Critical Praise

"Unflinchingly, Khadivi limns the emotional and physical brutality of the tribal-suppression campaign and Reza’s splintering psyche in language both fierce and poetic."

—Catherine Fox, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Laleh Khadivi is genuinely gifted and ruthless with that gift. We are all so fortunate that she is, for it takes both talent and ruthlessness to delve this deeply into an epic life."

—Dorothy Allison, author of National Book Award finalist Bastard Out of Carolina

"The Age of Orphans is an arresting, powerful, transformative, unflinching, epic and deeply affecting novel. I cannot recommend it enough. A major voice to watch."

—Chris Abani, author of Graceland and The Virgin of Flames

"This is a stunning debut…unflinching, gorgeously poetic, intimate yet with a wondrous sweep of history. To read the tale of Reza Khourdi is to take a journey deep inside the darkest cavity of the heart."

—Cristina Garcia, author of National Book Award finalist Dreaming in Cuban