A work by Mohammad Tolouei translated by Giacomo Longhi.
The publishing house Bompiani (Giunti Editore brand) announces the publication of a new work by the Iranian author Mohammad Tolouei, masterfully translated by Giacomo Longhi.
The author
Mohammad Tolouei, born in 1979 in Rasht in northern Iran and living in Tehran, is one of the most significant voices in contemporary Iranian fiction. A graduate in film directing, Tolouei has built a highly prestigious literary career as an author of novels, short stories and children's stories.
His prose, which acutely captures the lights and shadows of the Iranian middle class, has earned him recognition from the prestigious Golshiri award. His writings have found space in important international magazines, including The Guardian, The Massachusetts Review e International, testifying to the relevance of his work beyond national borders.
The Italian public has already been able to appreciate his narrative with Dad's lessons, published by Ponte33 in 2019.
The translator
The translation is entrusted to Giacomo Longhi, a leading figure in the Italian translation scene. A translator and researcher specializing in contemporary Persian literature, Longhi has extensive experience in translating fiction from Arabic and Persian for several Italian publishing houses, bringing the most interesting voices in the Middle Eastern literary scene to the Italian public.
The novel
Tolouei's new novel tells the story of Ibrahim, thirty years old, who accepts a blind date arranged by her mother and aunt with Elham, a very shy girl. To get to know each other better, the two take a trip from Tehran to Isfahan, spending a night together in a hotel pretending to be husband and wife.
But the next morning Ebrahim discovers the true purpose of Elham's journey: to find an exorcist who can free her from the disturbing and tangled dreams that have always tormented her, with heavy consequences on her daily life. Isfahan will prove to be just a stop on a longer and more tortuous journey, which will lead the two protagonists to the beaches of the Persian Gulf, in a daring search for the most authentic truth between two people.
With his characteristic ability to explore the depths of the human soul, Tolouei offers readers a novel that intertwines realism and dreamlike dimensions, painting a touching and authentic portrait of contemporary Iranian society.
This new Bompiani publication represents a further opportunity for Italian readers to discover the richness and depth of contemporary Iranian literature, through the interpretative sensitivity of one of its most qualified cultural mediators.