Kader Abdolah is an Iranian-born author renowned for his works written in Dutch. His writing frequently delves into themes of identity, memory, and the collision of cultures, often drawing from his experiences as a political refugee. He crafts narratives with a rich, poetic style, bringing to life vivid imagery and deeply human characters. Abdolah's novels offer a unique perspective on the complexities of the human condition, bridging his Persian heritage with his life in the Netherlands.
With his translation of The Qur'an, Kader Abdolah makes the Islamic Holy Book accessible to non-Arabic readers. His source material was his father's old Arabic Qur'an. The Qur'an does not have a strictly logical structure; the 114 suras branch out like trees and with his unique translation, Abdolah guides his reader through the gardens of the Qur'an.
Already a bestseller in Europe, this is an extraordinary novel about the making of modern Iran.
An extraordinary novel about the making of modern Iran, already a bestseller in Europe It is the 19th century and the kingdom of Persia is at a turning point. When a young King, Shah Naser, takes to the throne he inherits a medieval, enchanted world. But beyond the court, the greater forces of colonization and industrialisation close in. The Shah's grand vizier sees only one solution--to open up to the outside world, and to bring Persia into modernity. But the Shah's mother fiercely opposes the vizier's reforms and sets about poisoning her son's mind against his advisor. With bloody battles, intrigue, and extraordinary characters, The King brings a historical moment brilliantly to life. Reading as fairy tale and shedding light on a pivotal period in history, The King confirms Kader Abdolah as one of the world's most engaging storytellers.
Born in 1954 in Iran, the author joined an underground movement against oppressive regimes before seeking asylum in the Netherlands in 1988. Adopting the pen name Kader Abdolah, he honed his Dutch language skills and achieved literary success starting in 1993. This collection features fifty of his insightful columns, showcasing his unique perspective on the significant transformations in Europe due to immigration. Abdolah is recognized as a prominent voice in contemporary Dutch literature, engaging deeply with cultural and social issues.
Iran, 1969. In the house of the mosque, the family of Aqa Jaan has lived for eight centuries. The house teems with life, played out under the watchful eyes of the storks that nest on the minarets above. But this family will experience upheaval unknown to previous generations. For in Iran, political unrest is brewing. The shah is losing his hold on power; the ayatollah incites rebellion from his exile in France; and one day the ayatollah returns. The consequences will be felt in every corner of Aqa Jaan's family.
Iran, 1969. In the house of the mosque, the family of Aqa Jaan has lived for eight centuries. The house teems with life, played out under the watchful eyes of the storks that nest on the minarets above. But this family will experience upheaval unknown to previous generations. For in Iran, political unrest is brewing. The shah is losing his hold on power; the ayatollah incites rebellion from his exile in France; and one day the ayatollah returns. The consequences will be felt in every corner of Aqa Jaan's family.
Exiled in Europe, and separated from all he loves most, rebel Ishmael confronts his family's biggest mystery - who was the man who was his father? The only clue is the strange notebook his father, Aga Akbar, left behind - a book written in his own private script.