Picture an Iranian storyteller who weaves magical realism with the weight of history—meet Shokoofeh Azar! Born in 1972, this Iranian-Australian author fled to Australia in 2011 as a political refugee, carrying stories that would captivate the world. Her debut novel, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, blends Persian myths with the harsh realities of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, earning her global acclaim.
Azar’s journey from a journalist in Iran to an internationally celebrated author is as gripping as her prose. With nominations for the Stella Prize and the International Booker Prize, she’s the first Iranian to achieve the latter, shining a light on Persian literature’s rich legacy.
The Making of Shokoofeh Azar
Born in Iran seven years before the Islamic Revolution, Shokoofeh Azar grew up in a literary household. Her father, an intellectual and poet, nurtured her love for storytelling. She studied literature and worked as an editor for a Persian literary encyclopedia, honing her craft. As a journalist, Azar tackled human rights and women’s issues, but her bold voice led to three arrests, including three months in solitary confinement. At her family’s urging, she fled Iran, enduring a perilous boat journey to Australia’s Christmas Island, where she was granted asylum.
Settling in Perth and later Geelong, Azar embraced her new home while drawing on her Iranian roots. Her experiences as a refugee and her deep connection to Persian mythology shaped her unique narrative style, blending the mystical with the real.
Shokoofeh Azar’s Unforgettable Stories
Azar’s debut novel, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree (2017), is a haunting masterpiece of magical realism. Narrated by the ghost of 13-year-old Bahar, it follows a family unraveling amid the post-1979 Islamic Revolution’s chaos. The story juxtaposes Iran’s vibrant culture with the regime’s brutality, using jinns, mermaids, and enchanted forests to explore grief and resilience. Originally written in Farsi, it was translated anonymously due to safety concerns and published by Wild Dingo Press in Australia.
Her 2022 essay, Why Iranians Continue to Seek Refuge in Australia, reflects on her own journey and the broader refugee experience, offering a poignant commentary on displacement. Azar also penned children’s books and short stories in Iran, including a 1997 award-winning essay collection, Companion in Writing and Editing Essays. Her work draws heavily on Persian literary traditions, weaving myths and folklore into modern narratives that resonate globally.
Azar’s style is lyrical and melancholic, balancing beauty with tragedy. She describes magical realism as a way to address “realistic problems” through metaphysical lenses, a nod to Iran’s supernatural cultural beliefs. Her stories are both intimate family sagas and powerful critiques of political oppression.
Why Shokoofeh Azar Matters
Shokoofeh Azar’s work bridges cultures, bringing Persian literature to a global stage. Her International Booker Prize nomination in 2020 marked a historic moment, amplifying Iranian voices in a world often unaware of their literary depth. Her stories challenge oppressive regimes while celebrating human resilience, making her a vital voice in magical realism and diaspora literature.
Beyond writing, Azar’s life as a painter, ceramic artist, and the first Iranian woman to hitchhike the Silk Road reflects her fearless spirit. Her work inspires readers to confront history’s darker chapters while embracing the magic of storytelling, ensuring Persian culture’s enduring legacy.
- Born: 1972, Iran
- Key Works: The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, Why Iranians Continue to Seek Refuge in Australia
- Awards: Nominated for Stella Prize (2018), International Booker Prize (2020)
- Fun Fact: First Iranian woman to hitchhike the Silk Road
Snag The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree and dive into Shokoofeh Azar’s spellbinding world of magical realism!