The Sixth Commandment or A Narrative from the Murdered Third Person

The Sixth Commandment or A Narrative from the Murdered Third Person is the second novel by Mostafa Ensafi. Prior to this, the author published “You Will Return to Isfahan,” which was well received by readers. The story follows a young writer named Amirali who falls in love with his former classmate Leila, a wealthy poet with three published poetry books and one under review by the Ministry of Culture. Amirali’s life changes when he receives a misdelivered letter, sparking new events in the lives of the main characters. Amid these developments, a mysterious and sudden murder becomes the central theme of the novel. Leila dies in a strange incident, prompting Amirali to seek the truth behind this mysterious death. The story is set around the year 1998 (1377 in the Iranian calendar), with the narrator occasionally revisiting past university memories and breaking the linear narrative. The events primarily take place in Tehran but extend back in time through various flashbacks, including stories from the life of Mirzadeh Eshghi, a freedom-loving poet admired by Leila, pushing the timeline back about 70 years. The portrayal of this poet blends fact and myth, linking the story to political killings and suggesting ongoing socio-political turmoil across eras. This historical connection reflects the author’s interest in history and historical events, a theme also prominent in his previous work. One of the novel’s strengths is the narrator’s appropriate tone that adapts well to the historical context discussed. The novel contains numerous stories and narratives, each demanding a unique voice. After Leila’s death, the protagonist loses balance and becomes absorbed in historical information, continuously narrating and being narrated to unearth layers of truth. The book is rich in stories that smoothly intertwine through skilled language and technique. “The Sixth Commandment or A Narrative from the Murdered Third Person” is a technical novel with a multi-layered story that serious lovers of Persian novels will appreciate.