"The three sisters prepare such sumptuous food in its Café Babylon that one increases in size during the reading of this beautiful book. If one taste’s the mad   Middle Eastern receipt’s from Baklava to Abgusht, Is there any way that this book may cause weight problems." - U Magazine

"A delicious read! From the enticing hors d'oeuvre to the fantastically sinful desserts, that is the debut novel of Marsha Mehran. In the tradition of the stories from 1001 Nights, the Iranian Marsha Mehran, living in the exile, writes with rich language, transporting one to a land of exotic smells and ornamentation. It leaves your mouth watery for more." - Applause

In funny, spicy lang(18 March 2005)uage, Marsha Mehran draws the Irish-Persian contradictoriness... The authoress creates a magical, sensual and cheerful world. - Buecherpick (18 March 2005)

"This is a seductively beautiful novel and the young Persian Authoress succeeds in a warm hearted, humorous and beautiful Homage to the love and the joy of the meal."- Aviva

Unanimous judgement: "Written extremelly beautifully" - Report

The New Revue praises the "Charmful debut novel" in (20.4.05) issue.

An Irish-Persian version of "Chocolat". A poetic instruction for dreaming. - Für Sie

A beautiful novel about friendship, love and the magic power of a delicious meal! - Mach Mal Pause

A charming novel. Well-written, warm-hearted humour with a fine sense for both the Persian and Celtic cultures. - Wochenblatt

'Reminiscent of Chocolat, but in Ireland. The author uses her own experience. She fled the country with her parents and ended up in Buenos Aires' - ESTA

'A magical novel, including recipes, about food, survival en love' - FLAIR (Belgium)

'A tasty book about love, food and the mix of cultures. Bon appetit!' - LIBELLE (Belgium)

'The recipes are in the back of the book, which is a good thing, because the smell of cardamom, cinnamon and fresh lime teases more than once your mental taste buds' - ELLE (Belgium)

'A book that overflows with smells and colours!' - MARGRIET

'Café Babylon is full of mouth-watering recipes. This wonderful, sensual novel deserves a spot between Chocolat and Like Water for Chocolate, both in terms of subject and quality'. With an attractive magical-realistic touch to it' - HAPPINEZ

'A little like Chocolat, with a nice detail: the recipes in the last chapter' - COSMOPOLITAN

'One really smells the spices while reading!' - NBD- KABELKRANT VIANEN

'A novel in which in a pleasant tone two cultures come together, with a sense of humour, love, and a lot of food. A must-read' - KABELKRANT VIANEN

"Fun at Marsha Mehran’s the Persian Café. This tasty and fairytale novel is an exciting contribution for the social meaning of the cooking art. Pure quality." - P.S. Magazine (Swiss)

‘You can’t help but to enjoy reading this book’ – Good Reading

‘With its emphasis on food, flavours and fragrances, Pomegranate Soup withstands the danger of being labeled a “girlie” novel. This story of east meets west, where hope and humour wins, is a feel-good read” – Canberra Times

‘Gentle and at times magical’ – Manly Daily

‘A contagiously captivating read’ – Herald Sun

‘Don’t read it on an empty stomach’ – Fresh Living

‘What a sumptuous book. Its flyleaf cover, lightly gilded and beautifully designed, is a hint to the treasures contained within – a deeply sensual and mysterious story, so artfully written that the scents of cinnamon and rosewater seem almost to rise from the prose’ – Adelaide Advertiser

‘This stunning novel by a gifted writer takes your heart on a ride that is deeply moving and one you will remember for a long time’ – Daily Advertiser

‘Mehran’s debut novel is exceptionally well-written’ – The Sydney Morning Herald

‘The colourful language and compelling story make for an enjoyable read. Packed with flavour’ – NW

‘Tehran-born Mehran has cooked up a delectable concoction, full of quirky characters and infectious optimism. It’s a deliciously feel-good yarn’ – Sunday Herald Sun

‘A thoroughly readable novel’ – Sunday Tasmanian

‘A tale to savour’ – Canberra Times