Words Not Swords

As women across the globe have sprung free from the traditional oppressions of patriarchal societies over the last 150+ years, Milani (Persian literature and studies in women and gender, U. of Virginia) examines the role women writers have had in effecting change and inspiring their global sisters to find their own voices. She draws on the struggle of her own native Iranian women's fight for freedom of movement and human rights, as well as three other important women figures, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She analyzes film and literary works that serve to dissolve the stereotypical depictions of women's roles and place in society. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Farzaneh Milani is professor of Persian Literature and Studies in Women and Gender at the University of Virginia. She is the author of Veils and Words: The Emerging Voice of Iranian Women Writers and the coeditor and translator of A Cup of Sin: Selected Poems by Simin Behbahani.