Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1970s, No Borders for Truth, by Martin J. Brown, unfolds
across two worlds, a family in Iran, entangled in the upheaval of revolution, and another in New Jersey,
navigating the quiet devastation of loss. At its heart is Shideh, a perceptive, introspective girl watching
her sister drift into the tide of rebellion sweeping through Tehran. Across the ocean, Richard grapples
with his own burdens, abandoning personal aspirations to support his grieving family, haunted by his
father’s final words. The novel thrives on what remains unspoken silence, carrying the weight of
unresolved tension, loss, and fate’s inexplicable intersections. Two souls, untethered by grief, cross
paths without fully understanding what forces have drawn them together.

Brown’s portrayal of women in this story is especially striking. Shideh’s mother, a figure of quiet
resilience, prays through the night, her whispered faith a thread holding her family together. Shideh
herself, torn between helplessness and hope, clings to what remains. Then there is Mahin, adrift in loss.
The echoes of Esteri’s death, her vibrant curiosity extinguished in the flames of the Cinema Rex fire,
linger hauntingly through Shideh’s narrative. Iranian history, so often sidelined in Western literature,
breathes fully in these pages. From the orange groves of Tehran to the creeping suffocation of an
emerging regime, every detail is rendered with immersive precision.

From the opening pages, Brown’s prose reads like poetry, vivid, meticulous, and arresting. Each
sentence lands with precision, demanding the reader’s full attention. While their paths intertwine
meaningfully, the novel remains steadfast in its refusal to become a love story. Instead, it is a meditation
on family, exile, and the scars left by revolution and war. The pain of leaving home in search of
something better while still yearning for the familiar is captured with heartbreaking authenticity.

What lingers most is how the novel treats history not as a backdrop but as a living force, shaping and
shattering lives. The fear in Shideh’s home, the tension in the streets, and the gradual loss of a place
that once felt safe all seeps into the narrative, inescapable and raw. Meanwhile, Richard’s grief mirrors

this displacement in a quieter, more insular way. Their connection, subtle yet significant, reinforces the
novel’s central theme: history, grief, and the indelible imprints left on those who are forced to leave
everything behind.

I highly recommend No Borders for Truth to readers who appreciate historical fiction that is both
intimate and immersive. This is a story of faith, sacrifice, and the bittersweet reality of gaining
something while losing something else. With its lyrical prose and deeply human characters, it is a novel
that lingers long after the final page.

Rating: 5 Stars

Books, Reviews, and Everything Written (BREW) for you.

Martin J. Brown’s No Borders for Truth is a gripping tale that skillfully concocts a touching account of family, identity, and surprising connections with the turbulent political climate of Iran in the 1970s.

Heartfelt and timely.

The ability of storytelling to humanise history is what gives it strength, and No Borders for Truth succeeds in doing so by offering a glimpse into a little-known period of history. Iran’s political turmoil not only split families and changed lives, but it also produced a diaspora that still influences Iranian identity today. Against this backdrop, Brown’s work depicts the human consequences of these tectonic events, reminding readers that there are stories of people tackling love, sorrow, and hope behind every headline.

The book chronicles the lives of Richard Holmes, an American undergraduate athlete dealing with his own issues of identity and family loss, and Shideh Ghasemi, a young Iranian woman battling the political and cultural change of her native country. Despite the fact that their stories take place on separate continents, their lives unexpectedly cross paths, exposing a common yearning for purpose, understanding, and connection. From the busy streets of Tehran to the serene, contemplative periods in New Jersey, Brown’s skill in painting vivid scenes transports the reader to these characters’ worlds, making their journey both fascinating and thought-provoking.

The book’s virtues are found in its intricately interwoven content, which explores difficult historical subjects via the protagonists’ intensely personal experiences. Particularly in passages like Shideh’s contemplations on her family’s aspirations and sacrifices, Brown’s writing strikes a balance between the poetic and the pragmatic, evoking and grounding both. The story’s appeal goes beyond history buffs; it speaks to anyone who enjoys tales of resilience and the quest for identity in the face of adversity. Its dual viewpoint, which provides a rare story that delicately and sympathetically embraces both Iranian and American experiences, is what makes it special. The only little phrasing that could be more fluid, such as some tense switches, is the careful editing. My favourite part of the book is the depiction of the Cinema Rex tragedy, where the author masterfully captures the anguish of loss and the broader cultural trauma, creating a moment that is both harrowing and deeply human.

One area where the book could benefit from improvement is in the pacing of some domestic scenes, which occasionally slow the narrative’s momentum. This book may not be for readers seeking a fast-paced thriller or those uninterested in the nuanced exploration of cultural and political themes. However, it will be deeply appreciated by fans of historical fiction, literary fiction, and those who enjoy exploring the complexities of family dynamics against a backdrop of political change. Readers of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner or Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake will find a familiar emotional depth and cultural richness in this story.

