"Riding is a story of horseback riding, but it is also a history of Caspian horses, an exploration of Iranian American identity in both the American Southwest and along the Iran-Turkey border, the author's own research on sex and politics, her relationship to her family, and, full circle, the joy of riding. Crossing fields and oceans, Pardis Mahdavi shows how complicated and rewarding riding can be, especially as it intersects with female and feminist identity, as well as both personal and global histories"--
In Riding, Pardis Mahdavi meditates on the lessons learned over a lifetime of horseback riding and the falling, failing, and joy it brings. At once a history of Caspian horses, an exploration of Mahdavis Iranian-American identity and family history, and a consideration of the capacity for self-reflection and self-compassion through human-animal relationships, Riding offers a roadmap for learning to live in harmony with the self and the environment around us. Mahdavi shows how her relationship with horses gives her insights into intergenerational strength and tools for healing intergenerational trauma. Riding from the mountains of Iran to the beaches of California, Mahdavi shares her love affair with horses, rediscovers a homeland she longs for, and ultimately finds her strength.
Riding from the mountains of Iran to the beaches of California, Pardis Mahdavi meditates on the lessons learned over a lifetime of horseback riding and the falling, failing, and joy it brings.
