Medusa of the Roses

In Medusa of the Roses, debut author Navid Sinaki weaves a bold narrative steeped in ancient myths while navigating themes of queerness, desire, and violence in contemporary Tehran. The story follows Anjir, a romantic and petty thief determined to find his missing boyfriend, Zal, amid the oppressive realities of a society that criminalizes their love. As Anjir grapples with his identity and the societal constraints around him, he embarks on a perilous journey through the city's underbelly, encountering figures from his past and facing moral dilemmas that challenge his sense of self. This gripping tale combines poetic vulnerability with noirish grit, marking Sinaki as a compelling new literary voice.