Tahajom

Authorised Translation of On Aggression by Konrad Lorenz: published in 1976 by Ketab-hai-e Jeibi Inc.

This is a translation of Konrad Lorenz' seminal work on behaviour. He argued that the roots of human behaviour are evolutionary and that explorations in animal behaviour provide an insightful window onto humans. He identified four basic drivers for behaviour (hunger, procreation, aggression and fear). Lorenz goes on to postulate three roles for aggression (as opposed to fighting); different modes of social organisation; and, a strong hypothesis about aggression in humans being less inhibited than it could be if social norms and biologically evolutionary processes were occurring at a similar pace.

Reshteye deraaze arezoo

Fiction: published in 1998 in Tehran by Peykan Press in 613 pages
ISBN 964-6743-37-4

In his longest work of fiction we follow the life of an unlikely cult figure. An imam who is tapped to delver the Friday sermon as an unknown rookie because he is not affiliated with senior clerics vying for power in Tehran. His sermon preaches love and tolerance when all the public have heard has been messages of pain and hardships. The story jumps between different times in the life of this Imam telling the story of how he came to hold his unique perspective and how he succeeds in living a life of dignity under very difficult circumstances.

Bibi Firoozeh and four other stories

Fiction: published in 2003 in Tehran by Chameh Press in 127 pages.
ISBN: 964-5641-19-5

This is a collection of five short stories exploring connections between the main character and issues usually taken for granted. In "Peyvand" the release of a long-term prisoner leads to a recognition of the comfort that could be found in his former cell. In "haraseh" a scarecrow is portrayed as a perceptive listener. In "Bibi Firoozeh" a beautiful girl struggles to come to grips with her own existence. In "shart-bandi" superstitions have shaped life in a village. In "sarashibi" death and its after-maths are treated in a humorous vein.

Sodaye Zendegi

Fiction: published in 2003 in Tehran by Chameh Press in 390 pages.
ISBN 964-5641-20-9

Opening with the reaction of a gathering of friends to the release of official secrets by the British after the customary 30 year moratorium, the book turns on what if we too had to reveal our secrets after a set period. Here again the reader is treated to a beautifully crafted storyline, exquisite use of language and delicate humour exploring the world of unspoken intentions and secrets never revealed.

Toseefe Gomshodeh

Fiction: Published in 2005 in Tehran by Ghatreh Press in 252 pages
ISBN 964-341-477-9

The narrative chronicles the life of a young man who leaves Iran and is forced to stay away from his home until his middle age. Returning home he finds that he is missing the shared experiences that would have kept him in tune with with the society he left behind or indeed prepare him for falling in love. This is a book about understanding and comming to grips with that loss...

In Zurvan's wake: the god of chance and fate

non-Fiction: 1st published in 2000 in Tehran by Nei Press in 149 pages

ISBN 964-312-471-1

Being a follower of Zurvan involved an absolute submission to fate. This belief meant that all creatures, from birth until death followed a predestined path scripted by Zurvan in the Book of Destiny. Archaeological and historic evidence show that Zurvan had a strong following from three thousand years ago until the rise of Islam. Since then this faith and the name Zurvan have largely been forgotten. However, their imprint on our region's collective psychology is in plain sight.