Polishing the Lens: Finding Ourselves in Immigrant Fiction

There is a specific kind of clarity that only comes through the eyes of another. Lately, I have been immersed in Harvesting Rosewater by Paria Hassouri, a beautifully rendered story by a fellow physician. It follows Farah, an accomplished female chief of OB-GYN who is navigating the complex, often exhausting choreography of a divorce, an empty nest, and the elusive pursuit of work-life balance.

As global awareness of the fight for freedom in Iran intensifies, the news cycles trigger a cascade of memories for Farah, causing her carefully constructed life to begin to unravel. The heart of the book lies in her journey toward sharing the secrets she carries and finding a way to move forward.

What I find most compelling about immigrant fiction—particularly when penned by strong women with professional backgrounds—is how it serves as a mirror to any society. These stories allow us to dive into a singular "slice of life" amidst the deep, wavy ocean of geopolitics and cultural conflict. They offer a window into the quiet corners of marriage, the weight of domesticity, and an individual’s unique viewpoint of the larger world. In many ways, these books act as a postcard of memories we all carry with us, regardless of our origin.

Reading Hassouri’s immersive references to family and belonging reminded me of a book I encountered many years ago: Marriage on the Street Corners of Tehran by Nadia Shahram. That story followed Ateesh, an ambitious young woman navigating an abusive marriage and the restrictive practice of "temporary marriages" while searching for love, education, and her own independence.

Both of these narratives remind me that while the "macro" view of the world is often defined by headlines and statistics, the "micro" view—the lived experience of a woman trying to reclaim her agency—is where the real truth resides.

I find myself constantly grinding my own lens for clarity, hoping to polish away the smudges of misunderstanding, one story at a time. Each book is a step toward a sharper, more empathetic view of the world around us.

What have you been reading lately? I would love to hear which stories are helping you polish your own lens.