TEHRAN- A Persian translation of American author Katherine Center’s “Hello Stranger” has recently been published by Amut Publications in Tehran.

Originally published in 2023, the book has been translated into Persian by Maryam Rafiei.

In "Hello Stranger," Sadie Montgomery's life takes an unexpected turn when she is suddenly diagnosed with prosopagnosia, or face blindness, right after celebrating her success as a finalist in a prestigious art competition. This perplexing condition leaves her struggling to recognize faces, transforming her world into a confusing puzzle of disconnected features. As Sadie navigates through this daunting reality, she grapples with her artistic aspirations, unresolved family issues, and the care of her beloved dog, Peanut.

Amidst the chaos, Sadie's emotional landscape becomes even more complicated as she finds herself drawn to two very different men. These potential romantic interests present a welcome distraction from her troubles but also complicate her life at a particularly challenging time. While she tries to come to terms with her condition and the impact it has on her relationships and identity, she also reflects on love and the quest for clarity in her life.

Set against the backdrop of her artistic journey and personal struggles, "Hello Stranger" explores themes of perception, connection, and the unpredictability of love. Through her challenges, Sadie learns that sometimes the things we seek come when we least expect them and that alternative perspectives can illuminate paths we had not considered. With resilience and creativity, Sadie embarks on a journey to redefine what it means to truly see the world around her, finding beauty in the blurry edges of life and relationships. Ultimately, the narrative reminds readers that understanding and clarity may emerge in the most unlikely circumstances.

Katherine Center is an accomplished American author known for her contemporary fiction that she describes as "bittersweet comic novels." Her debut novel, “The Bright Side of Disaster” (2006), was successfully optioned for film by Varsity Pictures. Notably, her sixth book, “How to Walk Away” (2018), became a New York Times bestseller and was featured as a Book of the Month Club selection. Similarly, her 2019 novel “Things You Save in a Fire” also achieved bestseller status.

In 2022, Center released “The Bodyguard”, which debuted at #11 on the New York Times bestseller list and received recognition as a Book of the Month Club pick. Aside from her novels, Center has contributed essays to publications like Real Simple and participated in various literary events, including the 2007 Houston Chronicle Book and Author Dinner and a TEDx Talk titled "We Need to Teach Boys to Read Stories About Girls."

Her work has also been adapted for film, with “The Lost Husband” (2020) and “Happiness for Beginners” (2023) both making waves on Netflix, with the latter reaching the global Top 10 in 81 countries.

SAB/