Review of Odyssey of High Hopes

[Kigen Valarie]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Odyssey of High Hopes" by Cyrus A. Ansary.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Being the last born of the Ansary household, Cyrus A. Ansary's story is a walk through time with a man whose life has been nothing short of adventurous. Thoughts of getting to America came early to him. While most teenagers were dreaming of different things, he was hatching a plan to leave his home country, Iran. Cyrus did not fail to take the chance that came to him to get to his dream country; however, a lot of obstacles stood in his way then, and he reaches a point where he is worried that the new country he had come to to create a better life may not be all he had thought it was. Odyssey of High Hopes is his memoir telling a story of a person who is determined, going deep into an interesting century. 

From the introduction of the book, we are already aware of the author's goal. For a story that spans over decades, it is interactive and entertaining. I got a good introduction to the author's homeland. As a child, they moved around a bit before they settled in Tehran. It was interesting reading about the culture of a country I knew little about. I also learned a bit more about Abadeh, Shiraz, and Ahvaz. The events in his family shaped and modeled him. Curious about his father's life, he held him in high regard and came to find his teachings valuable in his life. 

It is not only history that makes Cyrus's story exciting. His personality is hard to disregard. He was (and still is) relentless, outgoing, kind, and fun to read about. He is a person you would be glad to meet in life and even have a conversation with. Reading about his life is like spending time with a person full of vigor. While most people played a huge part in his life, including his parents, his brothers, his sister, and even his wife, Cyrus does not deflect from his story. He tells us more about his life, ensuring each part is covered in detail. He does not cover details that make the story lengthy and/or boring. His descriptions bring the events to life, and I felt like I was in stride with whatever happened in his life. His childhood life (struggling to learn an alien tongue on his own, life at Kakh Elementary, his relationship with the mother, etc.) came out clearly, and it was easy to decipher how he felt about different situations.

The book comprises three books, each telling a part of his life. I loved that the author's story, although not in a consecutive timeline, was presented clearly and was easy to understand. For a coherent effect, he included pictures showing snippets of life (I even got to read a copy of The Dallas Morning News written in January 1950). The only criticism I have for this is that the pictures would have served the purpose better if they came at the end of the book.

Saying that I was hooked would be an understatement. I have gone through history and learned a lot of what happened in the 20th century, all while getting to know more about the author. The editing was exceptionally well done. I therefore rate Odyssey of High Hopes: A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph by Cyrus Ansary 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to all who are interested in interactive memoirs. Those interested in finance, economics, and international relations will also be fascinated with the information included in the book. This will also be an interesting find for those who love history. I love the style of writing used in this book and will not hesitate to read another book by Ansary.

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Odyssey of High Hopes
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[Williams Jaden]

Odyssey of High Hopes by Cyrus A. Ansary is a memoir chronicling his journey from Iran to America in pursuit of a better life. As the youngest in his family, Cyrus faced numerous obstacles but remained determined to achieve his dreams. The book offers a compelling glimpse into his adventurous life and reflections on his journey through a transformative century.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

The reviewer likes this book, and on reading the first few pages I can see why. I always find stories that span decades interesting and this one has the added bonus of feeling what’s it’s like in Iran

[Seetha E]

I sampled a few pages and can confirm that the writing is impressive-simple, straight from the heart, and the narrative instantly drew me in with his father's back story. Going by the review, this is an inspiring and worthwhile read. Thank you for a great review.

[Abigail Ekwetafia]

The reviewer showed love and deep respect for this book and also the author,and I could see why. I've always enjoyed history and getting to read what it was like back then from the authors point of view is just amazing, I'm sure I'll be hooked too just like the reviewer when I get to read it, because to be honest I'm already anticipating reading it just from the sample I read...

[Mr Benj]

Odyssey of High Hopes" by Cyrus A. Ansary., a book that features a household, teenagers, a quest to go to America. It will be interesting to read about the quest to leave their hometown for other places.

[Macel A]

Id love to read about the history of Iran the hometown of the author and how the search for greener pastures turned out. Fantastic review

[Sushan Ekanayake]

From Tehran to the U.S., "Odyssey of High Hopes" by Cyrus A. Ansary is a memoir of grit, exile & ambition. Fleeing Iran as a teen, he battles language barriers, culture shock & doubt—yet thrives. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Stephanie Gail Stephen]

Your review vividly captures Cyrus Ansary’s journey, showcasing his relentless spirit and the blend of personal history with 20th-century events. I particularly appreciated how you highlighted the author's clear and engaging storytelling and the cultural insights into Abadeh, Shiraz, and Ahvaz.

[Margaret Maina 18]

The reviewer has done an excellent job capturing the heart and depth of Odyssey of High Hopes: A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph by Cyrus Ansary. Their thoughtful analysis brings out the richness of the memoir—not just in terms of the author’s personal journey, but also the broader cultural and historical contexts explored throughout the book. By highlighting both the emotional and intellectual appeal of the story, the reviewer provides a well-rounded perspective that will surely help potential readers understand what makes this memoir special. Their observation about the clarity of the non-linear timeline and the engaging writing style is spot-on, and the suggestion regarding the placement of the photographs is both fair and constructive. This review is not only well-written but also a genuine reflection of the impact this book can have. Well done to the reviewer for such a meaningful and insightful critique.

[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

Cyrus's life is larger than the pages. I love an ambitious, resilient protagonist, and he fits like a tee! Can't wait to learn more about 20th century history through Cyrus's story!

[Moisés Alcántara Ayre]

i just love stories like this that describe adventurous journeys toward a dream--here a boy dreaming about leaving his motherland to live in America; the vivid descriptions of each chapter of his life are just a highlight throughout.

[Elise Sylcox]

By reading the review of "Odyssey of High Hopes" by Cyrus A. Ansari, I can tell that this is more than just a book. The subtitle being: A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph. We all have our struggles in life, but what the author writes about and what the reviewer can see is that occasionally some people endure more than others. I love how the author is almost single-minded in his purpose, or rather in fulfilling his dream of coming to America. While I haven't read this memoir, from what I have learned from the reviewer, I can tell that I would find this an interesting read. Great job!

[Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez]

Odyssey of High Hopes tells the story of Cyrus Anasary. From a young boy growing up in Iran to dreaming about the United States, this is a memoir about hard work, determination, and the dream we all share of having a better life. This is actually a book I've been wanting to read for a while. Hopefully, I will be able to do so soon.

[Magdalyne chebet]

"Odyssey of High Hopes" is a captivating memoir that traces Cyrus A. Ansary’s inspiring journey from Iran to America. I truly enjoyed reading it—it was rich in history, emotion, and wisdom. I’d gladly reread it again! Congrats on being BOTD!