Savushun: A Novel About Modern Iran

Persian Classics

De: Simin Daneshvar, Brian Spooner - introduction, M.R. Ghanoonparvar - translator

Narrado por: Mary Sarah Agliotta, Brian Spooner

Savushun chronicles the life of a Persian family during the Allied occupation of Iran during World War II. It is set in Shiraz, a town which evokes images of Persepolis and pre-Islamic monuments, the great poets, the shrines, Sufis, and nomadic tribes within a historical web of the interests, privilege, and influence of foreign powers; corruption, incompetence, and arrogance of persons in authority; the paternalistic landowner-peasant relationship; tribalism; and the fear of famine. The story is seen through the eyes of Zari, a young wife and mother, who copes with her idealistic and uncompromising husband while struggling with her desire for traditional family life and her need for individual identity.

Daneshvar's style is both sensitive and imaginative, while following cultural themes and metaphors. Within basic Iranian paradigms, the characters play out the roles inherent in their personalities. While Savushun is a unique piece of literature that transcends the boundaries of the historical community in which it was written, it is also the best single work for understanding modern Iran. Although written prior to the Islamic Revolution, it brilliantly portrays the social and historical forces that gave pre-revolutionary Iran its characteristic hopelessness and emerging desperation so inadequately understood by outsiders.

©1990, 2013 Mage Publishers (P)2014 Mage Publishers

nostalgic

there are very rare persian classics as powerful as this book. Savushun makes my heart ache and gives me a deep nostalgia that has been deeply rooted in me. something about childhood something about hardship of life then and now. the performance was so heartwarming, amazing work , she really tried to perfect the pronunciation of Farsi words. enjoyed every minute of this book .

A masterpiece of Iranian Literature

This story happens a century ago but it reads as if it is describing the events of today as the tyrants are still murdering the innocent People who try to save their country from falling further down into the abyss of misery that the mullahs have created in Iran.
A must read for anyone who cares about liberty and humanity.

What the heck?

The parody southern antebellum accent that the narrator has is absolutely ridiculous and extremely off-putting. Could not continue listening.