TEHRAN- The 41st edition of the Iranian writer Hushang Moradi Kermani’s “You’re No Stranger Here” has recently been published.

Moein, the publisher of the book, released its first edition in 2005.

“You’re No Stranger Here”, the writer’s autobiography, has been published in English and Arabic as well.  

In his extremely short introduction to the book, Moradi Kermani, whose works are also appealing to adults, has said, “I did no research nor had any note to write in this book; it just came from my memory.” He then has dedicated it to those who are and were in company with him on the “journey”, as well as “those who are influenced.”

Next, he immediately grabs the readers’ hands taking them to his home in Sirch, a remote village in Kerman Province, where he spent his unusual childhood; unusual simply because he lost his mother in his infancy and had to go on with his grandfather and grandmother, and a father who suffered from mental illness.

Societies differ from one another in their definition of private life. Iranians traditionally shrink from revealing even a simple fact about their private lives. But Moradi Kermani does not conceal even the bitter fact that his father was a psycho. In addition, he frankly reveals his rural descent while his fellow men often pretend to be a member of an ancient noble family from the heart of Tehran!

No work by any other Iranian writer comes nearly as close to describing the ambiance of Iranian society as that which is described in Moradi Kermani’s books, particularly in “You’re No Stranger Here”. This is the reason why his works are also appealing to adults.

And this is the reason why Iranian filmmakers found his stories interesting enough to be turned into films. His “The Stories of Majid”, about an ambitious teenage boy, Majid who lives with his grandma Bibi in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, was made into a popular TV series of the same title by late director Kiumars Purahmad during the 1990s.

In 2000, Marzieh Borumand directed a screen adaptation of Moradi Kermani’s “A Sweet Jam” about 12-year-old Jalal’s struggles to open a jar of jam.

In 2004, Dariush Mehrjui also made a film based on his novel “Mom’s Guest: An Evening in Isfahan” about a working-class family’s efforts to receive a young couple in their modest accommodation.  

However, none of Moradi Kermani’s works are as dramatic as his masterpiece “You’re No Stranger Here”, but the large budget required for making the story into a film or TV series has been an obstacle preventing filmmakers from approaching this story.

“You’re No Stranger Here” is actually the key to learn how Moradi Kermani made himself into one of the few great writers of modern Iran.

Throughout his career, Moradi Kermani has written several children's books, many of which have won international awards and have been translated into multiple languages. His literary works encompass a wide range of subjects that delve into various themes, including social justice, environmentalism, cultural customs, and historical events.

So far, Moradi Kermani's literary works have been translated into an array of languages, including French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Greek, and Turkish.

Moradi Kermani's writing style is notable for its straightforwardness and uncomplicated approach. He uses everyday language and accessible narrative techniques to convey complex ideas to his young readers. His books are not only entertaining but also educational, teaching important life lessons and values such as respect, empathy, compassion and kindness.

Photo: A combination photo shows Hushang Moradi Kermani and the front cover of the Persian edition of his book “You’re No Stranger Here”.

SAB/