NEW YORK BOOK FESTIVAL HONORABLE MENTION • 2024 BOOK AWARDS IPNE SILVER MEDALIST • From Iranian-born author Afarin Bellisario comes an “impactful and immersive” ( Foreword Reviews ) novel about the struggle for freedom and love against tradition, corruption, and colonial ambition during World War I. "Silenced Whispers is a provocative drama with a heart-wrenching and emotional storyline that is gripping and affecting. Bellisario's excellently crafted tale also provides an illuminating insight into the harsh and oppressive social landscape of early 20th century Iran." - Booklife Gohar doesn’t fit the mold: While other girls in early 20th-century Iran cook, sew, and dream of marriage, she climbs trees, reads books, and secretly plays the tar despite the ban on music. But she bows to her fate when at 14, she is compelled to marry a 55-year-old conservative politician. Soon destiny brings her to Tehran—a city rife with corruption, violent political rivalries, and colonial powers’ meddling. Defying her husband, she joins the movement to reform the country. Meanwhile, her attraction to Aslan, a mysterious Russian ally of the cause, tests her faith and family honor. Tension rises when the reformists hire an American to modernize the country, prompting the Russians to invade Northern Iran. And mayhem ensues. Is there a future for an Iranian Muslim and a Russian Christian hunted by their own government amidst the Great War? Silenced Whispers transports readers to the enchanting world of Iran at the turn of the 20th century as the country transforms into a modern nation. This critically acclaimed page-turning tale of love, sacrifice, and courage has been awarded a prestigious Clarion rating of 4 out of 5. It celebrates the women and men who dared to stand up to tradition, corruption, and colonial power grabs. Reviews A Tense and Absorbing Iranian Drama "Silenced Whispers is a provocative drama with a heart-wrenching and emotional storyline that is gripping and affecting. Bellisario's excellently crafted tale also provides an illuminating insight into the harsh and oppressive social landscape of early 20th century Iran." -Booklife A Historical Novel Relevant to Our Time "Silenced Whispers" is a fascinating read from start to finish. Author Afarin Bellisario's distinctive and narrative-driven storytelling style raises her novel to an impressive level of literary elegance." -Midwest Book Review Riveting "Silenced Whispers is a riveting and beautifully written tale. Afarin's prose is purely lyrical at times. The story will have you on the edge of your seat. Don't skip this book!" - Raquel Howard, host of The Madness Cafe Podcast Gripping Gohar is strong, resilient, passionate, and driven to do right even when it clashes with her desires. I was on pins and needles as I turned the pages to discover what might happen to her in this suspenseful novel filled with complex and compelling characters. - Jennifer Bolanos, host of The Madness Cafe Podcast A Sumptuous Feast "Silenced Whispers , by debut novelist Afarin Bellisario, is a sumptuous feast of a book deeply felt romance, political intrigue, fascinating history, and a female protagonist set in early 20th-century Iran whose goals and desires make her a heroine we can easily root for today. It's a must-read!" - Meta Wagner, author of What's Your Creative Type? A Captivating Cross-Cultural Love Affair "A captivating and page-turning tale of a cross-cultural love affair set in Iran at a time of political upheaval and societal change by an author with intimate knowledge of her homeland...Magnificent for its historical, political, and cultural breadth." - Gina Vild, Author of The Two Most Important Days Midwest Book Review A historical novel relevant to our times "Silenced Whispers" is a fascinating read from start to finish. Author Afarin Bellisario's distinctive and narrative-driven storytelling style raises her novel to an impressive level of literary elegance. "A captivating portrayal of Iran's turbulent early twentieth century, Silenced Whispers follows a courageous young woman as she navigates love, politics, and societal expectations in a gripping, historical narrative." -Foreword Reviews While other Iranian girls of the early twentieth century cook, sew, and hope for marriage, Gohar climbs trees, reads books, plays tar, and dreams of escaping her forsaken desert town. But when her forbidden correspondence with a non-Muslim boy is discovered, fear of banishment forces the fatherless Gohar to welcome the protection of Saleh Mirza, a powerful nobleman. At 14, she marries his choice of husband, a 55-year-old politician—expecting to enter her marital home in a white chador and leave it in a white shroud. But fate takes her to Tehran, where she is dazzled by the electric lights and gramophones but appalled by the misery, poverty, corruption, and foreign meddling. Endangering her life and marriage, she jo