At the Alinea offices we like to tamper with the rules and we decided to include Iran in our Arab literature series. In spite of what some people may think, Iran is not an Arab country. So maybe we cheated a little, but can you blame us? Iranian / Persian culture is best known for its literature. From the classical poets to the new feminist writers, prose to poetry, natives or expats, it was hard to figure out just what we liked best. So we sat down and ran through the pages of this month’s selection and ultimately figured out that there was something to be found in Iranian literature, especially that of the last 50 years, that went beyond liking a book. We found sadness and courage, a sense of loss and belonging. It almost felt as if all the Iranian writers that ever were, were humming along together, and humming an incredibly sad tune. I personally couldn’t think of anything else for days, the struggle of a people, the hard life of exile, days on end spent in prisons for defending their basic civil rights. I may not be able to do much to make the world a better place but I at least hope this issue of Alinea will help extend awareness and knowledge and bring Iran out of the “Axis of Evil” clichés that most of us seem to believe in. Iran is not always political, it isn’t only about the revolution, and literature is but an access point to a culture and a society whose members live, love, die and ultimately lead a life that is the same as elsewhere although slightly different.