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Prophetess
An unflinching allegorical novel that explores trauma, women’s rights, and religious tradition. In the slums of Tehran, seven-year-old Sara witnesses the horrific murder of her sister Setayesh, an event that leaves her in shock and unable to speak. As the neighborhood frantically searches for the missing girl, Sara is locked inside herself, unable to tell her parents or police all she knows. Over time, the mute Sara develops a strange allergic reaction, in which hair covers her face every time a man approaches her. One day in school, when an imam gets too close, she faints. After Sara reawakens, classmates show her video of her speaking freely and eloquently while unconscious… in Polish. These are only the first of many unexpected developments in Sara’s life, as she grapples with how to live with her sister’s memory in a world that abuses women from a very early age. Prophetess is a fearless novel of gripping and surreal turns that push the limits of the imagination in their collision of tradition and nonconformity. Baharan Baniahmadi has crafted a wild, allegorical interrogation of trauma, women’s rights, and religious tradition.
180 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 20, 2023
Whoa. What a strange little gem. One of the most unique books I’ve come across in a really long time. This went to some far-out places. I get the feeling I’ll still be thinking about this one by the end of the year. Thought-provoking and a conversation-starter.
December 8, 2022
Such a beautiful novel about women’s rights, trauma, and religion. I love when we get to see main characters grow up from childhood to young adulthood.
This book has a lot to say in a magical realism setting, and deserves to be read. I won’t stop thinking about this book for a long time.
This book has a lot to say in a magical realism setting, and deserves to be read. I won’t stop thinking about this book for a long time.
November 2, 2022
"There's a scary side to being who we are."
The latest release for Vehicule Press from Montreal is a most pressingly important read with the state of current affairs in Iran. The timing for the release of Prophetess could not be any more ideal. For many (and probably) all females living in Iran, the uprising of revolution represents the greatest hope of freedom, autonomy and agency they have seen in a long time. Living (if you can call it that) under such extreme patriarchial and religious pressures has finally led to this breaking point that these courageous (no that's not even a strong enough word) superheroes are taking their truths and marching towards a new better way of life for them and the coming generations.
"We get closer to death from the day we are born, and every day along the way, we must be willing to destroy something to move forward."
Prophetess is a fierce and surreal story about seven-year-old Sara who witnesses the murder of her sister in the slums of Tehran. It leaves her in shock and after going mute, she also develops an allergic reaction which covers her face in hair whenever a man approaches her. Questioning trauma, women's rights and Muslim tradition, Sara is faced with many surreal and unexpected moments that lead her to become a symbol of her sister's memory in unsuspecting and powerful ways.
"The universe undoubtedly, is an image of what we create collectively, with the power of belief. Maybe, when someone dies, there has been a collective decision made regarding the disappearance of their physical image on Earth. Maybe it is because of collective imaginations that I've been in such misery and haven't been able to speak, only make a few sounds and signs, despite my teachers' hard work. Maybe in order to speak again, I need to change a collective belief about myself. Maybe! Or maybe I am better off alone. Everything has an opposite. For the lonely person nobody is willing to hold, God has arms. I choose for God to become my everything, so that the world I live in is never without an embrace."
Reading Prophetess was eye-opening and magical at the same time. Baharan Baniahmadi is a voice more people need to hear, both as an activist and as a writer. Her maverick spirit and debut are poignantly absorbing and begging for a larger audience. Well crafted and allegorical, Prophetess is a definite must read for 2022.
"I am a disgrace to all my followers and all the propaganda they want. The guilt has found its way back to me again. Nothing is the way it should be. Everything has gone wrong. No one should ever control people or silence them. I, who have lived one hundred and fourteen years and observed war after war, am now an entertainer for people who are drawn to trivial things. All superstars who become famous have a job, each in their own unique way, to distract people so that their rulers can dictate in peace."
"This is just like the day of resurrection for the people who have come here with their children. They've come here to prosecute their own dark sides—the disgusting side they all try to run away from their whole lives, even though it keeps chasing them like a shadow. I who am one hundred and fourteen knows that there's no such thing as a decent human being. Human beings live always in ignorance and are destined to make peace with the dark side they've inherited from their ancestors."
"I now see how the world is a strange place. We're left here to get as much attention as we want, for some to become stronger and others to become weaker. To start thousands of games to gain attention. To hit and be hit. And then there's death. In death, everything is neutral. Not meaningless, but without preference. In death, there is no hitting or being hit, no questions and no answers. It's like there's a wall between the two worlds: one cries and can't hear the other one speaking."
