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ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Most of us will know of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 and the shock that a passenger plane could be simply shot out of the sky - in 2014 by the Russians (aka Russian-backed forces). I was not aware of Iran Air Flight 655 which met a similar fate in 1988, being shot down by the US Navy (aka the Americans) and killing all 290 passengers on board.
This deep and rich story has tones of parable as it relates the life of young Amin, living in a regional town in Iran and experiencing the discoveries and joys coming via a clandestine friendship with Parveneh, the girl across the road. Cultural tensions are at play, both generational and also between the religious and secular facets of society. Amin's family then suffers a cataclysmic loss of their son Hamid, who was aboard Iran Air Flight 655. Already a young adult struggling to form some sense of identity in the face of the vibrant Parveneh, the death of his older brother (who was en route to the US to study) changes everything and sets Amin adrift. Some big themes are explored in this excellent novel. Craig
‘This powerful work cements Asgari as a vital voice in Australian literature’—Books + Publishing ‘You are a writer, aren’t you? I have a story for you.’
‘I’m working on my own story, and—’
‘It’s a true story, not one of those made-up, pointless whatever it is that you people write.’
‘It’s called fiction, and though I appreciate that you want to—’
‘Appreciate?’ He smirks. You don’t have to appreciate anything or talk as if you’re being interviewed by CNN. I’ll tell you my story, then it’s up to you whether to write it or not.’ This is the story of Amin as he falls in and out of love and the choices he makes in the shadow of his brother’s death, lost in the tragic downing of Flight 655.
Amid the chaos of 1980s Iran, he witnesses the senselessness of violence and the enduring power of sorrow. As he grapples with the trauma, Amin discovers a profound truth: stories can both heal and deceive. Through the lens of literature and the harsh realities of politics, he questions the blurred lines between truth and lies.
A tale of disillusionment and the human spirit, Desolation explores the enduring power of storytelling in the face of tragedy. PRAISE FOR ONLY SOUND REMAINS:
‘Only Sound Remains is a formidably intelligent novel ... Radiating warmth and wisdom, it is at once playful and erudite. Hossein Asgari is a truly remarkable new voice.’—Dominique Hecq
‘Written with great clarity, quietude, and compassion, yet epic in scope, Only Sound Remains is compelling, moving, and revelatory.’—Arnold Zable
Text by:
Hossein Asgari Imprint: Ultimo Press Country of Publication: Australia Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 153mm,
Weight: 362g ISBN:9781761154133 ISBN 10: 1761154133 Pages: 272 Publication Date:26 August 2025 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Hossein Asgari studied physics and creative writing. His debut novel, Only Sound Remains, was shortlisted for both the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. He works as a postdoctoral researcher at UniSA Creative.
Reviews for Desolation
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Most of us will know of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 and the shock that a passenger plane could be simply shot out of the sky - in 2014 by the Russians (aka Russian-backed forces). I was not aware of Iran Air Flight 655 which met a similar fate in 1988, being shot down by the US Navy (aka the Americans) and killing all 290 passengers on board.
This deep and rich story has tones of parable as it relates the life of young Amin, living in a regional town in Iran and experiencing the discoveries and joys coming via a clandestine friendship with Parveneh, the girl across the road. Cultural tensions are at play, both generational and also between the religious and secular facets of society. Amin's family then suffers a cataclysmic loss of their son Hamid, who was aboard Iran Air Flight 655. Already a young adult struggling to form some sense of identity in the face of the vibrant Parveneh, the death of his older brother (who was en route to the US to study) changes everything and sets Amin adrift. Some big themes are explored in this excellent novel. Craig
'Desolation is a short, searing novel that refuses to flinch from the telling of difficult histories. It weaves biography, history, fiction and academia into a bold metafictional narrative grounded in the lives of ordinary people yet resonating on a global scale. This powerful work cements Asgari as a vital voice in Australian literature and will appeal to readers of Behrouz Boochani, Hisham Matar and Ocean Vuong.' * Books + Publishing *
