Medusa of the Roses

Life in modern-day Tehran is dangerous for boyhood friends Anjir and Zal, who have been secret lovers since they were teens. In Iran, being openly gay is a crime punishable by death. Even so, the government makes one exception, allowing trans people to undergo gender-affirming surgery and go on to live relatively unencumbered lives. Enamored with the mythical Tiresias, who was transformed into a woman by the goddess Hera, Anjir agrees to the surgery and plans on living with Zal as husband and wife. But before Anjir can go through with it, Zal disappears, leaving a puzzling note behind. Anjir must unravel the mystery of Zal’s disappearance, navigating violence and hostility as he seeks answers. Sinaki’s debut examines the terrifying experience of living outside societally sanctioned gender roles. Michael Crouch narrates this gritty novel, bringing out its understated wit and conveying the danger of living in a society governed by strict and often contradictory laws. Drawing upon Persian and Greek myths, Sinaki has written a story that intertwines the ancient and modern, with Crouch’s narration enhancing the dread-filled atmosphere.