This book provides a series of concise, accessible essays reflecting on the development of Persian fiction during the modern period.This 1966 book provides a series of concise, accessible essays reflecting on the development of Persian fiction during the modern period. The structure of the text is broadly chronological, with chapters allocated to key authors, literary movements, and social changes. This is a valuable volume for anyone interested in Persian literature.This 1966 book provides a series of concise, accessible essays reflecting on the development of Persian fiction during the modern period. The structure of the text is broadly chronological, with chapters allocated to key authors, literary movements, and social changes. This is a valuable volume for anyone interested in Persian literature.Originally published in 1966, this book forms the companion volume to A Modern Persian Prose Reader (Cambridge, 1968). It provides a series of concise, accessible essays reflecting on the development of Persian fiction during the modern period. The structure of the text is broadly chronological, with chapters allocated to key authors, literary movements, and social changes. A long second section is devoted to the work of Sadeq Hidayat (19031951), regarded by many as Iran's foremost writer of prose fiction and short stories. This is a fascinating book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in Persian literature.Introduction; Note on transliteration; Part I: 1. The historical background; 2. The Qajars and reform; 3. Regeneration of prose; 4. The eve of revolt; 5. Constitutional revolution; 6. Historical novels; 7. The reign of Riz Shah; 8. Early writers of the Riz Shah period; 9. Later writers of the Riz Shah period; 10. After Riz Shah: the period of political experiment; 11. Post-war writers; 12. Buzurg 'Alav+; 13. The younger writers; Part II: 14. The leading writer of modern Iran: Sdiq Hidyat; 15. The early period; 16. The creative period; 17. The lifelE