Strange Times, My Dear: The PEN Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature

by Nahid Mozaffari (editor), Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak (Editor)

When Arcade Publishing originally contracted this extraordinary collection of poetry and literature, the Department of the Treasury was attempting to censor the publication of works from countries on America’s “enemies list.” Arcade, along with the PEN American Center, the Association of American Publishers Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division, and the Association of American University Presses, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the United States government. Their landmark case forced the Office of Foreign Assets Control to change their regulations regarding editing and publishing literature in translation, and Arcade is proud to reissue this anthology that showcases the developments in Iranian literature over the past quarter-century.   Since the Iranian revolution of 1979, the United States has been virtually cut off from that country’s culture. Despite severe difficulties imposed by social, political, and economic upheavals, as well as war, repression, and censorship, a veritable cultural renewal has taken place in Iran over the past quarter-century, not only in literature, but in music, art, and cinema. Over forty writers from three generations contributed to this rich and varied collection—or, to use the Persian term, golchine, a bouquet—one that provides a much-needed window into a largely undiscovered branch of world literature. In the wake of the Green Revolution and sweeping changes in the region, this particular golchine is more relevant than ever, and will bring literary enjoyment as well as a fuller understanding of a complex and ever-shifting culture. 

Genres: Iran, Short Stories, Fiction, Literature, Poetry, Middle East, Anthologies

504 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2005

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is as if a kind of iron curtain fell between Iran and the U.S. after the fall of the Shah in 1979. This collection of prose and poetry by Iranian writers lifts that curtain for a glimpse of that country's recent past through the eyes of many of its most creative writers.

For me, the most interesting selection was an excerpt from Ahmad Mahmud's novel "Scorched Earth," about ordinary citizens experiencing the invasion of Iraq in 1980. I also liked the excerpt from Esmail Fassih's novel "Sorraya in a Coma," which follows a traveler on an arduous journey by bus from Iran to Turkey. Reza Farrokhfal's "Ah, Istanbul" tells a sad story of an older writer, about to leave Iran, whose manuscript is considered unpublishable by a young editor's assistant. Goli Taraghi's "In Another Place" is a psychological study describing the coming apart of an ideal marriage. Farkhondeh Aghai's "A Little Secret" tells of a woman's long stay in a hospital ward, where a young man wounded in the war appeals to a young sweetheart on a nearby telephone.

Iranians abroad will surely find this collection more illuminating and rewarding than westerners simply because the references to daily life and Iranian culture and history often require explanatory footnotes that can't always explain enough. Literary styles take some getting used to, as well. For readers of western literature, these stories and excerpts will seem slow going and repetitive before they reach a conclusion that sometimes seems to lose something in the translation. But as many of these 43 writers have never been translated into English, this is an opportunity to experience a world that has been largely hidden from view. And that's reason enough to give it a read.

[Eschargot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between books I often read a few essays from 'Arguably - Essays by Christopher Hitchens'. In his 'Legacies of totalitarianism - The Persian Version' he mentions the collection of stories (or small samples of them) in 'Strange times, my dear: The PEN anthology of contemporary Iranian Lit.' and says, "Anyone wanting to sample the range and depth of the country's contemporary writing would do well to begin here."
It is a great sample of both prose and poetry. The title taken from the wonderful poem "In this blind alley" by Ahmed Shamlu. The writings and poems cover the tumultuous recent history of Iran from the overthrow of Mosaddegh, the reign of the Shah, the revolution and the aftermath. To quote Hitchens again - "that this fate should have befallen such a sophisticated and energetic people is a catastrophe piled upon a disaster."

In This Blind Alley -
They smell your breath
lest you have said: I love you,
They smell your heart:
These are strange times, my dear.

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I’m interested in the intersection of fiction and politics, I found the introductory essay by editor Nahid Mozaffari very illuminating, and I also appreciated the short biographies of each author included before the selection of his or her work. While I don’t generally enjoy book length collections of short stories by one author (it seems like a cop-out when they could have used the space to write a novel), I do find that I like collections of stories by a variety of authors. It’s a great way to look at an issue or area from a wider range of viewpoints, and also a good chance to discover new authors.

Strange Times, My Dear contains both short stories and poetry, and I found that I enjoyed the poetry especially as I considered how translation complicates understanding poems.

{Read my full review here}

[Julie Chaffee-mazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains samples of poetry and fiction from Iranian authors. Quite frankly, I had never given a thought to Iranian literature. I really enjoyed the range of these sample works. With some of the samples I read, I found myself drawn into their stories and wanted to read even more. I now have a list of Iranian authors whose works I truly desire to read. It is really sad that some authors are silenced by political, social, and economic embargoes based on their residency. I believe that literature and the arts should not be subjected to embargoes.
I highly recommend this book for those who like to explore the works of authors from other countries. I was so impressed with the quality of work seen in this work by a variety of authors. It opened a door for me, one I had not realized was even there.

[Yulia.i · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to see this book exists as an audiobook. I have not tried listening to something of a similar format before - but really thought a sampling of different Iranian fiction and poetry would be fantastic.

Some stories / excerpts were good, a lot I barely made it through. The narrator tried to vary his voice, but frankly by the end of the fiction section when I heard another dragged out and breathy "woman's voice" I literally couldn't take it and skipped that story entirely.
Poetry was pretty good / I wish that came first when I had enthusiasm.
Overall I think it is not great as an audiobook, also it is no substitute for one work of fiction - BUT I do hope to read more by the couple of authors that I did enjoy.

