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BOOK REVIEW OF
IRAJ PEZESHKZAD’S NEWLY RELEASED “YAD-E YAR VA DIAR”
THE POPULAR IRANIAN ICON CONTINUES TO INTRIGUE Satire and comedy have always been the preferred Iranian means to lighten the heavy burden of oppression. At times when the prospect of finding a more fitting cure appears remote, laughing at misery remains the best antidote to ease the pain. Throughout their extended history, Iranians have had to endure the anguish of either remaining under the thumb or sword of numerous tyrannies. It is these extreme circumstances that have allowed satire to flourish as a painkiller. Having literary giants such as the 14th century author and poet, Obeid Zakani as a worthy forefather, satire gained respect and a worthy following to secure it pride of place in the mighty annals of Persian literature. In the early twentieth century during the tumult of the Constitutional Revolution, Iranian literature experienced the emergence of legendary poets and satirists like Iraj Mirza, Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda and Bibi Khatoon Astarabadi. Each invoked satire and utilized humor as indispensable tools to challenge the prevailing system and enlighten society.Their legacies thrived in the works of the next generation of authors such as Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh, Sadegh Hedayat and Iraj Pezeshkzad. Arguably, none of these authors rival Pezeshkzad’s mastery in penetrating the Iranian collective psyche or influencing popular culture. Born in 1928, to a father who was a physician and a mother that served as a
teacher, Iraj Pezeshkzad was educated in Iran and continued his studies in France where he earned a degree in law. After serving as a judge for five years, he joined the Iranian Foreign Service and served as a diplomat until the 1979 revolution. He started his literary career in the early 1950s by translating and writing short stories for magazines. Soon thereafter, he commenced writing novels like Haji Mam-ja’far completed during a posting in Paris, Mashallah Khan in the Court of Haroun al-Rashid, and Asemun Rismun. Plays such as Adab-e Mard beh ze Dolat-e oost also soon followed. It was during a foreign assignment in Switzerland that Pezeshkzad completed his magnum opus, My Uncle Napoleon.The coming of age novel published in 1973 secured Pezeshkzad national acclaim and gained him the praise of critics that recognized his latest work as a cultural phenomenon. My Uncle Napoleon became a cultural reference point with resonant characters that remain national icons to this day. My Uncle Napoleon and its author attracted more attention after the book was turned into an extremely successful television series that captured the imagination of an entire nation. Since its publication forty years ago, the book has been read and admired by successive generations of Iranians. Although banned in Iran after the revolution, it is still recognized as a timeless cultural classic. To this day, it is often cited as “the most
important and well-loved work of Iranian fiction since World War II”. After opting for forced exile in Paris in the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, Pezeshkzad joined Shapour Bakhtiar’s National Movement of Iranian Resistance. Since then he has also written and published numerous books. Although he remains a powerful writer, Pezeshkzad considers exile destructive to creativity. He once claimed: “I am removed from my natural environment [Iran] and the inspiration I need to fuel my creativity is no longer accessible.” Among others he has cited his lack of motivation to the absence of feedback from other writers and the displacement and dispersion of Iran’s literary community.“What is the point of writing” he once suggested,“if you rarely receive a response to what you write?” His latest book “Be Yad-e Yar O Diar” was published and released several months ago. Pezeshkzad’s latest epistle consists of reminisces from his homeland and of recollections of friends and companions at different stages of his private and professional life.The collection of short stories once again allows Pezeshkzad to weave intriguing stories and offers readers his unique and meticulous perspective on the ebb and flow of life.The new book also confirms that Pezeskzad ability to masterfully intrigue and regale book readers remains intact. //
S A M A N A G H VA M I // P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F ® PA R S T I M E S . C O M
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