The new novel by Amir Hassan Cheheltan: Love makes you fragile

Although he could be arrested at any moment, writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan continues to live in Iran. In his new novel “The Rose of Nischapur” you think you understand why.

One evening the three of them stand outside and look at the city: the writer Nader, his girlfriend Nastaran and the Englishman David, who has just gotten to know Iran. Inside they have just met wildly made-up devil worshipers. Outside, on the terrace in front of this secret club, they look at sleeping Tehran, the stars in the sky, and the glittering lights of the night below. David is surprised that something like this even exists there, and Nader replies that there is everything in Tehran that you can imagine in other places: “That’s exactly why we’re still here.”