City of Lies (Navai book)
| Company type | Nonfiction book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Ramita Navai |
| Products | Book |
City of Lies is a nonfiction work published in 2014 by British-Iranian journalist Ramita Navai, which delves into modern Iranian society with an emphasis on the impact of morality regulations, political oppression, duplicity, and censorship.
Summary
Through eight distinct chapters, the book investigates existence within the Islamic Republic of Iran by profiling various individuals such as a transgender military member, an Iranian-American extremist assassin, and an adult film performer. The narrative traces Valiasr Street as it stretches from Tehran's wealthy northern neighborhoods to its struggling southern areas, underscoring issues like authoritarian control, religious duplicity, and societal inequalities.
Reception
City of Lies received acclaim for its detailed depiction of Tehran’s hidden worlds and everyday experiences. Nonetheless, some reviewers pointed out the mixture of factual reporting and fictionalized composite characters. The book earned the Debut Political Book of the Year at the Paddy Power awards and was honored with a Jerwood Award from the Royal Society of Literature. Additionally, it was recognized as one of the top books of the year by both the Evening Standard and The Spectator.
In The Cairo Review, Holly Dagres praised its compassionate perspective despite moments intended to shock readers. On the other hand, Sohrab Ahmari writing for The Wall Street Journal criticized it for lacking proper sourcing and including exaggerated elements. Azadeh Moaveni, in her review for the Financial Times, emphasized how Navai captures Iranians’ collective awareness of social class, their aspirations, and the friction between tradition and modern life.
A prominent motif throughout is concealment: state repression forces many Iranians to hide their authentic selves behind a veneer of religious observance. James Buchan from The Guardian highlighted the pronounced disparity between public appearances and private realities. The book also discusses themes of personal freedom and identity among marginalized populations, especially women.