Praise for Anahita's Woven Riddle
"Anahita's Woven Riddle is an enchanting tale of coming of age in old Persia. Sayres has created a tactile fictional world in which we can feel the changing of the seasons, hear the click of the looms, smell the rosewater and the lanolin. The spirited Anahita has the mettle to challenge the obstacles to her happiness in the society in which she lives, and the humility to confront the obstacles to growth in her own character. The story lingers sweetly in the mind long after the book has been closed."
---Susan Fletcher, author of Alphabet of Dreams and Shadow Spinner
"An intriguing fictional story that combines history and anthropology with the moving narrative about a young tribal nomadic girl in Iran. Meghan Nuttall Sayres offer a realistic rendition of the lives of nomads in Iran at the end of the nineteenth century. her Anahita stands as a symbol of those who were caught between age-old tribal customs and the beginnings of reforms that would soon change the lives of many women in Iran...an inspiring tale of courage and assertion."
---Lois Beck, Professor of Anthropology, Washington University in Saint Louis, author of Nomad: A year in the Life of a Qashqa'i Tribesman in Iran
Reviews
Sayres' novel is beautifully written and rich in cultural descriptions and characterizations, making it a standout. Of particular note is the effectiveness with which Sayres draws the suitors; all three are extremely well-crafted, multidimensional characters who, like Anahita, long for something more out of life, and readers will likely find it difficult deciding whom to champion...Offering history, romance, literature, and an element of mystery, this novel will appeal to a wide cross-section of readers.
---Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
Anahita ' s Woven Riddle offers a glimpse into a world not many books enter. Sayres does an excellent job developing characters that intrigue and tug at the heart.
---Historical Novels Review
One of the great gifts of literature is that it can entertain us, while at the same time expanding our world. A case in point is Meghan Nuttall Sayres's young adult novel, Anahita's Woven Riddle (Abrams, 2006)...Sayres skillfully interlaces a lot of Persian history and culture, including information about the daily lives of nomads, Sufi poetry, and carpets and carpet weaving into Anahita's story. This is a good choice for readers 12 and up.
---Nancy Pearl Book Reviews
