The Grand Wizard and the Queen of the Color Island

Jamshid Khanian is an Iranian novelist and playwright. His titles have gained national and international acclaim. His title, 7th West Floor is among the best novels written for young adults, talking about tolerance towards elderly and social responsibilities. He has won awards and credits such as: Best Book of the Year, from Children’s Books Association, The Flying Turtle Medal, and Honorary Winner of IBBY, London and Mexico. Khanian is the first Iranian author to be invited to Munich International Youth Library, The White Raven Festival, 2018.

The Grand Wizard and the Queen of the Color Island is an unusual book, with an unusual narrative. The title might be a bit misleading, for the wizard and the queen are actually metaphors of Rahi (the boy) and Ms. Parsa (the Painter). Rahi and his parents have a strange and quiet neighboring family, The Parsas. Rahi’s mother informs him one day that he must go and work for the lady, as her painting model. In return, the Parsas will pay a hefty amount of money, with which he can buy his dream bicycle. The atmosphere of the house is rather odd and so is the relationship between Mrs. And Mr. Parsa. The young man who is an architect almost obsessively worries about his wife and she, trying to put his mind at ease, pretends that everything is alright. Step by step, Rahi figures out that there once was a boy living in this house, whose clothes and room are all intact. The dialogues between Rahi and Mrs. Parsa are rather memorable and what consists most of the book. Gradually, we put the pieces of the puzzle together and find out that her son, Amir Taha has drowned in the sea and the resemblance between Amir Taha and Rahi is uncanny. Rahi is the only link Mrs. Parsa has to her son and to her sanity. His warm heart and spirited character saves Mrs. Parsa from a terrible decision.

This title similar to other Khanian’s works has a peculiar format. The characters and narratives go back and forth in time and this is how the reader can figure out the reality of each name.

Everything is in place and the reader is in for a treat. Since the foundation of the book is based on dialogues, one may be reminded of Hemingway’s works. Discussing sensitive subjects, such as death and loss can be a double-edged sword, for with a little deviation, the reader might lose connection with the essence of story.

Rahi pours some sugar in his cup.

Mrs. Parsa won’t take her eyes off of him. Rahi looks back.

Mrs. Parsa looks away and takes the pitcher and pour some fruit juice in the glass. “Won’t you eat some breakfast?” Rahi asks.

• Sure, though I’m waiting to see wath Rahi is up to.
• Me?
• What was I supposed to do?
• Think about it!
• I didn’t want to do

Mrs. Parsa waves her hand gently in the air: “space… spacey!’ And Finally: “Space Breakfast!”

Rahi’s narrow eyebrows tie and then jump up, like two little birds: “Right, the space breakfast! But that’s just a story, Ma’am. I mean it’s from a book. A story book.”

• What book?
• A Journey to the

***

• The salesman didn’t say which direction you went I couldn’t find you!

Mrs. Parsa stays quiet for a while: “Did you see the swifts?”

• But they were not near the
• So where were they?
• The water raised so much due to the tides that they got afraid and hid behind the The water was like a dragon, Ma’am.
• As it is at every
• So you are going home now?

Mrs. Parsa fixes her messy hair and disheveled scarf. “yes.” She replies.

• I will tell you everything you wasn’t to I’ll tell you about the Chancho Path. I’ll talk about a chicken at a space shuttle. You just please come back home with me.

“Can I say something, Rahi?” Mrs. Parsa asks.

• Like what, my Queen?
• I feel like I’m stepping foot inside The Starry Night
• Really?
• That’s Every time I pass this alley, I somehow think I’m walking through my grandfather’s dream.