Book Review: Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

By Amanda Linsmeier

Veil of Roses (Bantam Books, 2006) by Laura Fitzgerald is a compelling and beautiful novel. Tamila, a 27-year old Iranian woman travels to America as a gift from her loving parents. It is their hope, and Tami’s too, that she will find a husband before her tourist’s visa expires so that she is able to stay in America forever. Although Tami loves her parents desperately, she is willing to make the sacrifice of marrying a stranger in order to stay in “the land of the free”. While staying with her sister Maryam, Tami is given opportunities to explore this strange and foreign land. She is able to take off her veil and not fear persecution. She can look men in the eye and not be afraid. She doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Tami takes up photography and joins an ESL class to better her communication skills. At her class she meets many new friends, including Eva, an “incorrigible” German with a talent for making Tami blush. Combining Tami’s newfound passion for freedom and her strength in making decisions is her interest in Ike, a Starbucks employee who catches Tami’s eye one day before her class. Despite Maryam’s objections to an American man, Tami finds herself drawn to Ike in a new and frightening way. Hiding the secrets of her heart, Tami is forced by her sister and her own desire to become married, to enter into a series of awkward matchmaking events in the hopes of finding a husband and gaining a Green Card.

This novel is very interesting. To look at America through the eyes of someone who is repressed is truly touching. To Tami, stepping into Victoria’s secret is not only terrifying but also extremely liberating. Flirting with a man, “free samples”, mini-skirts, men and women conversing in public, and so on, are all new experiences for Tami. and It is fun to see what she goes through and sad to know what others take it for granted. The journey Tami takes in this novel is exciting, distressing, humorous, and scary. Fitzgerald’s wonderful story about family, sacrifice, love and freedom will touch many readers.