37 pages • 1 hour read
The Blind Owl
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Book Brief
148
Novel • Fiction
Iran • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat is a fragmented, symbolic narrative told by an unreliable narrator who falls into mental and physical decline due to unfulfilled desire for a beautiful woman he ultimately murders. The narrator recounts two parallel versions of events: his increasingly withdrawn and substance-dependent life haunted by visions of the woman, and his troubled domestic life leading to the murder of his wife. The book contains depictions of sexual assault, murder, necrophilia, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and stillbirth.
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
30,116 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sadegh Hedayat's The Blind Owl is heralded as a masterpiece of Persian literature, known for its profound existential themes and dark, surreal narrative. Critics praise its poetic prose and psychological depth. However, some find its abstract style and bleak outlook challenging. Readers appreciate its emotional intensity but note it may not appeal to everyone.
Who Should Read The Blind Owl?
Readers who appreciate existentialist and surrealist literature, such as Kafka’s The Metamorphosis or Camus’ The Stranger, will be drawn to Sadegh Hedayat’s The Blind Owl. Its haunting narrative and exploration of themes like despair, isolation, and the human psyche cater to those who enjoy dark, introspective works.
30,116 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Old Man (Uncle/Father/Hearse-Driver/Peddler)
The Old Man (Uncle/Father/Hearse-Driver/Peddler)
A recurring figure who appears in various forms throughout the narrative, representing traditional Iranian culture and religious imagery. His presence is intertwined with the narrator's family history and personal transformation.
The Young Woman (The Image/The Dancer/The Narrator's Wife/The Narrator's Mother)
The Young Woman (The Image/The Dancer/The Narrator's Wife/The Narrator's Mother)
A multifaceted female figure who appears in different roles, each reflecting aspects of the narrator's desires and fears. She is central to the narrator's obsession and personal mythology.
Nane-Joon
Nane-Joon
The narrator's aunt and nanny who cares for him after he is abandoned by his parents. She is a supportive maternal figure, involved in both his upbringing and his treatment during illness.
148
Novel • Fiction
Iran • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
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