The 50th Anniversary of the Beloved 'Shazdeh'

Exactly fifty years ago, in 1348 in the Iranian calendar, when the 32-year-old writer from Isfahan, Houshang Golshiri, published the novel 'Shazdeh Ehtajab', his name immediately resonated in the literary circles of Tehran. At the time of the publication of 'Shazdeh Ehtajab', Golshiri had not yet written any of his significant later works. However, it is not surprising that this not-so-long text, which is called a 'novel' and not so short that it can be labeled a 'short story', was sufficient to make him renowned. It was enough for him to receive the highest praises from the strict, prosperous, and flourishing literary community of that star-studded decade of the 40s and 50s in Iran. It is no coincidence that Golshiri named this creation his most fortunate work; because these praises have not only not diminished over the course of this half-century, but 'Shazdeh Ehtajab' has survived the ruthless and consuming test of time; it has adequately established its position; and now its author stands alongside the brightest figures of modern Iranian literature such as Sadegh Hedayat and Jalal Al-e Ahmad. In this program, I invited literary critic, journalist, and writer Faraj Sarkouhi, who was a close friend of Houshang Golshiri during his lifetime, to see what the essence of this work is and to briefly discuss it with him. Naturally, it is expected that in such an occasion, part of the conversation will also touch upon Golshiri himself and his social behavior and demeanor. Welcome to the book review program of Radio Farda: Distant View, Close View.