The latest release for Vehicule Press from Montreal is a most pressingly important read with the state of current affairs in Iran. The timing for the release of Prophetess could not be any more ideal. For many (and probably) all females living in Iran, the uprising of revolution represents the greatest hope of freedom, autonomy and agency they have seen in a long time. Living (if you can call it that) under such extreme patriarchial and religious pressures has finally led to this breaking point that these courageous (no that's not even a strong enough word) superheroes are taking their truths and marching towards a new better way of life for them and the coming generations.
"We get closer to death from the day we are born, and every day along the way, we must be willing to destroy something to move forward."
Prophetess is a fierce and surreal story about seven-year-old Sara who witnesses the murder of her sister in the slums of Tehran. It leaves her in shock and after going mute, she also develops an allergic reaction which covers her face in hair whenever a man approaches her. Questioning trauma, women's rights and Muslim tradition, Sara is faced with many surreal and unexpected moments that lead her to become a symbol of her sister's memory in unsuspecting and powerful ways.
"The universe undoubtedly, is an image of what we create collectively, with the power of belief. Maybe, when someone dies, there has been a collective decision made regarding the disappearance of their physical image on Earth. Maybe it is because of collective imaginations that I've been in such misery and haven't been able to speak, only make a few sounds and signs, despite my teachers' hard work. Maybe in order to speak again, I need to change a collective belief about myself. Maybe! Or maybe I am better off alone. Everything has an opposite. For the lonely person nobody is willing to hold, God has arms. I choose for God to become my everything, so that the world I live in is never without an embrace."
Reading Prophetess was eye-opening and magical at the same time. Baharan Baniahmadi is a voice more people need to hear, both as an activist and as a writer. Her maverick spirit and debut are poignantly absorbing and begging for a larger audience. Well crafted and allegorical, Prophetess is a definite must read for 2022.
"I am a disgrace to all my followers and all the propaganda they want. The guilt has found its way back to me again. Nothing is the way it should be. Everything has gone wrong. No one should ever control people or silence them. I, who have lived one hundred and fourteen years and observed war after war, am now an entertainer for people who are drawn to trivial things. All superstars who become famous have a job, each in their own unique way, to distract people so that their rulers can dictate in peace."
"This is just like the day of resurrection for the people who have come here with their children. They've come here to prosecute their own dark sides—the disgusting side they all try to run away from their whole lives, even though it keeps chasing them like a shadow. I who am one hundred and fourteen knows that there's no such thing as a decent human being. Human beings live always in ignorance and are destined to make peace with the dark side they've inherited from their ancestors."
"I now see how the world is a strange place. We're left here to get as much attention as we want, for some to become stronger and others to become weaker. To start thousands of games to gain attention. To hit and be hit. And then there's death. In death, everything is neutral. Not meaningless, but without preference. In death, there is no hitting or being hit, no questions and no answers. It's like there's a wall between the two worlds: one cries and can't hear the other one speaking."
December 9, 2022
Prophetess, by Baharan Baniahmadi is an utterly stunning and thought-provoking novel that follows the story of seven-year-old Sara—a girl haunted by the memory of her murdered sister—on a journey of startling revelations and discovery.
The story takes place in the bustling slums of Tehran, where Sara witnesses her beloved Setayesh’s death. We meet Sara as a mute; she is unable to tell anyone what she knows about the murder due to shock. Yet as time passes, we watch Sara evolve through a strange allergic reaction that causes her to break out in hair every time she comes into contact with a man. Her classmates eventually capture video of her speaking Polish during one such episode, leading us on a riveting journey with Sara as she searches for the truth about herself and her family history.
Baniahmadi’s writing is beautiful and lyrical; from the intimate descriptions of life in Tehran to the gripping suspense when reader’s learn more about Sara’s true identity. The prose is visceral and raw, creating an immersive experience for readers that transports them directly into this tumultuous world. Prophetess also boasts sophisticated characters who are full of life and personality, making it easy for readers to become invested in their struggles and triumphs.
What makes Prophetess truly remarkable however, is its exploration of themes such as identity and resilience amidst oppression and in the age of social media. Baniahmadi expertly captures both the beauty and tragedy that can come from living under suppression while giving us hope through characters like Sara who fight against these systems despite their darkness.
Overall, Prophetess is a masterful work of literature that any reader would be fortunate enough to experience. It’s an emotionally resonant tale full of memorable characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading it — a truly inspiring book for anyone who loves great storytelling!
