A gripping memoir traces Fereshteh’s life from childhood in 1955 Iran—when a distant village massacre and simmering threats from her own uncle first shattered her innocence—to her transformation into a physician striving to heal in the face of relentless persecution. As the 1979 Revolution erupts, the family’s flight from Shiraz to Tehran underscores the tumult of a society in upheaval, where old secrets and new dangers collide.

Navigating the complexities of domestic violence, state-sanctioned human-rights abuses and the systematic subjugation of women, Fereshteh confronts moral crises that push her beyond the confines of her profession. Each choice she makes—whether in operating rooms or hidden shelters—carries the weight of personal conviction and the urgent demand for justice amid political repression.

By following her journey through decades marked by secret tragedies and public uprisings, one gains insight into resilience born of adversity, the interplay of personal trauma and national history, and the courage required to challenge powerful forces. These reflections illuminate the transformative power of conscience in shaping both individual destiny and collective change.