Sirus Mirza

Sirus Mirza is a collection of stories by Aroosha Nosrat, a contemporary Iranian writer. The stories in this collection carry a subtle social satire that critiques restrictive laws, dysfunctional social relations, and the complex interactions among people. For example, the first story is about a couple named Mr. and Mrs. “F” who decide to follow a doctor’s advice: Mrs. F’s various illnesses and headaches are attributed to air pollution and stress, and it is better for them to travel or endure the situation. They opt to travel and begin preparations for a trip abroad, such as obtaining passports and tickets. However, one difficulty after another arises, including arguments with a photographer, rude behavior from administrative officials, cumbersome and sometimes laughable laws, gradually shifting their mindset from traveling to enduring. Eventually, they receive word that their passports are ready: “Mr. F, now reassured, watched her from the corner of his eye and smiled, as the pleasant chime signaling to fasten seat belts arrived along with the romantic voice of the attendant, announcing their imminent landing at Frankfurt airport. All followed a long, endless tunnel trailing behind each other toward the transit hall. At the tunnel’s end, two German police officers surprisingly checked identification and passports. Mrs. F, who had been unnecessarily upset by airport staff after the plane ride, started trembling for no reason as she approached the tall, blonde, blue-eyed officer.”