Buried Alive [Zendeh Be Goor] By Sadeq Hedayat
My breath escapes me in ragged gaspings, tears run from my eyes, a bitter taste lingers in my mouth. My head spins, my heart clenches, my body lies exhausted, beaten, limp, weak on the bed. My arms, covered in marks from the injections, bear witness to my misery. The bed reeks of sweat and the […]
The Last Day By Bahram Beyzai
As the 48-year-old Iranian writer Sadeq Hedayat makes his way to his apartment in the 18th arrondissement at 37 Rue Championnet bis on a gloomy afternoon in Paris, he meets two men who are waiting for him. They immediately inquire whether he has returned from the police station and whether he has received the necessary […]
The Chicken Coop By Mohammad Mohammadali
The phone rang. It was Kashefi. “What’s the status of Mr. Vali’s retirement?” “It’s likely to be finalized today or tomorrow.” “I’ve been considering something for him.” “Thank you for remembering our request, sir!” “Just a question, is he fit for strenuous work?” “Don’t be deceived by his bulky and flabby appearance; he single-handedly oversees […]
Sadeq Hedayat: Dash Akol [English Translation]
It was common knowledge in Shiraz that Dash Akol and Kaka Rostam harbored a deep hatred for each other. On one particular day, Dash Akol was sitting on a bench in the teahouse of Domil – one of his old haunts – with a quail cage next to him, covered by a red blanket. With […]