The Story

This book picks up where Volume 1 left off, with Isabella Bird deep in her year-long journey. She travels from Isfahan towards the Turkish border, crossing some of the most remote and lawless areas of the Qajar Persian Empire. The 'plot' is her daily struggle to move forward. She deals with corrupt officials, negotiates for guides, and relies on the often-grudging hospitality of tribal leaders. The landscape is a character itself—harsh mountains, deserts, and mud-walled villages. The journey is physically brutal, but the constant social and political maneuvering is what keeps the pages turning.

Why You Should Read It

Bird’s voice is what makes this special. She’s sharp, funny, and utterly fearless. She gets frustrated by fleas and marvels at a starry sky with equal passion. You feel the weight of her isolation, but also her intense curiosity about everyone she meets, from Armenian priests to Kurdish chiefs. She doesn’t romanticize; she reports the dirt, the beauty, and the danger with clear eyes. Reading this is like having the toughest, most interesting grandmother imaginable telling you her wildest story.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves real-life adventure stories or immersive travel writing. If you enjoyed Cheryl Strayed’s Wild but wish it has more political intrigue and fewer modern comforts, this is your book. It’s also a gift for history lovers, offering a ground-level view of a region on the brink of massive change. Just be prepared—you’ll start looking at your own minor inconveniences very differently.