With No Borders for Truth, Martin J. Brown offers more than just a novel; he provides a bridge between worlds, reminding us that despite cultural divides, the human experience is universal. The narrative’s tender exploration of identity, set against a backdrop of historical upheaval, creates a poignant blend of love, loss, and resilience. Brown’s storytelling is like a carefully woven Persian carpet—rich with detail, intricate in its design, and resonant with the enduring themes of belonging and hope. As readers turn the final page, they are left with a sense of connection to a world both foreign and familiar, and a lingering appreciation for the power of truth in storytelling.

Rating

• Content: 4
• Writing Style or Visual Presentation: 4
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5
• Uniqueness: 5
• Editing: 4
• Other Factors: 4
• Overall Average Rating: 4.33 out of 5 stars

No Borders for Truth by Martin J. Brown offers a moving and intricately crafted narrative that offers a vivid examination of a little-known period in history, blending personal stories with sweeping historical events. Set against the backdrop of Iran’s political turmoil in the mid-1970s and the American experience in New Jersey, Brown’s novel intertwines the lives of two protagonists—Richard Holmes, an American undergraduate athlete, and Shideh Ghasemi, a young Iranian woman navigating the cultural and political changes of her homeland.

The novel opens in Northern Tehran, Iran, where Shideh’s world is upended by political unrest and personal loss. Her journey is poignant and is an exploration of aspirations, sacrifice, and survival in the face of adversity. Shideh’s internal struggle with her family’s expectations and the changing political landscape captures the complexities of Iranian identity during a time of upheaval. Through her eyes, we witness the deep emotional consequences of living through historical turmoil—the anxiety of a family divided by ideology, the fear of arrest, and the desperate hope for a better future. Brown’s prose is poetic, evoking the raw emotions of loss and longing that permeate Shideh’s narrative.

Simultaneously, Richard’s story unfolds in Northern New Jersey, where he grapples with his own identity and the sense of dislocation that comes from losing his father. As he navigates the challenges of college life, Richard’s journey mirrors Shideh’s in its quest for purpose and connection. Their paths cross unexpectedly, revealing shared themes of yearning for understanding and belonging. The contrasts between Tehran’s bustling streets and New Jersey’s serene, contemplative moments create a vivid juxtaposition that highlights the universality of their struggles. Brown’s ability to paint these contrasting scenes—whether it’s the vibrant energy of Tehran or the introspective quiet of New Jersey—transports readers to these characters’ worlds, making their experiences relatable and thought-provoking.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its dual perspectives, offering a nuanced portrayal of both Iranian and American experiences. Brown weaves together these disparate backgrounds, showing how historical events shape personal lives across cultures. The narrative’s complexity is reflected in its detailed exploration of cultural and political themes—capturing the impact of the Cinema Rex tragedy on Iranian society, the trauma of loss, and the broader cultural shifts that define an era. However, some pacing issues occasionally slow the narrative, particularly in domestic scenes where the book’s momentum lags. This may not appeal to readers seeking a fast-paced thriller, but those interested in historical fiction and literary explorations of identity will find much to appreciate.

With No Borders for Truth, Martin J. Brown creates more than just a novel; he provides a bridge between world and leaves readers with a sense of connection to a world both foreign and familiar—a world that, despite its divides, remains fundamentally human.

Rating: 4 Stars | Silver Award Winner

If you attended college in the late seventies and early eighties as I did, reading this book will awaken some memories. If you weren’t around, you will find this story fascinating. During this period in Iran, the Shah’s regime – installed by the CIA by way of coup in the 1950’s, was under siege by the Ayatollah Khomeini inspired “Revolutionists” looking to overthrow it. They succeeded. Iranians who had acquired great wealth under the Shah, rightly or wrongly, were looking to get out. Many had to escape to save themselves from the revolutionists wrath of terror. Others were simply looking for a quality college education abroad. Scores of Iranian (or Persian) college aged students found refuge in American and Canadian universities. As a college student during this time, I didn’t realize the peril and sacrifice some of these Iranian students endured. Author Martin J. Brown opens that door in his historical fiction, “No Borders for Truth.” Did American college students of the time consider the Iranian students they shared classes with? Was the culture of Iran so alien from the American way of life, that convergence was impossible? Were lives in danger? “No Borders for Truth” will keep you turning pages to find out, and might also jar a memory or two.

Rating: 5 Stars

Normally not interested in this subject matter, I was drawn to the relationship aspect of this novel as recommended by a friend- and I LOVED it. -Highly recommended reading.

Rating: 5 Stars