In her memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi emphasizes the unique power of literature. She argues that the essence of a literary work should not be diluted by attempts to make it mimic real-life situations. Instead, she believes that fiction has its own realm that allows for deeper exploration of truths that might otherwise remain unexamined in everyday life.

Nafisi's perspective highlights the importance of preserving the integrity of literature. By insisting that we appreciate books for their artistic qualities rather than trying to reduce them to mere reflections of reality, she encourages readers to engage with literature in a more profound and meaningful way. This approach allows literature to challenge, provoke, and inspire in ways that reality cannot.