Chicken with Plums is the poignant and evocative story of Nasser Ali Khan, a renowned musician who gave up his life for music and love.

The best selling author of Persopolis turns her considerable storytelling power and talent to telling the story of her great uncle, a famous Iranian musician. When his wife breaks his tar, Nasser Ali Khan tries to replace it but nothing has the same sound. He takes to his bed heartbroken and prepares to die. He lies in bed eight days and during each of these days he is visited by friends and beset by memories of the past.

These vignettes of his eight days in bed are lushly and emotionally told with concise, heartfelt writing and astoundingly simple yet rich illustrations. Nasser Ali Khan is conflicted, moody and romantic. The misunderstandings and trials of the family are It’s absolutely powerful and moving. As we follow Khanâ’s memories, we slowly learn the truth of his life and of love lost.

The story takes place in the Iran of the 1950’s with flashes of the family here in this time. There is humor, candor, pain and conflict. One of the most moving pieces in the book to me was the part where Khan is sure his favored and spoiled daughter is praying for him when in fact, the only one praying for him is his son that he thinks little of. I also loved the illustrations of Khan’s fantasies about Sophia Loren.

I loved it! It was like a Greek tragedy with a twist.

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