When Jamie Maslin decides to hitchhike the entire length of the Silk Road, he decides to travel first and plan later. Then, unexpectedly stranded in Iran - a country he’s only read about in newspapers - he wonders whether he’ll make it out alive.
After crossing the border on foot from Turkey, Maslin finds himself plunged into the subversive, contradictory world of Iranian subculture, where he is embraced by locals who are happy to show him the true Iran as they see it - where tourists are treated like royalty; where cab drivers shout abuse at Mullahs from their car windows; where unmarried men and women mingle in Western clothes at secret parties; where cans of whiskey (the possession of which is punishable by lashings) are readily available on the black market; where Christian churches are national heritage sites; and where he discovers the real meaning of friendship, nationality, and hospitality.
This is the hilarious and dynamic account of one Westerner's life-altering rambles that illustrates first-hand the attitudes and aspirations of a nation in flux.
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Reviews
“Jamie Maslin is cool – and he has adventures far beyond anything Jack Kerouac could ever dream of.”
“Bill Bryson meets Jack Kerouac. For anyone who enjoys adventure and travel, this book is a raw, gripping, philosophical, and hilarious first person account of traveling to remote and exotic destinations—you won’t be able to put this book down, and you will feel close to the sincere, earnest author within a few pages.”
“In a time where an understanding of different cultures is more important than ever, I’m so glad we have books like Jamie Maslin’s. Both informative and entertaining, Maslin paints a picture of Iran in stark contrast to the caricature one fed to us by the mainstream media. A riveting, off-the-beaten-track tale of adventure and self discovery that can’t fail to provide new insight on a country unfairly demonized in the West.”
“An unexpectedly enlightening introduction to an unfairly misunderstood country and culture.”
“Maslin offers invaluable insights into this oppressive and demonized nation as he marvels over its lush valleys and mountains, stark desert, and the magnificent Al Sadr Caves. Intrepid, observant, funny, and charming, Maslin explores Tabriz, Tehran, Esfahn, and the ancient city of Persepolis, and he visits museums, bazaars, and nightclubs, eating splendidly well and drinking gallons of tea, and, on one wild night, 96-proof ethanol (alcoholic beverages are illegal). Maslin describes a far more complex and hopeful Iran than outsiders usually perceive.”
“Maslin’s debut entertains. Best read for its snapshots of a culture largely misunderstood.”
“A timely and valuable book by a young Westerner who decides to see Iran for himself. Maslin is naive upon his arrival—having no idea what to expect—but keeps an open mind and invites the reader along on his fascinating and colorful adventures. His experiences reveal the lies that mainstream media are telling us about the country. Having read this book, I may visit Iran in the near future.”
“Jamie Maslin follows a long line of intrepid young Britons, from Laurie Lee to Paddy Leigh Fermor and, most recently, Rory Stewart, who set off on a journey to distant parts with little money but lots of curiosity; and return to tell their tale. Maslin has a good ear for dialogue and a keen eye. The result is a hitchhiking odyssey across Iran that provides a fascinating, and timely, behind-the-scenes glimpse of a country the news anchors never reach.”