Azar Nafisi is an Iranian author and professor, best known for her memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran. Born in 1964 in Tehran, she studied English literature and later taught at the University of Tehran. Nafisi's work often explores themes of freedom, identity, and the impact of political repression on personal lives. In 1997, Nafisi moved to the United States, where she continued her academic career. She has written several other books, including Things I've Been Silent About and The Republic of Imagination. Nafisi's writings reflect her experiences in Iran and her passion for literature as a means of resistance.