The story takes place in the bustling slums of Tehran, where Sara witnesses her beloved Setayesh’s death. We meet Sara as a mute; she is unable to tell anyone what she knows about the murder due to shock. Yet as time passes, we watch Sara evolve through a strange allergic reaction that causes her to break out in hair every time she comes into contact with a man. Her classmates eventually capture video of her speaking Polish during one such episode, leading us on a riveting journey with Sara as she searches for the truth about herself and her family history.
Baniahmadi’s writing is beautiful and lyrical; from the intimate descriptions of life in Tehran to the gripping suspense when reader’s learn more about Sara’s true identity. The prose is visceral and raw, creating an immersive experience for readers that transports them directly into this tumultuous world. Prophetess also boasts sophisticated characters who are full of life and personality, making it easy for readers to become invested in their struggles and triumphs.
What makes Prophetess truly remarkable however, is its exploration of themes such as identity and resilience amidst oppression and in the age of social media. Baniahmadi expertly captures both the beauty and tragedy that can come from living under suppression while giving us hope through characters like Sara who fight against these systems despite their darkness.
Overall, Prophetess is a masterful work of literature that any reader would be fortunate enough to experience. It’s an emotionally resonant tale full of memorable characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading it — a truly inspiring book for anyone who loves great storytelling!
July 18, 2022
What a little dusty cracked distorted raw gem of a book.
December 1, 2022
Breathtaking! Review to come!
April 10, 2023
In Tehran, Iran, little Sara is traumatized by witnessing the brutal assault and murder of her 9 year-old sister by a man she knows. She is left mute by the experience, unable to communicate her terror and grief. She then develops a strange reaction to the trauma, by sprouting a beard every time she is forced to be around a man she doesn't know. Over time, Sara leaves Iran and becomes a great spiritual leader known as the Prophetess, where she then experiences further oppression and manipulation by social media.
This is a strange and thought-provoking little novel - a work of magical realism which skillfully depicts the impact of state, social and religious-sanctioned oppression and violence towards women. Sara is all women, angry at having to cover themselves, lower their voices, defer to men and be invisible.
As the Prophetess, a journalist asks her with what gender she identifies. "All the women in me, who have come a long way, laugh at this. They say being a woman is absolute misery, and those who are born even a little bit male should hold on to that privilege. This is the outcome of thousands of years of what men have done to us...but I am a woman. Not just one, but millions."
This book couldn't be more timely or relevant than right now. I hope that many people will read it and that it sparks an important conversation, not just for women but for all of us. Much gratitude to Vehicule Press for sending this gem to me, and to Dimitri Nasrallah for recommending it in his Giller Prize interview.
This is a strange and thought-provoking little novel - a work of magical realism which skillfully depicts the impact of state, social and religious-sanctioned oppression and violence towards women. Sara is all women, angry at having to cover themselves, lower their voices, defer to men and be invisible.
As the Prophetess, a journalist asks her with what gender she identifies. "All the women in me, who have come a long way, laugh at this. They say being a woman is absolute misery, and those who are born even a little bit male should hold on to that privilege. This is the outcome of thousands of years of what men have done to us...but I am a woman. Not just one, but millions."
This book couldn't be more timely or relevant than right now. I hope that many people will read it and that it sparks an important conversation, not just for women but for all of us. Much gratitude to Vehicule Press for sending this gem to me, and to Dimitri Nasrallah for recommending it in his Giller Prize interview.
December 13, 2023
Dense, direct, fast paced, where every idea could lend itself to extensive analysis. What I wish I had read in school as an intro to philosophy & existentialism
July 12, 2023
Prophetess" completely captivated me. It is a heart-wrenching, raw, and an undeniably compelling novel that had me hooked from the very first pages. It was difficult to put down.
At the core of the narrative is Sara, whom we meet as a seven-year-old girl growing up in Tehran. Following a traumatizing event, we witness Sara's struggle to cope with its profound effects as she matures into adulthood. Baniahmadi masterfully weaves elements of surrealism into the fabric of present-day realities, resulting in a fresh and intricately layered writing style that is simply enthralling. Immersed in this novel, I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, because of the storyline and explored themes of trauma, women's rights, and religion etc. They lingered in my thoughts long after I turned the final page. "Prophetess" is undoubtedly a thought-provoking masterpiece.
At the core of the narrative is Sara, whom we meet as a seven-year-old girl growing up in Tehran. Following a traumatizing event, we witness Sara's struggle to cope with its profound effects as she matures into adulthood. Baniahmadi masterfully weaves elements of surrealism into the fabric of present-day realities, resulting in a fresh and intricately layered writing style that is simply enthralling. Immersed in this novel, I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, because of the storyline and explored themes of trauma, women's rights, and religion etc. They lingered in my thoughts long after I turned the final page. "Prophetess" is undoubtedly a thought-provoking masterpiece.
