Last Scene Underground An Ethnographic Novel of Iran [Hardcover]

Leili could not have imagined that arriving late to Islamic morals class would change the course of her life. But her arrival catches the eye of a young man, and a chance meeting soon draws Leili into a new circle of friends and artists. Gathering in the cafes of Tehran, these young college students come together to create an underground play that will wake up their generation. They play with fire, literally and figuratively, igniting a drama both personal and political to perform their playjust once.

From the wealthy suburbs and chic coffee shops of Tehran to subterranean spaces teeming with drugs and prostitution to spiritual lodges and saints' tombs in the mountains high above the city,Last Scene Undergroundpresents an Iran rarely seen. Young Tehranis navigate their way through politics, art, and the meaning of home and in the process learn hard lessons about censorship, creativity, and love. Their dangerous discoveries ultimately lead to finding themselves.

Written in the hopeful wake of Iran's Green Movement and against the long shadow of the Iran-Iraq war, this unique novel deepens our understanding of an elusive country that is full of misunderstood contradictions and wonder.

Last Scene Undergroundoffers a thought-provoking and powerful story about our collective attempts to re-imagine the world. Writing with an inspiring combination of creativity and criticality, Roxanne Varzi has crafted an exceptionally memorable portrait of Iran, bringing both Tehran and its young people to life. [Multiple options]Nothing visible is worth watching.It's in the hidden parts of the city where everything can be seen.Just playing, or acting out? The answer falls on where you stand: above board or underground.Many Iranians by law are forced to act their parts...so then why is theater so dangerous?Theater is a threat when reality is contained.Roxanne Varzi is a professor of anthropology and visual studies at the University of California, Irvine.lóÑ