in huck finn and each of these great american novels, we have a democracy of voices were even the villain has a voice, you know, and it goes to understanding and not condemnation. so i think ideology and utilitarianism federally over america today is very dangerous to the health of our country. >> azar nafisi, how did reading lolita change your life? >> well, you know, it changed my life in the sense i would rather always doubt and question myself but i never thought that book would be successful and honest to god you should listen to my editors. i used to tell her this book is not going to sell more than 9000 copies. you know but the whole point about the success of that book, it made me understand that readers are not stupid, that you should not underestimate them and that they want to know how and the only thing it gave me, it gave me the opportunity to connect to people i wanted to be connected to but that is the most important thing and that his readers. so that is my take on reading libido. >> we've been talking with author azar nafisi, "the republic of imagination" is her most rece

but like huck finn deciding that it is better to go to hell but do the right thing. of thethe rest belong to the blackakes hats, you know? we don't even watch the news channel that disagrees with us. why the democracy is vital when you confront and challenge and accept that you should also be challenged. you should also be questioned. in huck finn come in each of these great american novels we have a democracy of voices where even the villain has a voice you know? and it goes understanding and not condemnation. i think ideology that is willing over america today is very dangerous to the health of our country. >> azar nafisi, how did reading lolita change your life? >> well, you know, it changed my life in the sense i rather always doubt and question myself. i never thought i would be successful and honest to god you should listen to let editors. i used to tell her this book is not going to sell more than 9000 copies, you know but the whole point about the success of that book is maybe understand the readers are not stupid that we should not underestimate them at that

in huck finn in each of these great american novels we have a democracy of voices where even the villain has a voice, you know? and it goes through understanding and not condemnation. so i think ideology and utilitarianism that is ruling over america today is very dangerous to health of our -- to the health of our country. >> how did reading "lolita" change your life? >> well, you know, it changed my life in the sense i always doubt and question myself. i never thought that book would be successful, and honest to god, you should listen to my editor. i used to tell her this book is not going to sell more than 9,000 copies. but the whole point about the success of that book, it made me understand that readers are not stupid, that you should not underestimate them and that they want to know, and the only thing it gave me it gave me the opportunity to connect to people i wanted to be connected to. and that is the most important thing. and that is readers. you know? so that is my take on -- [inaudible] >> this is booktv on c-span2 and we've been talking with author azar nafisi "the republic o