The Never Was

The Never Was is a work by Amir Ali Nabavian that presents a humorous yet thought-provoking story about the mindset of a nation and the functioning of an imaginary government. This story, which also has political and social undertones, is an entertaining and engaging tale about a government called Estraik located on a remote island. The story begins after World War II with the rise to power of Tom, and alongside him, the decisions made by the ruler’s think tank (his twin brother Jerry) not only add humor but also deeply engage the reader. Estraik is not an independent land, and its people cannot travel anywhere because they lack passports. King Tom is interested in establishing relations with other countries, even if it means Estraik becomes part of another nation’s territory. The Estraik government uses all the tricks it can to gain international recognition and engage with the world. They negotiate with China and Russia, try to awaken national pride through lies, but every attempt ends in failure and humiliation, leading to national disgrace. However, Estraik holds a great secret: a historic treasure unknown to superpowers. The Amber Room of Estraik is a chamber covered in gold and precious stones, valued at around two hundred and fifty million dollars. Now, the question is what will happen to Estraik with the plans Jerry has devised for the Amber Room.