[Ramin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection. It's edited and translated well, with instructive introductions to each of the writers, giving historical background and putting them in their social and political context. Most of the book consists of short stories and excerpts from longer prose, and the rest consists of poetry, which is of course very important in Iranian culture. This is a very good selection of modern writers and poets, dating from the mid-20th century until the 2000s. They're diverse too, including people with different ethnicities, genders, politics, and including expats too.

[Glen Stott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories, excerpts from novels, and poetry by Iranian authors. It is a fairly long book, nearly 500 pages. I found many writers whom I enjoyed, but there was also a lot that left me unsatisfied. I think that was primarily because the Middle Eastern culture is unfamiliar to me, and therefore I didn’t actually understand the full depth of the writing. In addition, most of the works were translated and generally, something is lost in a translation. That being said, overall the book was worth the read and I learned some things.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable anthology of Iranian literature that provides, for the West, an insight into a culture and literary tradition that is both widely misunderstood/unknown and made delicate by the circumstances of the Revolution.

Here are prose and poetry from expatriates, those dedicated to literary traditions, and writers whose work proves very much that language, despite its myriad vernaculars, translates a shared human experience.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short stories are great - special favourite is "The Victory Chronicle of the Magi" by Hushang Golshiri, which uses a shifting narrator (we/they change meaning throughout the story) for great effect. "Hitchcock and Agha Baji" and "Satan's Stones" also stick out.

But, I'm afraid that most poetry seems to lose its vitality in translation.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of recent Iranian literature. One of my favorite bits is by Simin Behbahani:

It’s time now to mow the flowers
don’t procrastinate
Fetch the sickles, come
Don’t spare a single tulip in the fields.
The meadows are in bloom:
Who has ever seen such insolence?

[Mahbod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of rare but wonderful stories -

[Clarry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this with an online discussion group of alumni from my beloved alma mater

[Michael Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm maybe it was the translations, but I am still glad I bought this to support authors
in Iran who do not have freedom of speech

[Gargi Harithakam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book - serving as a window to a least known stream of literature. Some stories had my heart beating fast and some poems made it stop. Its a must have for a lover of literature.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful anthology. Compelling stories, very interesting.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 /5 average

As an anthology, this provides quite an array of depictions and styles. It captures writers from and with subject matter of different eras, ages, genders, and locations. As with many collections not all stories will resonate with a reader. As a project to give shape to the variety and concerns of Iranian authors, as an outsider, I believe it provides an adequate sample to introduce readers to particular authors and even genres they might want to later look into.

While each story is very much tied to a place and culture, that doesn't mean that many of the stories aren't universally relatable in some part. One of my favorites from this, "Hitchcock and Agha Baji" by Behnam Dayani is an emotional coming of age tale that reminded me in some regards of some of the early 20th century American authors tales of young boys coming to terms with life through mentors and their environment. Farkondeh Aghaei's "A Little Secret" is certain to speak to anyone whose concerned or having been a patient within a medical system that can be dismissive of the ill, of women, and those who may no longer be able bodied.

Others are striking depictions of conditions and beliefs that may shock some readers. A mix of the mystical and reality are featured in stories such as "Mahbubeh and the Demon Ahl". This harrowing tale is of a woman's life dictated by oppressive people and systems as well as the things she clings to to navigate her world. Likewise, the gut wrenching "Satan's Stones" centers a girl returning to a village and subjected to old customs that would be seen by many to be complete violations by other woman who believe earnestly it is for the good of all.

Some stories strike to show the stringent conditions on both sides of the 79' revolution. The silencing of those who displease the regime is never quite far off. In fact, "The White Stone" does quite a job for such a short installment that shows how some atrocities have both become spectacle, warning, and how many have numbed to it in public perhaps not in emotion but in that it isn't in the least surprising.

It isn't entirely doom and gloom. There are pieces of satire and moments that are rather amusing. One piece concerns and incredibly distracted general who's been called to serve a court. "Delayed Consequences of the Revolution" has a group of elderly gentlemen who seem both impossibly over the top, and also like a group you may know yourselves.

While much of the poetry didn't connect with me, I did come away with insight from it. Even in more direct prose, it was easier to see how much the poetic traditions of Persian culture have shaped the approach of many writers. How a way of describing, of picking up poignant details in what many would consider mundane, are carried over.

All in all, while only a couple stories really dug into me, I found this collection enlightening in its own ways. I also am very grateful for those excerpts and shorts that did capture my attention. It gives me a wonderful jumping point.

[Fatima Noronha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma boa introdução aos escritores iranianos do século XX. É um livro de contos em que muitos têm elementos de realismo mágico, outros de inverosimilhança e situações paradoxais, o que foi uma agradável descoberta. Como são contos de escritores e estilos muito distintos, alguns prenderam-me e cativaram-me mais do que outros. Por isso, a minha avaliação oscila desde o 2,5 e o 4,5. Segue o Meu Tio Napoleão (EN) de Iraj Pezeshkad, infelizmente não traduzido em PT

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book !
So many different narratives from so many authors that make up the diverse society of Iran.
This book for sure will be on my list of the top 10 books read during this year's book challenge.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I abandoned it about halfway through. I just found that I wasn't really enjoying any of the stories.

[Cybercrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories were interesting, but the mountains of information given beforehand on the literary culture and its many major players pretty much buried me before I even got started.

[Javad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like to read this book as soon as possible.