Reviews of
The Blue Mosaic Vase
by Christie Shary

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Blue Vase, and was apparently having such a good time doing it that my mother-in-law strongly hinted that I should leave the book with her. Christie Shary tells about the lives of women in Persia through the experiences of a male protagonist. Using the blue vase as a metaphor for how each woman valued and treated him was effective and touching. It was obvious that this was well researched as well as well written. The spirit and worlds of the different social classes came through very clearly. Of course, I did leave the book behind - this is one to share!

~Marga Donahoo
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Shary spins a tale of lyrical exposition about one young man, Mohammad, as he matures in Iran. The author's perfect prose captures both the brutality and the extraordinary adventure. For all its early century cruelty and unfairness, The Blue Mosaic Vase suggests in stubbornly unvarnished prose, that Mohammad will find the strength to persevere despite the implacable descriptions of the squalor of life among the poor in early Tehran. Mohammad displays the patience and dignity that comes from trying your hardest and his success is well earned. He challenges the authoritarian voice of the culture. The Blue Mosaic Vase is as heartfelt and poignant a coming-of-age as they come and a splendid contribution to the literature of the period. Mohammad is committed to progress and the reader will find him both inspirational and empathetic. Shary writes quietly, almost tenderly, about faith and the ordinary people of early Iran. The author has a gift for making the characters highly accessible. She brings Mohammed through the crises with the same tenderness that makes all her books such a pleasure to read.

~Roger D. Coleman, Ph.D/Writer
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Shary's book gives 'coming of age' a all new, deeper meaning. Reading the pages of this story is almost as walking that same grounds, living the same experiences, surviving the same dangers as our protagonist. Great read!

~M.G. Swan
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"The Blue Mosaic Vase" is a cultural page-turner filled with sensory and poetic descriptions of Iran and it's heritage in the early twentieth century. The well-developed and sympathetic characters drive the plot, rich with emotion, romance and suspense. An excellent read!

~Julie Christensen-Dull

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