Serious Literature Readers

Greetings,

I began writing the hypertextual novel "Maria Minorsky's diaries " in 1999, initially on a blog and then on a website. This was the first hypertextual novel in the Persian language and even in the Middle East, an unparalleled experience in transitioning from the linear format of a book to a complex and multi-layered hypertext maze. 

This novel remained online until 2010, after which it fell off the virtual space due to financial reasons! 

During this time, I have edited it multiple times, and it has now grown to about one hundred thousand words, complete with images, documentation, and other attachments. 

In order to upload it back online, I need the financial support of a sponsor. The cost for designing the website is two thousand dollars, which I cannot afford on my own.

I wrote this request solely for the sake of literature and nothing more.

Thank you.

Farhaad HGuraan 

January 2025

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A Novel

Shamar's migration (Departure of Shamar)

The young Kurdish man, lost and bewildered, seems to have lived and not lived for thousands of years, having migrated or been forced to migrate from the pages of Yarsan and a multitude of memories and longings to a Tehran that obscures yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The story of Shamar's migration is the labyrinthine narrative of a man who is both the storyteller and the witness to the stories of others, carrying fragments from eras and centuries, as well as from the very history of the decades we have endured and are enduring, yet we do not know if we will continue to endure it or not. Shamar, who knows that his stars and those of his people have become unfortunate in the absence of a beloved, wishes to draw metaphors from among the papers, documents, letters, memories, sayings, anecdotes, and his daily work report that would restore the lost meanings to himself and his people. "Departure of Shamar" the third novel by Farhaad Heydari Guraan, transforms the presence of a man who has been forced to leave his homeland for work in the capital and has become involved in a drug rehabilitation camp into a historical and imaginary presence that one can ride on the horse of his imagination to experience love and the denial of love, with hope, love, and certainty; the very things that this history has always sought to strip away from him and his people.

 

Some critiques and opinions about the novels of Farhaad HGuraan.

فرهاد_ح_گوران#

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"Shortness of Breath" was ahead of the Persian novels of its time.

✔️ Reza Seyed Hosseini, translator and author of the book "Literary Schools"

 

"One of the best novels of the 2010s in Iran."

✔️ Mahmoud HosseiniZad, writer and translator of German literature

 

"The author has moved towards a new form of writing and a fresh type of narrative. He does not intend to write a novella or a novel in the conventional sense. "Shortness of Breath" will remain one of the first novels that has breathed in the realm of the web and utilized its possibilities to advance the narrative, and it is among the few good novellas and novels written in the 1980s." 

✔️ Reza Ameri, critic and translator of Arabic literature

The novel "Koch-e Shamar"            

 "Departure of Shamar" 

 Awarded the Mehrgan Literary Prize.

Translation of "Shortness of breath" novel into Kurdish.

 Writing the truth

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Farhaad HGuraan, as one of the prominent writers in Kurdish and Farsi literature, has addressed various social, cultural, and political themes in his works. One important aspect of his writings is their connection to Yarsan texts (or Ahl-e Haqq). Yarsan is a specific ritual and culture among Kurds and some other ethnic groups, particularly in western Iran and Kurdish regions. Below is an examination of the relationship between Guraan's works and Yarsan texts:

1. Mystical and Ritual Themes: In some of his works, Guraan references mystical and Ritual  themes that may be influenced by Yarsan teachings. These themes include the search for truth, love, and spirituality, which are also clearly present in Yarsan texts.

2. Characters and Stories: In some of Guraan's works, there are characters and stories that are somehow related to Yarsan culture and traditions. This connection can manifest through the narration of local tales or the use of symbols and signs from Yarsani culture.

3. Social and Historical Experiences: Guraan addresses the social and historical experiences of the Kurds in his works, which may relate to the history of Yarsan. For instance, issues concerning discrimination, war, and migration that he discusses could reflect the situation of the Yarsani community.

4. Language and Literature: The literary language of Guraan is influenced by colloquial speech and Yarsani literature in some instances. By using local vocabulary and expressions, he aims to create a deeper connection with Kurdish culture and identity.

5. Social Critique: Guraan critiques social and cultural conditions in his works and may also address issues related to Yarsan. These critiques can help examine the challenges and problems faced by the Yarsani community.

Works:

Guraan has authored five novels in both Farsi and Kurdish, and a treatise titled "Truth and Happiness" on the ritual texts of Yarsan, a minority religion in Iran facing governmental oppression.

Due to censorship, three of Guraan's novels remain unpublished in Iran. However, his collection of stories, "We All Live in the Age of Hunting" , was published by Nogam Publishing House in London in 2021.

His works have been translated into Kurdish, English, Polish, Swedish, and Arabic.

In 2019, the novel "Departure of Shamar" was selected as the first "honored book" of the Mehrgan Award.

"Nafas Tangi" (translated as "Shortness of Breath" or "Suffocation"), a powerful metaphor for the oppressive socio-political conditions experienced by the Kurdish people, is part of a trilogy; its first volume was censored, but the second volume was published by Agah Publishing House in 2007. Additionally, Guraan's "Maria Minorski's Darkroom" is recognized as the first HyperText Fiction novel in the Persian language, published online in 2004.

Furthermore, three master's and doctoral theses have been written about Farhad's novels, highlighting the academic recognition and impact of his work.

In summary, Farhaad HGuraan's works have a profound connection with Yarsan texts that can be observed through mystical themes, characters, social experiences, and literary language. This connection not only enriches Kurdish literature but also promotes Yarsani culture and identity.

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Regarding the works of FarhadHGuraan, more than a hundred articles and five academic theses have been written.