February 18, 2024
3.5/5
I’ve seen other reviewers describe Prophetess by Bah Aran Baniahmadi as quirky. I’m going to select different adjectives and call this novel pointed and original. Everything about it is sharp and direct and rarely predictable. The narrative offers a unique fictional exploration of trauma, oppression, religious fervor, purpose and meaning all packed into less than 200 pages. I liked it immensely for making me feel and think.
Prophetess takes place in Iran, and later Canada, and centers on Sara who, as a 7-year-old, must suffer the murder of her older sister Setayesh. The trauma renders her mute - except for periods of unconsciousness when she speaks fluently in Polish - and causes facial hair to spontaneously erupt when in the presence of a male. She turns to Islam, immerses herself in the teachings, and uses it to prop her as she tries to cope. From her strict religious adherence and her ability to slide between genders, Sara finds her voice and begins counseling others until she finds herself in danger and must flee.
The author confronts the perpetual victimhood of women and societies that uphold the imbalance of power. She deftly probes grief, recognizing it not as just sadness but also rage and a desire to control. I loved the use of the pickling juice as a metaphor for the acid that corrupts the storage vessel from within. I also loved the ambiguity of Sara’s devout faith - whether it saves or creates a false front of salvation that postpones her reckoning with her past. I admit I found the momentum stalled once Sara enters her social media phase, but I appreciate the modern context for prophesy.
I’m growing more and more convinced after reading this that smaller publishers are offering little gems that I need more of. That the world needs to read more of.
I’ve seen other reviewers describe Prophetess by Bah Aran Baniahmadi as quirky. I’m going to select different adjectives and call this novel pointed and original. Everything about it is sharp and direct and rarely predictable. The narrative offers a unique fictional exploration of trauma, oppression, religious fervor, purpose and meaning all packed into less than 200 pages. I liked it immensely for making me feel and think.
Prophetess takes place in Iran, and later Canada, and centers on Sara who, as a 7-year-old, must suffer the murder of her older sister Setayesh. The trauma renders her mute - except for periods of unconsciousness when she speaks fluently in Polish - and causes facial hair to spontaneously erupt when in the presence of a male. She turns to Islam, immerses herself in the teachings, and uses it to prop her as she tries to cope. From her strict religious adherence and her ability to slide between genders, Sara finds her voice and begins counseling others until she finds herself in danger and must flee.
The author confronts the perpetual victimhood of women and societies that uphold the imbalance of power. She deftly probes grief, recognizing it not as just sadness but also rage and a desire to control. I loved the use of the pickling juice as a metaphor for the acid that corrupts the storage vessel from within. I also loved the ambiguity of Sara’s devout faith - whether it saves or creates a false front of salvation that postpones her reckoning with her past. I admit I found the momentum stalled once Sara enters her social media phase, but I appreciate the modern context for prophesy.
I’m growing more and more convinced after reading this that smaller publishers are offering little gems that I need more of. That the world needs to read more of.
April 3, 2024
This powerful book offers a thought-provoking journey into themes of trauma, women's rights, and religious tradition. Through its gripping narrative and surreal twists, Prophetess challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about gender and power. Baharan Baniahmadi's exploration of resilience and societal norms is both fearless and compelling, making it a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of human experience.
February 17, 2025
This book was nothing like what I thought it would be. It is strange and violent at times, but still an oddly beautiful little novel about women’s rights, trauma, and religion. The bluntness of the writing is refreshing though it does deal with some dark and heavy topics, so checking trigger warnings is advised.
March 8, 2023
A quirky debut novel about how haphazardly tenuous your security and sense of identity are as a (poor) female in Iran. Even after her ostensible escape (to Canada), Sara's psyche continues to be controlled by external forces, given the wonders of social media.
June 3, 2024
Beautifully written- I couldn’t put it down. Read it in one sitting (not surprised by this as the bookseller who recommended it to me said she had read it in one sitting). Deffs one of the most unique books I’ve read this year and will probs be digesting it for the rest of the week.
July 28, 2022
Different than anything else and original.
January 21, 2023
I have read this book 2 times! So far. I find it extraordinary, I wish we can see a movie based on this story soon, that would be wonderful!
Good luck Bahoran Baniahmadi
Good luck Bahoran Baniahmadi
July 8, 2023
This book was a true masterpiece.
