you an idea of what homosexuals and transgender individuals go through in other countries that are more oppressive than the US. The book is short, about 250 pages. It is a good read for such a short book. I would recommend the book.