The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee

In April, we are timely compelled to read The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee.

• From Banned Book to International Bestseller
• Winner of the 2010 Boccaccio Prize for Best International Book

Spanning 50 years of Iranian history, from before the 1979 revolution, through the Islamic Republic and up to the present, The Book of Fate is a powerful story of friendship and passion, fear and hope - and a rare insider's view of Iranian society.

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A teenager in pre-revolutionary Tehran, Massoumeh is an ordinary girl, passionate about learning. On her way to school she meets a local man and falls in love - but when her family discover his letters they accuse her of bringing them into dishonour. She is badly beaten by her brother, and her parents hastily arrange a marriage to a man she's never met. Facing a life without love, and the prospect of no education, Massoumeh is distraught - but a female neighbour urges her to comply: 'We each have a destiny, and you can't fight yours.'

The years that follow Massoumeh's wedding prove transformative for Iran. Hamid, Massoumeh's husband, is a political dissident and a threat to the Shah's oppressive regime and when the secret service arrive to arrest him, it is the start of a terrifying period for Massoumeh. Her fate, so long dictated by family loyalty and tradition, is now tied to the changing fortunes of her country...

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“Written with passion and anger from the inside, it's a compelling account."
―Independent on Sunday

“Rarely can a novel have sustained such levels of emotion over so many gut-wrenching pages. It's a memorable and nuanced dissection of a patriarchal society."
―Guardian

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📆Event Details

• Date & Time: Sunday, April 5th, 3:00 PM
• Venue: Las Palmas rooftop bar
• Note: Please support the venue by ordering at least one drink.

📚Club Guidelines

• The book has been translated into 26 languages and was one of World Literature Today’s 75 Notable Translations of 2013. So feel free to read in the language of your choice; however, the discussion will be conducted in English.
• I will share the book discussion questions via a link here before the event. Please refer to them before attending the session.
• Our next book for the May event is Sati by Nisha Mehraj. It follows an Indian-Muslim family navigating their hawker-center business, HDB life, and cinema dreams amidst the pressures of expectation in Singapore. If you’d like a copy, please DM me to secure your book. I have a limited number of free copies to share, which I will hand out in April.

❓FAQ

• 1)"Do I have to finish reading the book to join the event?"
  YES. We’re here to discuss the book! To ensure a rich and meaningful conversation for everyone, all participants are expected to read the book in full before attending.
• 2)"Can I just listen and not join the discussion?"
  NO. We gather in person to share ideas. Your voice matters! Whether you agree, disagree, or interpret things differently, every perspective helps deepen our understanding of the book. There’s no right or wrong answer, and every opinion is equally cherished.

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Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions.
See you in April, bookflies🦋!