
Equal of the Sun
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Simon Vance
About this listen
Iran in 1576 is a place of peace, wealth, and dazzling beauty. But when the Shah dies without having named an heir, the court is thrown into tumult. Princess Pari, the Shah's daughter and closest adviser, knows more about the inner workings of the state than almost anyone, but the princess's maneuvers to instill order after her father's sudden death incite resentment and dissent. Pari and her trusted servant, a eunuch able to navigate the harem as well as the world beyond the palace walls, are in possession of an incredible tapestry of secrets and information that reveals a power struggle of epic proportions.
Based loosely on the life of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, Equal of the Sun is a riveting story of political intrigue and a moving portrait of an unlikely friendship between a princess and a eunuch. Anita Amirrezvani is a master storyteller, and in her lustrous prose this rich and labyrinthine world comes to vivid life with a stunning cast of characters, passionate and brave men and women who defy or embrace their destiny in a Machiavellian game played by those who lust for power and will do anything to attain it.
©2012 Anita Amirrezvani (P)2012 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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The Hidden Prince
- By: Tessa Afshar
- Narrated by: Pilar Witherspoon
- Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel’s household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel’s most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel’s sons and their best friend, Jared. But after a tragic accident changes the course of her life, Keren finds herself in a foreign country, charged with a mysterious task: teaching a shepherd boy how to become a lord. When she overhears whispers that hint at his true identity, she realizes she must protect him from the schemes of a bloodthirsty king.
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Wow! This is the author's best book yet!
- By Carrie on 12-05-22
By: Tessa Afshar
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The Space Between Us
- By: Thrity Umrigar
- Narrated by: Purva Bedi
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling author Thrity Umrigar won the Nieman Fellowship and earned a finalist spot for the PEN/Beyond Margins award with The Space Between Us. Set in modern-day India, this evocative novel follows upper-middle-class Parsi housewife Sera Dubash and 65-year-old illiterate household worker Bhima as they make their way through life. Though separated by their stations in life, the two women share bonds of womanhood that prove far stronger than the divisions of class or culture.
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A Story that stays with you
- By gardener97 on 04-25-15
By: Thrity Umrigar
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A Stray Drop of Blood
- Visibullis Story Series, Book 1
- By: Roseanna M. White
- Narrated by: Mary Sarah
- Length: 20 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Abigail was born free, but when her parents die, she's sold into slavery to the family of a Roman soldier in Jerusalem. Fortunately, the Visibullis family is kind, and as years pass, she's proud to serve them. But Abigail's beauty attracts unwanted attention when their son, Jason, returns from Rome. She doesn't dare to defy him...but how can she ever love him as he demands? As Jerusalem boils with political unrest and the stories of a rabbi named Jesus who snags Jason's attention, Abigail struggles to find her new place in the family.
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Loved the story/narrative was rough
- By Alexis Spengler on 05-06-23
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The Prince and the Prodigal
- By: Jill Eileen Smith
- Narrated by: Rachel Botchan
- Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.
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Excellent, and one request
- By Avid Reader on 02-06-22
What listeners say about Equal of the Sun
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- Miriam
- 01-17-18
Culturally Different Historical Fiction
Most historical fiction I find is from Western Civilization. It is much harder to find any from other cultures. I really enjoyed listening to this novel about the Iranian government and royal family from Elizabethan times. The palace intrigues and layers of officials are intriguingly placed within the sparce historical figures depicted in this tale.
I usually hear Simon Vance speak in his native English accent. He used a quite believable Arabic intonation throughout this performance.
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- Erika Townsend
- 06-15-19
Do yourself a favor !
I absolutely adored this book! I also really enjoyed the narrator he was right up there with the guy who did game of thrones , the story in its self is beautiful and had me on a storm of heart ache and true feeling for the characters . I have never read a story such as this and I truly loved it
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- MDG1000
- 03-19-19
Gripping
Fantastic narration! Started slow to develop characters, then was very hard to pause the book. excellent story telling, weaving truth and fiction to create visuals that made you feel like you were there, and gain a better understanding of life in those times.
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- JGrace
- 06-26-13
A Woman in a Man's World
The story is told by the eunuch, Javaher, closest advisor to the Princess Pari. Javaher is uniquely positioned to navigate the treacherous political pathways of Iran’s 16th century court intrigue. While her father lives, Pari is in an unusual position of power and influence. After her father’s murder, her influence within the court decreases drastically.
This was an interesting look at historical events and a culture that are completely unknown to me. So, I can’t speak to how much this fiction conforms to fact. As a novel, this book was enjoyable reading. The descriptions were very rich and the action was well plotted. I was drawn into the conspiracy and the trauma of the story. I liked the major characters and I was saddened by the tragic events of the story. Clearly it was as dangerous to be female in the Iranian royal family as it was to be a female relation of 16th century English monarchs.
Simon Vance handles the accents and varied voices with his usual expertise. His performance goes a long way to set the exotic atmosphere of the story.
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67 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-28-17
Stick with it
I personally found it hard at first because of the various foreign names and thought of not finishing only after a few chapters. But then the poetry and charm of the narrator took a hold of me and I began to love the cadence and rhythm of everything. I was eventually sad for it to end and immediately tried to find something more by the same author or narrator. If you can, be patient as this nothing you have ever experienced before. I'd give it six stars if I could!
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1 person found this helpful
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- claire b cotts
- 12-29-17
very difficult to follow, probably better to read rather than to listen to
it's challenging to keep track of who is who and to follow the characters because the names are unfamiliar, and some are very similar.
sometimes, the rich florid style is interesting, but like baklava, a little goes a long way- afterwhile, it's a little bit too rich.
I made it over 2/3 of the way through, but then it started to feel repetitive, and I realized I wasn't enjoying it at all.
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1 person found this helpful
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- T. Hoyt
- 01-03-25
A different taste of history
This historical fiction takes place in 1576 Iran and loosely follows the story of one few female leaders of that time and location. Princess Pari Khan Khanoom leads from behind the scenes after the death of her father. She is confident and strong, which creates fear and resentment among those men with the power and funds to do anything about her. She makes enemies of the women who don't have the ear of favor of men of power and are confined to the harem. They whisper enough to create distrust. Her most trusted servant, ally, and friend is a eunuch named Javaher whose story is as interesting or more so as hers. He must tread lightly to appease both sides within the court. This story blended political intrigue with history. The imagery is fantastic.
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- crystal
- 12-29-15
Loved it!
I really enjoyed the performance. The story wasn't predictable. It was a great read. Would read again!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Nathan
- 12-25-17
Great historical story
This is one of those books that is hard to find when specifically looking. It is a well written as a story, based on true events and is read by a great narrator. Highly recommend.
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- SUSAN V.
- 01-07-18
Fascinating Historical Fiction!
It was so interesting to follow the inner workings of a politically savvy historical female. A strong woman leader who was very influential in a world and culture dominated by men.
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