Rosewater and Sodabread is the second novel written by the author Marsh Mehran, which is part of a series about three Iranian sisters who emigrate to Ireland to open the Babylon Cafe. Follow the adventures of the Aminpour sisters in both Pomegranate Soup and Rosewater and Sodabread, and you will be entertained, as these three characters are each different and intriguing in their own ways. Actually, Pomegranate Soup was one of my favorite novels I have ever read, so when Rosewater and Sodabread came out in 2008, I was highly anticipating the sequel. The second novel was not quite as special to me as the first (I really loved Pomegranate Soup), but I still enjoyed reading about my favorite characters in this second installment. I wish their had been a third, but every time I visit Marsha Mehran’s Amazon profile, I have yet to hear anything about her upcoming novels.
Marsha Mehran’s book Rosewater and Soda Bread is a pleasant sequel to the book Pomegranate Soup, but I felt like I was left hanging at the end because I want to know what happens to the three sisters after the 1980′s. For some reason I really like listening to U2 when I read these two novels, which kind of sets the mood for the Ireland of the time.
The Aminpour sisters escaped the Iranian Revolution and moved to England and then on to Ireland where they set up the Babylon Cafe. Marjan is the grounded eldest sister, who is in charge of running the Babylon Cafe and ensuring that her entire family stays afloat. Often this pressure is immense for Marjan, and she is always too busy looking at recipes and helping customers to take the time out for a suitor by the name of Julian Winthrop Muir. Will Marjan let down her hair and give into love? You will just have to read the book to find out.
Bahar is the anxiety-ridden middle sister who believes in acting proper and lectures their younger sister, Layla, about not drinking and spending too much time with her boyfriend. However, many of Bahar’s worries have evaporated since their move to Ireland and she finally reveals the reason for her new found solace to the family, but you will have to read the book to see what that is.
Layla is the alluringly beautiful free spirit that is now growing up, and she wants to do something that Marjan does not support. What will Layla do, and how will this mark her step into adulthood? Stayed tuned by reading the book to find out what happens to all three of these beautiful ladies.
The descriptions of the food and the Irish scenery in Rosewater and Sodabread are hypnotic and sumptuous to all the five senses. There are Persian recipes in the back of the book that allow the reader to replicate many of the delicacies served at the Babylon Cafe. Four years after reading this second novel about the Aminpour sisters, I hope there might be a third installment soon.
While I don’t have time at the moment to be reading new books, your description really makes me want to pick up this book and start reading. I will put it on my list of future books to read.
Pomegranate Soup was much more of an engrossing story, but I also liked the sequel Rosewater and Sodabread. The only thing that disappointed me about the sequel was it seemed as if the author had planned on writing a new book soon after, and the wait has been awhile. Maybe she is ending the story leaving us hanging, but I really want to know what happens to Marjan and her sisters. The recipes are one of the best aspects of the book.
Ooh, I want to read these books! Another fantastic book find. My TBR list is growing but with awesome books! Thanks Julia.
Rosewater and Sodabread was a very good read, but I wish Marsha Mehran would have continued her series. She left us hanging, so I hope there is a third installment sometime in the future.