When one gets caught between opposing views and one is confused about choosing sides, its very difficult.
In this book, Peri in particular is caught between the the conflicting views of her parents.
The discussions and the arguments during and after her student life are captivating. I think Peri becomes an agnostic.During all the  debates I could empathise with Peri as she was caught between the turmoil at home and arguements between her friends Shirin and Mona. I found the professor to be a very strong character who doesn't get perturbed in any situation.
Peri as a mom, her talk with her teenage daughter, her fight with a robber/rapist, her getting bored at hoity-toity party, her wanting to talk politics or the current issues rather than gossip like other ladies makes her a lady with a mind of her own.
The narrative runs back and forth between her past and present.
Shirin, Mona and Peri are the three girls; also called the sinner, the believer and the confused; who are students of the Philosophy professor Azur. The three of them have different views about religion and God.