"Sowoshun"; an Iranian Love Story Set During World War II

The book "Sowoshun", written by Simin Daneshvar, has been published by Khwarizmi Publishing. This book is Daneshvar’s first novel and one of the most enduring works of contemporary Iranian literature, having been reprinted numerous times. The novel was not only a milestone in the author’s literary career but also holds a special place as the first full-length novel written by an Iranian woman in the history of Persian literature.

The story of this novel is set in the city of Shiraz, Iran, during the 1940s, coinciding with the events of World War II. At that time, Iran faced the Allied occupation, the presence of the British, as well as famine and social and political pressures.

The main character is a sensitive, educated, and thoughtful woman who is caught between her family life and the external upheavals. She seeks peace and security for her family, while her husband, a free-minded and justice-oriented capitalist, confronts the occupiers and their internal collaborators. This struggle ultimately leads to a tragic outcome and forces the woman to choose between passivity and social responsibility.

"Sowoshun" has been reprinted repeatedly over the decades and translated into multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Arabic.