The Husband of Ahu Khanom

Showhar-e Ahoo Khanom (The Husband of Ahoo Khanom) is Ali Mohammad Afghani’s first work, which he wrote during his imprisonment between the years 1954 to 1959. After his release, Afghani published the book at his own expense, and in the same year, it won the award for the best book of the year. The novel generally addresses the position and status of women during the 1930s. This work can be considered the first feminist literary work in Iranian literature. The prose of this book is characterized by vivid imagery and detailed characterization. “Showhar-e Ahoo Khanom” tells the story of a traditional, docile woman subdued by a patriarchal society, whose position in her home is threatened by the arrival of a more rebellious and modern woman. The book powerfully portrays the realities faced by women in the lower strata of society and serves as a critique of the custom of polygamy. Its subtle character development, precise atmosphere building, and Ali Mohammad Afghani’s powerful pen have made “Showhar-e Ahoo Khanom” one of the most beloved contemporary works of Persian literature.