National Network for Equitable Library Service

The Daughter Who Walked Away describes the tribulations of three generations of Iranian women. In 1919, a woman who can no longer afford to raise her nine-year-old niece, Batoul, marries the girl to the young son of a Shirazi family. Ashamed and traumatized, yet resourceful and resolute, Batoul rears her children to expect hardships and to endure them discreetly. Despite her best intentions, she plants the seeds of dysfunction. In 1967, Batoul's youngest, Mojegan, pursues a nursing career in Tehran. While intelligent and ambitious, Mojegan is naïve about intimate relationships. She marries the charming and devoted Reza before she realizes that he is an alcoholic and prone to impulsivity, such as their impromptu move to Canada. Loyal and proud, Mojegan denies Reza's alcoholism, even to their children. She perseveres though she resents Reza progressively. When Reza abruptly kicks out Taraneh, their teenaged daughter, Mojegan supports his decision and dismisses Taraneh's pleas. In 2003, Taraneh doubts her childhood memories and considers reconnecting with her parents. The idea triggers suicidal feelings. When Taraneh's young son returns from his annual visit to his grandparents', he complains about their inattentiveness. Taraneh is reminded of the abuse inflicted by her alcoholic father and her incredulous mother. Unwilling to jeopardize her mental health further, Taraneh chooses to remain estranged.