{"product_id":"better-than-war-stories-9780820353746","title":"Better Than War: Stories","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe stories in \u003ci\u003eBetter Than War\u003c\/i\u003e encompass narratives from a diverse set of Iranian immigrants, many searching for a balance between memories of their homeland and their new American culture. The everyday life of each character subtly reflects viewpoints that are simultaneously Iranian and American, of all ages and circumstances. These stories deal with family, friends, relationships, urban life, prison, school, and adolescence. They also contain powerful messages about what people want, need, and deserve as citizens and human beings. For instance, in the story \"Better Than War\" a young Iranian boy must overcome the fear of asking an American girl on a date. His friend tells him there is no shame in pouring your heart out to someone you like. The boy must realize that expressing emotion and sorrow is worth the embarrassment because it shows loved ones that you are better than hatred--and especially better than war.\u003cbr\u003e All Iranian immigrants, young or old, carry with them a vivid past in their contemporary life. These histories help provide perspective, thankfulness, and virtue to their families and friends. Vossoughi's \u003ci\u003eBetter Than War\u003c\/i\u003e is about growing up, coming of age, and raising children in America while still remembering the importance of retaining Iranian pride.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eSIAMAK VOSSOUGHI is an Iranian-American writer whose collection \u003ci\u003eBetter Than War\u003c\/i\u003e came out in 2015. The collection was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. He has received a fiction\u003cbr\u003efellowship from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. He lives in San Francisco.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"University of Georgia Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50492158968082,"sku":"9780820353746","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0ef5574c-d0b9-4b9d-8416-dd5592232658.jpg?v=1730573854","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/better-than-war-stories-9780820353746","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}