In her book "The Republic of Imagination," Azar Nafisi expresses a personal connection to her notion of a boundless, imaginative realm that serves as her ideal home. She contrasts this imaginative "Republic" with the indifference she feels toward places defined by borders and restrictions, which do not resonate with her sense of belonging. This place, where creativity thrives, is one she cherishes for its freedom and openness.

Nafisi describes this imaginative world as parallel to reality, influenced by literary greats like Nabokov and whimsical spaces like Alice's backyard. It requires no official recognition, only a willingness to explore and escape the ordinary. This belief underscores her inner conflict with conventional ideas of home, anchoring her pursuit of knowledge and creativity in a realm unconfined by societal norms.