The Stair Landing

Since Shahsavari is a serious journalist, this approach can be well traced in his first novel. It has a rather realistic attitude towards life and the odd events that keep the reader curious all through the fiction. The characters are not strangers, one can see them in different aspects of life and communicate with them and feel all the pain and experiences they go through.

It sets during one of the most tumultuous times in recent Iran. People are protesting in the streets and being prosecuted by the security forces, followed, beaten, in danger.

A peculiar group of people take shelter in the stair landing of house nearby and the reader is taken by surprise: by how their stories seem incredibly far and particularly close.

This title is truly timeless. You can easily take a look at Iran›s recent history to know that Shahsavari›s brilliant title is like a time capsule.

Bijan looked through the door. Two of them were right there, standing in the middle of the road and laughing. They did not step any closer than that. Noosh-Afarin came out of the room. It looked as if she had taken Marjan to the room with her.

-What happened?
Khalil who tried to stop his panting said: “They caught Mehrdad. He was beaten badly…”
Noosh-Afarin slapped her own face. For a second Bijan felt burning with heat. It was only then that he realized that he has Azar’s hand in his hand. He released her hand very slowly.

Azar had still her eyes on the mother, who had fainted just a few moments ago.