June 15, 2022
"All superstars who become famous have a job, each in their own unique way, to distract people so that their rulers can dictate in peace."
April 22, 2025
Dark, haunting, and thought provoking. The way trauma is explored in this book is something that will stick with you.
May 25, 2023
This is the kind of book that has the potential to become a classic.
"Prophetess" by Baharan Baniahmadi is an intense and riveting read that kept me hooked from the very first sentence and only broke my heart into more pieces as I read on.
Given the current state of Iran, the time of release of this debut novel could not be more perfect.
In this book, we follow the seven year old Sara from girlhood to womanhood as she processes the trauma of witnessing the murder of her beloved older sister, Setayesh. Along the way, many weird and almost fantastical things happen to her as she discovers her life's mission and becomes a voice for those who do not have one.
From women’s rights, to humans rights, to religion and spirituality, to activism in the era of social media, this book explores a variety of thought-provoking topics that are urgently asking the reader to pay attention to. It took me a couple of days just to process what I read.
For a book of this size, the pace was incredibly fast, and its contents were, impressively, able to keep up as the book is dense with conversation-starters reflections and will undeniably make you feel deeply for its characters. The writing of this book was more than perfect and the way this story was crafted is simply genius.
Baharan Baniahmadi's voice deserves a much larger audience and I truly hope more people will read this book.
An unforgettable book I think everyone should read!
Thank you Vehicule Press for gifting me this treasure in exchange for an honest review.
"Prophetess" by Baharan Baniahmadi is an intense and riveting read that kept me hooked from the very first sentence and only broke my heart into more pieces as I read on.
Given the current state of Iran, the time of release of this debut novel could not be more perfect.
In this book, we follow the seven year old Sara from girlhood to womanhood as she processes the trauma of witnessing the murder of her beloved older sister, Setayesh. Along the way, many weird and almost fantastical things happen to her as she discovers her life's mission and becomes a voice for those who do not have one.
From women’s rights, to humans rights, to religion and spirituality, to activism in the era of social media, this book explores a variety of thought-provoking topics that are urgently asking the reader to pay attention to. It took me a couple of days just to process what I read.
For a book of this size, the pace was incredibly fast, and its contents were, impressively, able to keep up as the book is dense with conversation-starters reflections and will undeniably make you feel deeply for its characters. The writing of this book was more than perfect and the way this story was crafted is simply genius.
Baharan Baniahmadi's voice deserves a much larger audience and I truly hope more people will read this book.
An unforgettable book I think everyone should read!
Thank you Vehicule Press for gifting me this treasure in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2024
It was hard to give this book only 3 stars. I really liked the idea of it, and there are some very good writing in parts of the book, especially at the beginning. But at the end it didn't quite work for me.
Some of the allegorical elements are a bit too bare and there isn't much depth to the characters. I imagine also some of the symbolism would be hard to decipher for readers who are not already familiar with them: do you know, for example, the significance of the number 114 that appears in several ways in the story? This is of course a core challenge in cross-cultural literature that few writers (Rushdie comes to mind) have mastered.
But more importantly, the ding for me came from the rather abrupt changes in the tone of the story in several parts of the book. For this style of writing (is it still called magic realism?) what's more important than elements of the story is how they join together to create a whole. As a reader, the experience is like listening to a modern symphony: much more important than notes and phrases, it's the whole melodic tone that it creates. Ms. Baniahmadi's writing evokes Haruki Murakami's to some extent, but somehow lacks the overall consistency of the latter's tonal achievement.
It's still a worthy read, if not entirely for its literary accomplishments, but certainly for its bold undertaking of current and deep social and political issues.
Some of the allegorical elements are a bit too bare and there isn't much depth to the characters. I imagine also some of the symbolism would be hard to decipher for readers who are not already familiar with them: do you know, for example, the significance of the number 114 that appears in several ways in the story? This is of course a core challenge in cross-cultural literature that few writers (Rushdie comes to mind) have mastered.
But more importantly, the ding for me came from the rather abrupt changes in the tone of the story in several parts of the book. For this style of writing (is it still called magic realism?) what's more important than elements of the story is how they join together to create a whole. As a reader, the experience is like listening to a modern symphony: much more important than notes and phrases, it's the whole melodic tone that it creates. Ms. Baniahmadi's writing evokes Haruki Murakami's to some extent, but somehow lacks the overall consistency of the latter's tonal achievement.
It's still a worthy read, if not entirely for its literary accomplishments, but certainly for its bold undertaking of current and deep social and political issues.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews