Rab’a’s Son (Two Volumes)

Rab’a’s Son is a book written by Hossein Gholi Mostaan, an Iranian author and translator. This work falls within the category of historical-long narrative fiction. “Rab’a’s Son” is a two-volume novel subtitled “The Difficult Days of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.” The story revolves around a famous emir who kills his own sons. It narrates the romantic and political rivalries of Khalaf ibn Ahmad Saffari with his sons. The novel is set in Sistan, a troubled region following intense succession wars. A conflict over the succession of Azdullah has taken place, and Amr, the son of Khalaf ibn Ahmad Saffari, battles the successors of Azdullah but is ultimately defeated. After his defeat, he returns to Sistan and takes Rab’a, the beautiful daughter of Azdullah, as a spoil of war. Their dialogue introduces readers to Amr’s past and temperament. Khalaf, Amr’s father, falls in love with Rab’a after meeting her and kills Amr to win the young woman. Rab’a escapes, and the rest of the story focuses on the chase between Khalaf and Rab’a. In the background, the history of the era is recounted, illustrating the weaknesses of the caliphs and the conflicts among regional governments. Rab’a is repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned but manages to save herself by all means. In the second volume, Iran is engulfed in war and bloodshed, and Rab’a, as the advisor to her brother and husband, strives to restore order in Iran. She bears a child with her husband but loses him in the war after a while. The continuation of the story focuses on Rab’a’s political maneuvers after the war to raise her child.