This was an absolutely amazing book that had lots of imagery and foreshadowing. I enjoyed reading this book very much, learning about the secret life of the protagonist.
Book Description
The story is narrated by a young man, a painter of miniatures, whose name is never given. He feels an overbearing need to recount an experience he went through that has shattered his whole existence. A beautiful woman, an old man and a cypress tree are the recurring motifs.
My Review
Known as the modern Persian Classic, this book is a nightmare from the beginning to the end and is not for the emotional unstable. It is a hallucinogenic trip triggered by opium use and a serious mental condition of the narrator. It was banned in Iran because it had been known to make its readers suicidal. The author committed suicide at age 48 by gassing himself to death. My 4 star rating is not because I enjoyed the book but because of the experience evoked while reading this book. It is filled with metaphor, symbolism and very beautiful prose. The author wanted the book to be the experience and not a book about an experience. It is just that - a book that takes you to the narrator's decomposed soul and the darkness of his heart. If you like the works of Edgar Allen Poe then I would recommend this book for you.
The story is narrated by a young man, a painter of miniatures, whose name is never given. He feels an overbearing need to recount an experience he went through that has shattered his whole existence. A beautiful woman, an old man and a cypress tree are the recurring motifs.
My Review
Known as the modern Persian Classic, this book is a nightmare from the beginning to the end and is not for the emotional unstable. It is a hallucinogenic trip triggered by opium use and a serious mental condition of the narrator. It was banned in Iran because it had been known to make its readers suicidal. The author committed suicide at age 48 by gassing himself to death. My 4 star rating is not because I enjoyed the book but because of the experience evoked while reading this book. It is filled with metaphor, symbolism and very beautiful prose. The author wanted the book to be the experience and not a book about an experience. It is just that - a book that takes you to the narrator's decomposed soul and the darkness of his heart. If you like the works of Edgar Allen Poe then I would recommend this book for you.
I know people that say this is the best book they have ever read and it is life changing. I was not one of those people. I found the first half to be a bit tedious. It was not until the very end that I bagan to connect with the storey. I felt as though I was reading a jouranl written to capture the details of a recouring dream. I have been told I need to read it again to gain a greater understanding and appreciation. It is a book of few pages so that is not completely out of the question. I will give it another chance and possibly add to this review. I am glad I read it, if only to say that I have read it.
