Through the Glass, Through the Mist

Through the Glass, Through the Fog is Ali Khodaei’s first collection of stories. This collection was first published in 1991 and introduced Ali Khodaei as a fresh voice in Iranian literature. Upon its release, the collection was well-received, and today, with the story collections he has published over the years, Ali Khodaei is considered one of the most important short story writers in Iran. According to the author, three stories have been added to the latest edition of this collection. These three stories were written during the same time as the stories in the “Through the Glass, Through the Fog” collection. The stories take place in Isfahan and Anzali, and some of the characters are Armenian. The stories have a nostalgic feel, as if the characters are searching for a lost past in their minds and imaginations. The atmosphere of the stories, like fog, gradually envelops the thoughts and imagination of the characters and then, like a halo of sadness, immerses the reader. In addition to the characters, the cities also hold an identity in these stories. The misty and rainy imagery of the port of Anzali aligns with the ambiance of “Through the Glass, Through the Fog,” and it seems that removing this atmosphere would collapse the story, leaving nothing behind. The sense of belonging to a place and having roots in it is a pleasant and memory-evoking feeling. In the story “The House by the Sea,” an elderly woman wishes to see the sea. She takes care of her son’s house, suffering from loneliness despite being surrounded by family, and longs to return to nature’s embrace. In the story “Namaki,” a woman awaits her husband. The narrative is based on the narrator’s mental reflections and shifts. The man in the story is portrayed in such a way that both his presence and the sorrow of his absence leave the reader saddened. The story “Through the Glass, Through the Fog” has brilliant storytelling and evokes a nostalgic feeling that envelops the reader. Many literary critics consider it the best story in the collection. Two Armenian sisters who have now grown old reminisce about their youthful memories and shared love. In “Two Letters,” two elderly Armenian women—one in Iran and the other abroad—write letters to each other. The title of the story “Baroon Barooneh” is derived from a famous song. In this story, a waiter who was in love with Vigen narrates his past. Other story titles in this collection include “A Little Silver Camera,” “The Road,” “Two Letters,” “For Goodbye,” and “Remembering the Old Times.” “Through the Glass, Through the Fog” is an important collection that introduces new atmospheres to Iranian fiction. Readers of short stories can thoroughly enjoy this collection.