A sweet and touching novel which can be read both as a coming of age story, set against a fascinating backdrop, and at a deeper level as a commentary on life in country where there is very little freedom of expression.
Four-year-old Shahaab has not started talking. The family doctor believes there is no cause for concern; nevertheless, Shahaab is ridiculed by others who call him 'dumb'. Young Shahaab doesn't understand what the word means and thinks it is a compliment, until one day his cousin plays a trick on him to prove to everyone that the boy truly is the neighbourhood idiot.
When his mother recounts the incident to her husband, Shahaab is crushed to learn that his father also thinks that his son is an idiot and thus brings shame on the family. Shahaab soon recognizes that his father's love and esteem is concentrated on his older brother and younger sister. In his innocent and deeply hurt child's mind, he begins to believe that the 'good' and 'intelligent' children like his siblings are their fathers' sons. Children like him are their mothers' sons. He begins to lash out, taking childish revenge on those around him, encouraged by his two imaginary friends, Esi and Bibi.
Only Shahaab's grandmother understands his wild behaviour and offers him the kindness he craves. Their growing bond leads to a deep friendship in which Shahaab might finally find his voice.
Praise for The Book of Fate
'Rarely can a novel have sustained such levels of emotion over so many gut-wrenching pages. It's a memorable and nuanced dissection of a patriarchal society' Guardian
'Written with passion and anger from the inside, it's a compelling account' Independent on Sunday
Finally, away from the roar and blare of heavily-hyped new publications, we find a low-key release which may well cause a ripple but
deserves to make a splash. I Hid My Voice by the Iranian novelist Parinoush Saniee is a novel based on fact about a boy who couldn't speak until the age of seven. Now twenty, Shahaab looks back on his life and shares his ordeal. He is mocked by friends, shunned by his father and understood only by his grandmother who gradually helps him to find his voice again. Saniee's book shines a light on one child's helplessness and, by extension, everyday Iranians' inability to speak out. It is also proof that a book doesn't have to be a big-name blockbuster to be an immensely satisfying summer read
