Two Wings of a Nightingale.

Persian soul, Islamic heart.

By Jill Worrall

Iran is probably the most misunderstood country in the world, and its people are among the most feared. In this book award-winning travel writer Jill Worrall, with her friend Reza Mirkhalaf, a leading tour manager from Tehran, describe an Iran the world has forgotten about. Few people in the west know anything about the Iranian people beyond their current politics and religion. Two Wings of a Nightingale uses the threads of Iran's silk road heritage as a basis for a road trip travelogue. Many of the places visited have rarely been written about by westerners, and in writing this book Jill benefited from Reza's expert knowledge on Iran's history, religion, culture and architecture.

During their journey, Jill and Reza explore the caravanserai that were once a vital part of the silk routes that once crossed Persia, while also encountering many ordinary Iranians. In writing this book, Jill wanted to write about Iran in a way that would give readers a greater insight into the landscapes, landmarks and people of the country at a grassroots level. The title reflects the fact that they were two people of different sexes, different religions and cultures travelling together, yet keeping their travels harmoniously on course. It also refers to the many dichotomies of Iranian life. In the course of their travels, Jill and Reza visit the holiest city in Iran, Mashhad, paddle in the Persian Gulf, pass close by the borders of both Afghanistan and Iraq, stay with local families, play in the snow near Mt Ararat, pray in mosques, read poetry in Shiraz and eat ice creams in Isfahan.

234 x 153mm | paperback with flaps | 264pp + 8pp colour photographs

About the author

Jill Worrall is a New Zealand-based writer who has a passion for travel. Having worked as a journalist for more than 20 years, she decided in 2004 to become a freelance writer specialising in travel writing. She has a special love for the Islamic world and anywhere out of the ordinary, and has visited and led tour parties to such countries as Bhutan, India, Uzbekistan, Libya, Syria and Jordan. She has visited Iran about six times, and to research this book she travelled over 8000km on one trip alone. She has won several awards for her travel writing, including her previous book, A Blonde in the Bazaar (2003).

Reviews

'It's a delightful and insightful account of the people and places in a fascinating part of the world. What makes it particularly effective is the balance offered between Worrall's perceptive observations as an outsider - albeit one who has visited often - with the inside knowledge on local history, religion, culture and architecture added by her friend and leading tour guide Reza Mirkhalaf.' Jim Eagles, New Zealand Herald

'Jill Worrall and her guide show us Iran ... perfectly suited to the casual reader.' The Listener