Khomeini, Sade and Me | Abnousse Shalmani

About Khomeini, Sade and Me by Abnousse Shalmani

Immerse yourself in a fierce, dazzling, and profoundly liberating literary testament with Khomeini, Sade and Me. Written by Iranian-born author and journalist Abnousse Shalmani, this extraordinary debut memoir serves as an exhilarating feminist call to arms, mapping a courageous rebellion against systemic oppression through the transformative power of literature and free expression.

Plot Summary & Key Themes

Born into an atheist family in Tehran, young Abnousse Shalmani’s childhood was defined by an early, fiery refusal to comply with the rigid expectations of the post-revolutionary state. Frank, provocative, highly intelligent, and unyielding, she openly resisted mandatory veiling, pushing her family to flee the strict constraints of the ruling Islamist regime by seeking political exile in Paris. Anticipating a life of absolute liberty in the West, a young Shalmani looks forward to her fresh start, only to soon discover that Western society presents its own complex sociological dynamics, cultural frictions, and constraints on female autonomy.

When the global fallout from Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel thrusts religious and gender politics back into the European public sphere, Shalmani encounters a familiar ideological battleground. Seeking a vocabulary to defend her personal autonomy, she discovers a profound sanctuary within classical French literature. By recruiting the radical, uncompromising works of Enlightenment-era iconoclasts like the Marquis de Sade, alongside masterworks from Colette, Victor Hugo, and Simone de Beauvoir, this narrative evolves into a powerful manifesto tracking the immigrant experience, the defense of secular identity, and the reclaiming of the female body in public space.

Book Details & Specifications

• Title: Khomeini, Sade and Me
• Author: Abnousse Shalmani
• ISBN-13: 9789462380516
• Format: Paperback (World Editions UK Edition)
• Genre: Literary Memoir / Feminist Non-Fiction / Contemporary Cultural Studies
• Themes: Political Exile, Intellectual Freedom, Secularism, Women's Autonomy

Why Read This Book?

• A Passionate Feminist Manifesto: Highly praised by Le Monde as pure combat literature that brilliantly overthrows restrictive moral dictates with bold laughter and creative joy.
• Acclaimed International Pedigree: Recognized on the global stage as a PEN Translates award-winning title, celebrated for its stylistic balance of modern pacing and classical literary flair.
• Essential World Literature: An indispensable, thought-provoking addition for biography collectors, students of Middle Eastern histories, and anyone exploring the delicate intersections of faith, literature, and identity.