In this story by Dina Nayeri a willful, “middle-aged” Iranian-American woman whose life has fallen apart in the United States joins the Peace Corps and is posted to a small village in Northern Thailand. After exploring some of her experiences settling in, the story moves to a visit by her estranged daughter. The mother is a shameless liar and had even lied about the accommodation they would be sharing… a steamy hut with a squat toilet! Needless to say, the visit doesn’t last long. Themes include community life, culture clash, isolation, social conventions, mother-daughter relationships, identity, truthfulness, resistance, perseverance.
The heart of the story lies in the mother’s desperate attempts to reconnect with her daughter and be believed, especially about her lost medical qualifications from Iran. She knows the root of her lying (an Iranian social convention for the convenience or pleasure of others) and the damage it does, but seemingly can’t help herself.
A Ride Out of Phrao Text / PDF (8,250 words)